Engineer and Educator Advocates for Skills-Based Education, Mindfulness, and Personal Accountability in Modern Workplaces

SALEM, NH / ACCESS Newswire / January 2, 2026 / As industries across the United States face growing skills gaps, workforce burnout, and declining hands-on experience, engineer and former educator Anthony Helinski is urging professionals, educators, and organizations to place renewed focus on practical learning, process thinking, and personal responsibility.

Drawing on years spent teaching science and engineering, managing large infrastructure projects, and building custom woodworking pieces by hand, Helinski believes many modern systems have drifted too far from fundamentals.

"Success is measured by the difference you can make in others' lives," Helinski says. "That starts when people understand how things actually work, not just how they're supposed to work."

A Timely Issue Backed by Data

Recent workforce data underscores Helinski's concern:

• A 2024 U.S. Chamber of Commerce report found that over 70% of employers struggle to find workers with practical problem-solving skills

• Studies show that hands-on, inquiry-based learning improves long-term retention by up to 40%

• Burnout rates among professionals remain high, with nearly 60% reporting disengagement linked to a lack of purpose or control

Helinski says these issues are connected.

"When people don't understand the process, they lose confidence," he explains. "And when confidence drops, performance follows."

Lessons from the Classroom to the Jobsite

Helinski spent seven years teaching middle school science and reading in Lawrence, Massachusetts, where he became known for creative, inquiry-based lessons. His classrooms were filled with live animals and hands-on projects designed to spark curiosity and accountability.

Later, as an engineering and design teacher, he guided students through robotics, rockets, and real-world design challenges.

"I constantly asked students and teams the same questions," Helinski says. "What worked? What didn't? And what can we change?"

That mindset followed him into the gas utilities industry, where he managed complex pipeline remediation projects and helped design onboarding and operator qualification programmes.

"Did it work? Was the outcome optimal? Did it create a ripple effect?" he adds. "Those questions apply everywhere."

Craft, Mindfulness, and Leadership

Outside of formal roles, Helinski's woodworking practice reflects the same principles. Each custom piece requires planning, patience, and review.

"Everything starts with self-care and mindfulness," he says. "If you can master your own awareness, the work follows."

He believes leadership is less about hierarchy and more about behaviour.

"Too many people wait to be told what to do," Helinski notes. "But real impact happens when someone takes responsibility in the moment."

Rather than calling for sweeping reforms, Helinski encourages simple, personal action:

• Learn how the systems you work in actually function

• Ask direct questions when outcomes don't match expectations

• Reflect after each project: what worked, what didn't, and why

• Invest time in hands-on skills, not just credentials

• Prioritize self-care to sustain long-term performance

"Take the moment and define it," Helinski says. "Or the moment will define you."

As industries evolve and automation increases, Helinski believes practical thinking and human accountability will matter more, not less.

"Skills transfer when values stay constant," he adds. "And when people show up prepared, everyone benefits."

About Anthony Helinski
Anthony Helinski is a Salem, New Hampshire-based engineer, former educator, and woodworking entrepreneur. He holds a Bachelor's degree from Suffolk University and two Master's degrees from Lesley University in General Science and Education. His career spans teaching, engineering, project management, and hands-on craftsmanship, with a focus on practical learning, process improvement, and leadership through accountability.

Media Contact
Anthony Helinski
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SOURCE: Anthony Helinski