Welcome to The Blue Collar Academy
At The Blue Collar Academy, we believe in second chances and building a brighter future through hard work, determination, and skill. We are dedicated to empowering individuals—especially those transitioning back into society—with the tools they need to succeed.
Our mission is simple yet powerful: transform lives through trade skill education. We specialize in hands-on training for essential trades, including plumbing, sewer and drain repair, and other high-demand skills critical to maintaining America’s infrastructure.
Why We Exist
The Blue Collar Academy was created to address two pressing challenges:
- Reducing recidivism by providing former offenders with opportunities for skill development and self-sufficiency.
- Supporting America’s aging infrastructure with a skilled workforce prepared for the demands of the trades.
What Makes Us Different
Our programs go beyond teaching technical expertise. At the Blue Collar Academy, we foster a supportive environment that helps individuals rebuild their confidence, reconnect with society, and create long-term success. Through collaboration with established trade professionals and businesses, we ensure our participants receive real-world training that translates into immediate job opportunities.
About Us
The Blue Collar Academy was founded by James Costilow, along with co-founders Scott Barbour and Kenneth Hudson, a team deeply committed to helping others overcome the challenges of reentering society. As individuals who have experienced these struggles firsthand, James, Scott, and Kenneth understand how difficult it can be to rebuild a life without the right skills or support. Their collective journeys fuel the Academy’s mission to provide opportunities for growth, stability, and success.
The founders of the Blue Collar Academy bring a deep understanding of the challenges that individuals face when transitioning back into society after incarceration. This knowledge stems from personal experience with the barriers that arise, including difficulty securing stable employment, rebuilding a sense of purpose, and overcoming societal stigma.
Through first hand exposure, the founders understand that without a structured plan, a marketable skill set, and access to meaningful opportunities, reintegration can feel almost impossible. They’ve seen how the lack of vocational training and resources in many correctional systems leaves individuals unprepared to navigate the competitive job market.
This intimate awareness of the struggles faced by those reentering society is what fuels their passion and dedication to creating pathways for success. They aim to empower others with skills, hope, and a sense of direction—ensuring no one has to face these challenges alone or unprepared. Their vision is rooted in the belief that everyone deserves a second chance to build a better future.
The Blue Collar Academy specializes in offering vocational training in sewer and drain repair, a high-demand field vital to maintaining America’s aging infrastructure. This work not only equips individuals with practical, employable skills but also addresses a nationwide shortage of skilled labor.
More than just a training program, the Blue Collar Academy offers counseling services, drug addiction support, and workplace safety training to ensure participants are fully prepared for the challenges ahead. By focusing on both professional and personal development, James Costilow and the Academy aim to give everyone the tools they need to succeed and thrive.
At the Blue Collar Academy, we believe in second chances and the power of hard work to transform lives.
Contact Us
The Blue Collar Academy
James William Costilow, Co-Founder
Scott Barbour, Co-Founder
Kenneth Hudson, Co-Founder
Info.bluecollaracademy@gmail.c