# A New Generation of Craftsmen with Character w/ Dave Hataj

- Show: [The Manufacturing Executive](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive)
- Published: 2024-07-16
- Length: 36m
- Episode: 214
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2024-07-16-a-new-generation-of-craftsmen-with-character-w-dave-hataj
- Listen: https://www.spreaker.com/show/the-manufacturing-executive#episode-aa6757ff-96bf-43df-b1c6-aba2f0096971

## Summary

Dave Hataj, founder of Craftsman with Character and president of Egerton Gear, explains how his pre-apprenticeship program addresses the manufacturing labor crisis by pairing high school students with mentors to build character and technical skills. The initiative, which has secured a $2 million, three-year agreement with the U.S. Navy to scale nationally, focuses on hiring for character and integrity to transform shop floor culture and reduce turnover. Hataj details the program's success in turning around at-risk students and creating a pipeline of loyal, skilled workers for suppliers in the submarine industrial base.

## Chapters

- [0:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2024-07-16-a-new-generation-of-craftsmen-with-character-w-dave-hataj#t=40) Introduction: Dave Hataj and Egerton Gear
- [3:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2024-07-16-a-new-generation-of-craftsmen-with-character-w-dave-hataj#t=209) Hataj's Journey: From Dark Shop Culture to Manufacturing Leader
- [9:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2024-07-16-a-new-generation-of-craftsmen-with-character-w-dave-hataj#t=540) Transforming Company Culture: Hiring for Character Over Skills
- [11:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2024-07-16-a-new-generation-of-craftsmen-with-character-w-dave-hataj#t=684) Creating Craftsman with Character: The Pre-Apprenticeship Model
- [16:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2024-07-16-a-new-generation-of-craftsmen-with-character-w-dave-hataj#t=1005) The Navy Partnership: $2M Agreement and National Scaling
- [21:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2024-07-16-a-new-generation-of-craftsmen-with-character-w-dave-hataj#t=1305) Student Impact: Transforming At-Risk Youth and Retaining Staff
- [27:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2024-07-16-a-new-generation-of-craftsmen-with-character-w-dave-hataj#t=1641) Vision for National Scale and Community Engagement
- [31:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2024-07-16-a-new-generation-of-craftsmen-with-character-w-dave-hataj#t=1910) Advice for Manufacturers: Becoming a Mentoring Culture

## Topics

- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Crowdfunding & preorders](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/crowdfunding)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Egerton Gear Inc (company)
- Craftsman with Character (product)
- Guerrilla 76 (company)
- U.S. Navy (company)
- Friedland (other)
- Scott Forge (company)
- Morris Group (company)
- Oshkosh Truck (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [219: How Skillwork Is Like Travel Nursing for Manufacturing Talent Featuring Brett Elliott and Tim Raglin of Skillwork](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-01-14-219-how-skillwork-is-like-travel-nursing-for-manufacturing-talent-featuring-bret) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [Leading the New American Manufacturing Renaissance with Andrew Crowe](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-03-30-leading-the-new-american-manufacturing-renaissance-with-andrew-crowe) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [The Critical Shift: Bridging the Generational Gap in PCB Design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2024-03-26-the-critical-shift-bridging-the-generational-gap-in-pcb-design) (OnTrack)
- [Hire Diverse Talent or Risk Going Out of Business Featuring Equity Machine Works Founder Justin Sherman](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-12-07-hire-diverse-talent-or-risk-going-out-of-business-featuring-equity-machine-works) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [302: Philly's Answer to the Talent Shortage (LIVE in King of Prussia, PA)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-09-15-302-phillys-answer-to-the-talent-shortage-live-in-king-of-prussia-pa) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)

## Citing this page

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