A nonprofit built on creativity, compassion, and kickstarting possibility.
Introducing the Cate Culp Collective Inc.
What we do…
Preserving History Through Hands-On Education
The Cate Culp Collective Inc. was created to make skilled trades education more accessible to anyone passionate about vintage cars - especially classic Volkswagens. Whether you’re a high school student just starting out, a weekend DIYer, or someone looking to build a new career in restoration, our goal is to help you gain real skills without the gatekeeping.
We focus on:
Affordable, accessible online courses designed for practical use.
Skills-based education that doesn’t require a massive investment.
Supporting young learners, hobbyists, and future tradespeople.
Keeping classic vehicles alive - not just in museums, but on the road where they belong.
Who We’re Here For
Young Learners
High school students curious about trades who need early exposure to real-world skills.
DIY Restorers
Weekend warriors and hobbyists who want to broaden their skill sets, and complete more of the build on their own.
Aspiring Upholsterers
Creative people who want to turn a passion into a trade without the gatekeeping. Or just complete their interior for themselves.
“To provide accessible, affordable education and creative skill-building opportunities to underserved individuals and communities - with a focus on vehicle restoration, interior design, and hands-on vocational training.”
WHY ARE WE DOING THIS?
We believe practical skills should be accessible to everyone—not just those with the right connections, the right money, or the right background. That’s why everything we do is designed to break down barriers and welcome in the people traditional trade education often leaves out.
This includes:
Older adults trying to retrain or shift careers - because it’s never “too late” to start again.
Women who are tired of being told trades are “men’s work.”
LGBTQIA+ folks looking for safe, inclusive spaces to learn without toxic macho bullshit.
Neurodivergent learners (hello, ADHDers and autistic creatives 👋) who need flexible, no-pressure options that don’t assume everyone learns the same way.
Immigrants and newcomers looking to build a career or side hustle without jumping through institutional hoops.
Teens and high schoolers who know they won’t thrive in college but could thrive in a garage, a workshop, or behind a sewing machine - if only they had the tools.
Low-income students and DIY dreamers who have talent and drive, but can’t afford $1,200 “certified” classes just to get started.
Anyone who’s ever felt like a misfit in traditional education, but still wants to make cool shit and learn how to do it right.
This isn’t just about teaching trades. It’s about keeping culture alive. Keeping vintage vehicles on the road. Keeping hands busy and brains engaged. And creating paths forward for people who are often underestimated, dismissed, or priced out entirely.
This is for the ones who don’t fit the mold - and wouldn’t want to anyway.
WHAT COMES NEXT?
That’s the fun part - because it’s all up to YOU! Below is a list of courses that are currently on our ‘to-do’ list. We want to know what you’re most wanting to learn. We will make the most requested courses our highest priority. AND if there’s something else you would rather we teach, you can also send us your suggestions.
How to Install a Suspended ‘One Piece’ Headliner in a VW Beetle
A step-by-step guide to installing either a pre-made or custom suspended headliner in a VW Beetle. All the tips, tricks and tools I use to get my suspended headliners looking tight and smooth.
How to Install a Suspended Headliner in a VW Bus
Same as the previous really, but on a much, MUCH bigger scale.
How to Create Custom Tufted Carpet for Your Classic Car
You saw me do it for Lhia the Ghia, now let me show you the entire process from start to finish that will allow you to make carpet in any colour and style your crazy heart desires.
How to Create Custom Shift Knobs and Dash Knobs (Laminated Acrylic & Cast Resin)
I’ve been fooling around with this for a few builds now, and I’ve learned a lot which I can now share with you.
Introduction to Welding (VW Panel Replacement Focus)
Welding (like sewing) is a skill that requires years of practice to master BUT if you’ve ever wanted to get started but found everything so intimidating and don’t want to be talked down to like an idiot, then Rodney is definitely the man to teach you the basics of welding. You might not be able to take on a whole build after this, but you will learn what you need and the techniques used to start rust repairs on your build.
Introduction to Bodywork and Paint Prep
We’re not gonna lie, bodywork is our least favourite part of the build, but it’s also one of THE most important jobs if you want a flawless finish, and a long-lasting paint job. Rodney will teach you the ‘what comes next?’ after metal work. The ins and out’ of fillers, primers, sanding blocks, and sandpaper.
Building a Chassis for a Swing Axle Beetle
In this course we will teach you how to fully assemble your swing-axle Beetle (or Ghia) chassis, and talk about suspension, shocks, sway bars and steering. We’ll show you how to upgrade from drum to disc brakes, and talk a bit about wheel sizes, narrowed beams and how we go about getting bigger wheels where they weren’t intended to go ;)
About Us
The Cate Culp Collective Inc. is a scrappy, small-but-mighty nonprofit run by a husband-and-wife team of car nerds, misfits, and makers. We’re not a big institution. We don’t have a boardroom. We just believe that skilled trades should be taught by real people, at a price that doesn’t make you choke.
Every course we make is based on what we do for a living - restoring and building classic cars from scratch - and we’re sharing that knowledge with anyone who wants to learn. Especially the ones who’ve been told they don’t belong here.
Cate Culp Collective Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. That means any future donations go directly toward course development, accessibility programs, and building a support system for people entering trades who’ve traditionally been left out - women, immigrants, neurodivergent learners, queer kids, broke DIYers… you get the idea.