Help shape the future of education operations
We're building a nationwide report of facility rentals and event cost recovery in education. Your input will help shape the benchmarks - and you'll get early access to the full results.
- <10 min
How Does Your District Compare?
We're building a nationwide report of facility rentals and event cost recovery in education. Your input will help shape the benchmarks - and you'll get early access to the full results.
Bridging the Talent & Training Gap
Hiring is tough. Training is tougher.
If you work in school facilities, you’re probably feeling it.
Join us for an expert discussion on “Bridging the Talent and Training Gap”, where industry leaders share real-world strategies for building the next generation of skilled trades professionals.
- How City Schools of New Rochelle is mentoring and hiring high school students for summer help
- How SkillCat is partnering with organizations to upskill their trades teams
- How to start recruiting young talent right inside your own buildings
- Why skilling up your current team is easier than you might think
Our Speakers
Keith Watkins is a seasoned facility operations leader with over 25 years of experience driving operational excellence in K–12 and higher education environments. As the former Director of Facilities at New Rochelle City School District and a Certified Director of Facilities (CDF), Keith has developed and led workforce training initiatives, mentorship programs, and staff development pipelines that address real-world hiring and retention challenges in school operations. His leadership has helped schools navigate staffing shortages, build sustainable maintenance programs, and create long-term strategies for upskilling internal teams. Keith’s practical experience and passion for training make him a trusted voice in the conversation around bridging the talent and training gap in education facilities management.
Brendan Arsenault is an experienced school operations leader with a deep background in facilities management and public education. As the Director of Facilities and Operations at Belmont Public Schools and former Assistant Director at the Cambridge Public Schools, Brendan has overseen capital projects, custodial services, maintenance programs, and sustainability initiatives across multiple campuses. He brings hands-on knowledge of managing staff development, vendor coordination, and operational efficiency in complex educational environments. Brendan’s practical leadership and strategic mindset make him a valuable contributor to discussions on workforce development and long-term training in school operations.
