“This Old House,” the granddaddy of home renovation shows, returns this Thursday with a look at the nuts and bolts of restoration and a peek at the future of the trades. In “Westford: A Family Affair,” the team tackles two common household headaches: a tired fireplace in need of a facelift and a room begging for a fresh coat of paint. As usual, the “This Old House” crew takes viewers through each step of the process, from prepping the surfaces and mixing the perfect shade of paint to fixing stubborn cracks in the plaster. It’s practical advice delivered with the easygoing charm that has made the series a mainstay for DIYers for nearly five decades.
But this episode isn’t just about hammers and paintbrushes. Host Kevin O’Connor takes a trip to the Williamson College of the Trades, a Pennsylvania institution dedicated to providing students with the skills needed for careers in the trades. O’Connor chats with some recent graduates, perhaps providing a welcome dose of optimism for those concerned about the future of skilled labor.
Tune in to PBS this Thursday, May 15th, at 8:00 PM ET.
