William Schwarz is on the frontlines of helping solve one of construction’s biggest challenges: workforce development. At 36 years old, he is the youngest person to ever serve as executive director of apprenticeship and training at UA Piping Industry College of B.C., overseeing 24 full-time staff, and over 1,100 apprentices. His innovative approaches are helping students find careers in the trades. For example, he developed a program to provide dual credits for part-time training courses for students attending high school. The program allows students, many of which would not otherwise graduate, the opportunity to complete their Level 1 apprenticeship training during class time. William was also instrumental in adapting the college to changing conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recently, he has been working to develop deeper relationships with Indigenous communities so they can access trades careers.