In this episode, you'll listen to the third session of my "Conversations with the Tattooed Electrician" - Donny Metcalf. He gives his opinions and insights on how differentiate yourself at the journey level in the electrician’s trade. He also d

Ep. 031 - The 2nd session of "Conversations with the Tattooed Electrician" with Donny Metcalf - Master Electrician discussing what it takes to succeed as an apprentice.

Sep 17th, 2019 26m

In this episode, you'll listen to the second session of my "Conversations with the Tattooed Electrician" - Donny Metcalf. He gives his opinions and insights on what it takes to succeed as an apprentice starting out in the electrician’s trade. A

Ep. 030 - Our first "Conversation with the Tattooed Electrician" Donny Metcalf - Master Electrician, with intro to future planned conversations.

Sep 17th, 2019 20m 12s

In this episode, you'll hear from Donny Metcalf - Master Electrician from Waco, TX. We'll be discussing our plans to have a number of future episodes called "Conversations with the Tattooed Electrician." The overarching objective for these conv

Ep. 029 - Recent FAME graduate talks about what it takes to be selected along with what it's like to go through and graduate from the FAME program.

Sep 9th, 2019 29m 19s

In this episode, you'll listen to my conversation with Paula Rodriguez who recently graduated from the FAME (Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education) program and currently employed as an Advanced Manufacturing Technician at Toyota. Paul

Ep. 028 - The very real, economic impact on local and regional communities from launching a local FAME chapter to train Advanced Manufacturing Techs.

Sep 9th, 2019 43m 44s

In this episode you'll listen to my conversation with Tony Davis - Executive Director of the Natchitoches Community Alliance Foundation and member of the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Tony helped lead the effort to laun

Ep. 027 - Insights and advice from three veterans on how to successfully transition from military service to the civilian workforce.

Sep 2nd, 2019 38m 26s

In this episode you'll listen to my conference call with Matt Franz & Chris Coker - both US Army veterans and with Ricardo Garcia, a veteran of the Air Force. We have a fantastic conversation where these guys offer their suggestions and recomme

Ep. 026 - Continuing education for those who go through the FAME program (Federation for Advanced Mfg. Ed.) You can also earn a Bachelor's degree in Business Mgmt. or Lean Operations & Supply Chain Mgmt., while working, typically paid for by employers.

Aug 26th, 2019 25m 12s

In this episode you'll listen to my conversation with Jimmy Croan, who on behalf of Northwood University, works with the FAME program to offer program graduates - who will already have earned an Associate's degree - the opportunity extend their

Ep. 025 - American Diesel Training Centers has created an innovative training infrastructure that provides students with world-class training and employers with world-class, trained diesel technicians. Call with Tim Spurlock - President of ADTC.

Aug 19th, 2019 1h 1m

In this episode, you'll hear from Tim Spurlock on how American Diesel Training Centers took a different approach in developing its training infrastructure and program. Tim describes how they are making a real difference in the lives of those wh

Ep. 024 - Employment services agency delivering great results for job-seekers and employers plus a world-class employment research institute working with the community to help close the Skills Gap. Call with Ben Damerow of Michigan Works! Southwest

Aug 13th, 2019 19m 35s

In this episode, you'll hear my conversation with Ben Damerow, who's is the Director of Michigan Works! Southwest and the W.E. Upjohn Institute of Employment Research. Ben will discuss how Michigan Works! Southwest in conjunction with the Upjoh

Ep. 023 - Success in training Advanced Manufacturing Techs through the FAME program with proven, repeatable results. Conversation with Robbie Heinrich of KYFAME

Aug 5th, 2019 42m 33s

In this episode, you'll listen to my conversation with Robbie Heinrich, who is Engineering Manager at the Louisville, KY plant of Dana Corp. as well as the president of the Greater Louisville Chapter of KYFAME. He talks to us about the incredib

Ep. 022 - Up to 100% FREE post-high school education for graduates of local public schools. The Kalamazoo Promise led the way showing how concerned folks can change lives and their community. Conversation with Von Washington of the Kalamazoo Promise

Aug 1st, 2019 36m 3s

In this episode, we'll be hearing from Von Washington, who is the Executive Director of Community Relations at the Kalamazoo Promise. The Kalamazoo Promise is a pledge by a group of anonymous donors to pay up to 100 percent of tuition at any of

Ep. 021 - Dynamic programs and opportunities available to SkillsUSA members so they can gain real-world experience in the Skilled Trades. Call with Tim Lawrence - Executive Director of SkillsUSA

Jul 29th, 2019 26m 54s

In this episode, you'll listen to my conversation with Tim Lawrence, who outlines the many great programs and opportunities SkillsUSA offers its more than 400,000 members to help them learn about the Skilled Trades by working with over 6000 sch

Ep. 20 - A short episode with advice from a successful plumber to anyone wanting to enter and be successful in the Skilled Trades. Excerpt from Ep. 013 conversation with Spence Rogers.

