On October 14th YouTube star and video creator Scott Wadsworth, known online as “The Essential Craftsman,” will deliver presentations on NMCC campus about the importance of skilled trades and developing grit. The presentations are part of NMCC’s annual Open House event, which is open to community members and those interested in enrolling in courses at NMCC.
Over the past four decades Wadsworth exposed himself to all manner of professions, working as a carpenter through every phase of commercial and residential construction, an elk hunting guide in Wyoming, a truck driver, welder, steel fabricator, logger, sawmill operator – and the list goes on. It wasn’t until he discovered blacksmithing — the original “essential craftsman,” as he describes it — that he felt compelled to share his skills and the wisdom he’s gathered along the way.
Wadsworth is now known across all corners of the internet as “The Essential Craftsman,” and runs a YouTube channel with 1.2 million subscribers that hosts hundreds of videos, ranging from “HVAC: Heat Pump and Lines Install” to “Adults Take Responsibility.”
As Wadsworth explains it, “I grew up without television until age 15 and learned to love to read. That love for reading provoked a hunger for knowledge.” That led him to enroll at a university, but he eventually discovered a deep interest in carpentry, which set him on the path to becoming the skilled tradesman he is today.
Wadsworth posted his first YouTube video on January 3rd, 2016 under the title “200lb Chambersburg Blacksmith Power Hammer.” The video now has over 340K views. The shaky camerawork and grainy audio show Wadsworth in his forging shop in Roseburg, Oregon against the musical backdrop of melodic fiddle. At the time he was trying to integrate his passion for blacksmithing with his construction business, but never intended to become an icon of any sort.
The valuable tips and wise insights in his videos earned Wadsworth more than a reputation as a skilled worker; he became recognized as someone who can advocate for the value of lifelong learning and finding meaning through everyday tasks. “I have learned most of what I know from working with hundreds of other people and carefully watching what they do and listening to what they say. I’ve never been afraid to try things. One mantra is: If you don’t know how to do something, start doing it, and by the time you’re done you’re going to be pretty good at it,” he said.
During his trip to visit NMCC, Wadsworth knows he’ll be speaking to many high school students and young adults. “There are things I wish I would have known then,” he said. “There are counterintuitive truths about small changes we can make in our attitude and our priorities that can make up incalculable differences over 10, 20, 30 years.
I would like to share some things about living a blue-collar life with a family and children, and the unforeseeable implications of some of the choices we make about how we apply ourselves in our day-to-day work. There are aspects of our life that can seem mundane but are actually very important.”
While promoting all trades and skilled work, Wadsworth originally connected with the college through the plumbing and heating program. Instructor Loren Gordon, a fan of Wadswoth’s YouTube channel, reached out and introduced himself. The quick friendship led Loren to extend an invitation to visit the college. “I find myself now with thousands of friends who I have not yet met, but who I know I would be compatible were I to meet them,” Wadsworth said.
To RSVP for NMCC’s 2022 Open House on October 14th, please call Admissions at 207-768-2785. The Essential Craftsman will present three times throughout the day, at 10am, 11am, and 4pm – each lasting approximately 30 minutes.
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