Skilled Trades Playbook by At Your Best
Skilled Trades Playbook presents the candid conversations between the host - Juan Carosso - and folks either successfully working in the Skilled Trades or working in some capacity to help those in the trades to build great careers or thriving small businesses in the Skilled Trades. In these conversations, folks offer their real-world advice, insights, and opinions on how others can succeed in the trades. The intention of the Skilled Trades Playbook podcast series is to bring together voices on all sides of the Skilled Trades/Skills Gap issues to create a broader dialogue about the local, actionable steps folks can take to help close the Skills Gap for themselves, for their families, and for their communities.
Episodes
32 episodes
Ep. 032 - The 3rd session of "Conversations with the Tattooed Electrician" with Donny Metcalf on how to successfully differentiate yourself at the journey level
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 32
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41:23
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.
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.&n...
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Season 1
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Episode 31
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26:00
Ep. 030 - Our first "Conversation with the Tattooed Electrician" Donny Metcalf - Master Electrician, with intro to future planned conversations.
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 30
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20:12
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.
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 29
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29:19
Ep. 028 - The very real, economic impact on local and regional communities from launching a local FAME chapter to train Advanced Manufacturing Techs.
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 28
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43:44
Ep. 027 - Insights and advice from three veterans on how to successfully transition from military service to the civilian workforce.
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 rec...
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Season 1
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Episode 27
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38:26
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.
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 26
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25:12
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.
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 25
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1:01:12
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
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 24
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19:35
Ep. 023 - Success in training Advanced Manufacturing Techs through the FAME program with proven, repeatable results. Conversation with Robbie Heinrich of KYFAME
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 23
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42:33
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
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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36:03
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
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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26:54
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.
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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9:08
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
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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32:01
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
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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45:49
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
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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28:12
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
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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18:56
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
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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18:24
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
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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35:29
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
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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42:09
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
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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37:16
Ep. 011 - Running a successful family contracting business and succession planning. Call with Jeff Markway - Retired General Contractor in St. Louis area
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 ...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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34:51
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
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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33:36
Ep. 009 - How to build a successful, one-man contractor business long-term. Call with Garth Bauknecht - General Contractor in the Atlanta area
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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52:52
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
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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21:06