Jul 26th, 2019 9m 8s

In this episode, you'll listen to a quick bit of advice from Spence Rogers on how to be successful entering one of the Skilled Trades.If you'd like a complete list of all Skilled Trades Playbook episodes categorized by topic please click herePl

Ep. 019 - How Lowe's and its 60+ partners are leveraging the Generation T movement to change perceptions concerning careers in the Skilled Trades. A conversation with Mike Mitchell - Sr. Director of Trade Skills & Learning Development at Lowe's

Jul 22nd, 2019 32m 1s

In this episode, you'll hear from Mike Mitchell, who leads the Lowe's initiative, Generation T, which aims to change the negative perceptions surrounding the construction trades, while connecting students and potential workers to training progr

Ep. 018 - Helping hundreds of folks dealing with homelessness, substance abuse, and/or criminal pasts to turn around their situations to find great jobs in the Skilled Trades. Conversation with Luke Kujacznski - Executive Director of Urban Alliance

Jul 19th, 2019 45m 49s

In this episode, you'll listen to my conversation with Luke Kujacznski, who outlines how the Momentum Employment program offered through the Urban Alliance in Kalamazoo, Michigan. To date, Momentum has helped more than 200 folks rise above thei

Ep. 017 - 44 yr. old single Mom who went back for her GED and is now on track to become an Advanced Mfg. Tech. Call with ShuJuanna Hayes in the FAME program

Jul 17th, 2019 28m 12s

In this episode, you're going to hear my conversation with ShuJuanna Hayes. At 44 years old, she'll be going into her second year of the Federation of Advanced Mfg. Education (FAME) work-based learning program after having gotten her GED and he

Ep. 016 - Further discussion of the programs and support offered by National Association of Women in Construction to its members. Call with Jennifer Sproul - Northeast Region Director & NAWIC National Board Member

Jul 14th, 2019 18m 56s

In this episode, you'll listen to my conversation with Jennifer Sproul. She is the second NAWIC official that I spoke with regarding the opportunities, programs, and support NAWIC offers its members. After my call with Erin Adkins-Oury, I reali

Ep. 015 - Career support and networking opportunities for women working in all sectors of the Construction Industry. Call with Erin Adkins-Oury - President-elect of NW AR chapter of National Association of Women in Construction

Jul 14th, 2019 18m 24s

In this episode, you'll listen to my conversation with Erin Adkins-Oury, who outlines the networking opportunities for women in all areas of the construction industry. She speaks to the mentoring and career enhancing relationships women have ac

Ep. 014 - Conversation about the programs, support and tangible opportunities available through the Associated Builders and Contractors. Call with John Morris - President of the Ohio Valley ABC

Jul 11th, 2019 35m 29s

In this episode, you'll hear my conversation with John Morris. He's the president of the Ohio Valley Associated Builders and Contractors as well as president of the Ohio Valley Construction Education Foundation. John speaks to the opportunities

Ep. 013 - College drop-out who knew college wasn't for him. Instead, he became a plumber and a very successful business owner. Call with Spence Rogers of Rain City Plumbing in Seattle

Jul 7th, 2019 42m 9s

In this episode, you'll hear from Spence Rogers. He dropped out of college after realizing that it wasn't for him. Through a friend discovered that his real passion was being a plumber. In a few short years, he has gone on to build a very succe

Ep. 011 - Running a successful family contracting business and succession planning. Call with Jeff Markway - Retired General Contractor in St. Louis area

Jul 2nd, 2019 34m 51s

In this episode, you'll listen to my conversation with Jeff Markway, a retired, very successful general contractor from St. Louis. Jeff talks about how to become a successful contractor in the high-end, competitive, remodeling arena as well as

Ep. 012 - Effective planning for and executing transition from military to civilian workforce. Call with Matt Franz - Army Veteran building a great career in Supply Chain Management

Jul 2nd, 2019 37m 16s

In this episode, Matt Franz talks about how to effectively plan and execute the process of transitioning from military service to the civilian workforce. He speaks about how to specifically translate the experiences and skills that our military

Ep. 010 - Midwest regional school district excelling at helping to close the Skills Gap by working in community for tangible, measurable, and repeatable results. Call with Dave Campbell - Superintendent of Kalamazoo Regional Education Service Agency

Jul 2nd, 2019 33m 36s

In this episode, I am speaking with Dave Campbell - the Superintendent of Kalamazoo Regional Education Service Agency or KRESA. It is the intermediate school district that supports the special education and CTE program, and other programming ne

Ep. 009 - How to build a successful, one-man contractor business long-term. Call with Garth Bauknecht - General Contractor in the Atlanta area

Jul 2nd, 2019 52m 52s

In this episode, you'll hear my conversation with Garth Bauknecht, who's successful, general constructor in the Atlanta area. Garth gives his candid, honest opinions and insights on the residential construction trades, on how to succeed in good

Ep. 008 - Former media professional driving local effort to help other parents, their kids and the community understand and navigate the opportunities in the Skilled Trades. Call with Terry Bierwirth - My Work My Future

Jul 2nd, 2019 21m 6s

In this episode, you'll hear from Terry Bierwirth - a former media industry professional and Mom, based in Eugene, OR. Terry decided to launch a grassroots initiative - My Work My Future - to help other parents, their kids, and the local/region