For Jeff Makey, continuing education isn’t just a box to check—it’s a tool for building better teams.
Through cLearn, a training and consulting company focused on the construction and building industry, he has helped trade professionals across Western North Carolina build skills, strengthen teams, and approach their roles with greater confidence. That work earned Makey the 2025 Educator of the Year honor from the Builders Association of the Blue Ridge Mountains (BABRM).
“We believe that continuing education doesn’t have to feel like a nail in the foot,” Makey says. “It should be informative, interactive, and maybe even a little bit fun—or at least a valid excuse to take a day off.”
From the Jobsite to the Classroom
Makey did not set out to build award-winning training programs when he started his career. After framing houses as a teen, he moved into fire and rescue, where he took on leadership roles and began training others in emergency response. That’s when he found his footing as an instructor.
“I realized I was good at teaching people,” he says. “I could organize training in a way that made it click. And I really loved doing it.”
That realization carried into the classroom. While studying at Western Carolina University, Makey worked with the university to create a custom undergraduate degree in industrial training and education design. He later went on to develop a Swift Water Rescue certification recognized by the U.S. Park Service and U.S. Forest Service.
As his career evolved, Makey returned to the construction industry as a licensed general contractor, where he began to notice a gap in how continuing education was delivered.
“We were training people to build homes but not helping them build careers,” he says. “There was so much focus on getting the job done, but very little on developing the people doing it.”
In 2019, he founded cLearn to address that gap.
A Better Way to Train
With cLearn, Makey set out to change how continuing education works, designing programs that keep participants engaged and involved.
“Most builders don’t want to sit through PowerPoint presentations. They’re mandated to be there,” Makey says. “So we said: ‘Let’s respect their time and give them something meaningful.’”
Courses span both technical and business topics, such as energy efficiency, structural systems, employee retention, pricing strategy, and leadership development. Sessions are built around discussions, real-world problem-solving, and short, focused content that reflects how adults actually learn.
“We don’t have students. We have participants,” Makey says. “And half the time, they’re the real experts in the room.”
A Commitment That Extends Beyond the Classroom
When he’s not in the classroom, Makey stays actively involved in the local building industry, serving as Secretary of BABRM.
Following Hurricane Helene, that involvement took on a whole new meaning. Makey partnered with fellow BABRM members to offer free training on water restoration and on negotiating with insurers, helping local contractors navigate the early stages of recovery. Sherwin-Williams provided the venue and helped promote the event, while a production company volunteered to film the session, extending its reach beyond those in the room.
The result was a fully donated, high-impact learning experience designed to meet a real need.
“It wasn’t about branding or business. It was about doing the right thing,” Makey says. “Everyone pitched in. It was a true collaboration.”
For Makey, that kind of collaboration is at the heart of what makes organizations like BABRM valuable.
“Membership in BABRM offers the chance to gain knowledge from peers, contribute your own expertise, and build lasting relationships,” he says.
Join a Network of Industry Leaders
The Builders Association of the Blue Ridge Mountains is powered by members who are committed to strengthening Western North Carolina’s building industry. Join BABRM to connect with fellow professionals, expand your network, and support initiatives that help shape the future of building in our region.
