Alex Torres is the Executive Director of Women In Non Traditional Employment Roles (W.I.N.T.E.R.), an organization that focuses on improving access to high-wage, non-traditional employment for women and youth. Since taking the reins in 2003, she has led a complete transformation of the organization to become more mission-driven and quality-focused. Listen in as we discuss Alex’s path to leading W.I.N.T.E.R. and what she learned about unions and apprenticeship programs along the way. You can find...
Sep 21, 2021•43 min
Darlene Leineweber is a 3rd generation journeywoman at IBEW Chicago Local 134 and the founder of Trade Women Chat, a Facebook community that is 4,300 members strong. She has a really interesting perspective on women in the trades, and she joins us today to dive into the challenges that tradeswomen face and the community they have built to overcome those challenges. Listen in as Darlene shares why she started Trade Women Chat, how it has grown since its inception, and where the future lies for th...
Sep 07, 2021•39 min
Melissa Shetler is the Executive Director of Pathways To Apprenticeship (P2A), an apprenticeship program that works to end intergenerational poverty through access to middle-class union careers. A tireless advocate for worker rights and a committed facilitator of community-labor partnerships, Melissa has a long history of activism and community-building in New York City. Listen in as we discuss how P2A successfully trains and places hundreds of New York City residents in union careers, as well a...
Aug 24, 2021•45 min
Josh Kalina is the Region A Training Coordinator for Iron Workers Union Local 512 based out of St. Paul, Minnesota. In this episode, we’re talking about what being a new training coordinator is like, some of the challenges that the training program has faced due to the pandemic, and how they overcame those challenges and actually improved upon the training program. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/37i10c3...
Aug 10, 2021•41 min
Pat Williams began in the trades in 1979, after having obtained a B.A. degree and working in the social work field. Having dual passions in advocating for people and mechanical hands-on interests served her well. During her 32 years as a Stationary Operating Engineer, she held many positions of leadership professionally, including Vice President of her Local, and in the community. Today Pat joins the show to discuss her advocacy for women in the trades, as well as her work with KickAss Careers a...
Jul 27, 2021•50 min
Jillian Otten is the Director of USA Digital Media, a boutique advertising agency specializing in strategic communications that services labor unions and apprenticeship programs nationwide. She joins us today to discuss all things communication and social media strategy for apprenticeship programs. Listen in as Jillian shares some of the most surprising results she has seen in social media campaigns, the things apprenticeship programs should avoid when it comes to social media, and how to know w...
Jul 13, 2021•41 min
Understanding how the Americans with Disabilities Act affects a JETC is key because, at the law firm, we do see issues regarding this come up a lot with training programs. So in this episode, Abby and Jason will be sharing an overview of the ADA and breaking down the key areas where it comes into play. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3dd9QLB...
Jun 29, 2021•37 min
Has your program been struggling with community engagement and recruiting? If so, then you won’t want to miss this conversation with Chris Busch, who joins the show today to share important insight into the strategies that really work to bring results that help a program thrive. With the new regulations that require increased diversity and collaborations with the community, you will learn how to navigate this properly and effectively. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here...
Jun 15, 2021•42 min
Typically, when someone enters an apprenticeship program, they may be excited about the benefits but not necessarily thinking about retirement right away. Joining the show today is Joshua Davis, former Air Force officer who consults for multi-employer pension plan funds in various industries. He will be sharing tips on how and when to best educate trainees so they end up with a respectable and successful retirement plan. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit....
Jun 01, 2021•58 min
Going through an audit is much easier if you have put in place systems, documents and protective practices. On this episode, we are joined again by two guys who have been on the show to share their knowledge and tips on audits before. Chip Harris, Partner and Chairman of the Benefit Plan Audit Services Group at Ruben Brown in Kansas City and Glenn Goodnough, Managing Partner of the Las Vegas area Rubin Brown Office. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3w...
May 18, 2021•50 min
While working on a home renovation project, Tarn Goelling discovered an interest in the trades and dove into learning more. She became an inside wire woman, then later an international representative for IBEW. Tarn now serves as the Director of Civic and Community Engagement with IBEW and joins us on the show to share tips and insight straight from her experience and successes in the area of engaging inside and outside the organization. You can find show notes and more information by clicking he...
May 04, 2021•55 min
Pete Teigland is Training Director and an Instructor in the Ironworkers Local #512 Apprentice Program, where he was first accepted as an apprentice in 1993 after getting a degree in Construction Management. He worked in the field for 20 years and has a rich history and unique perspective on the industry. In this episode, Pete shares his wisdom on how the Apprentice Program is trying to attract a more diverse applicant pool, the challenges they face in doing so, and what they are doing to overcom...
Apr 20, 2021•42 min
Mike Carson is the Training Director of Cedar Rapids Electrical Apprenticeship, which offers individuals the opportunity to “earn while they learn” and gain experience under the supervision of an experienced journeyperson. Mike has held this position for fifteen years, and worked in the commercial/industrial electrical industry for 26 years prior. In this episode, we talk about how Cedar Rapids Electrical JATC dealt with the pandemic and balanced the desire for apprentices to learn with the need...
Apr 06, 2021•28 min
Chip Harris is a Partner in RubinBrown’s Assurance Services Group and Chair of RubinBrown’s Benefit Plan Audit Services Group, which provides employee benefit plan audit services across the country to more than 300 plans per year. Glenn Goodnough is the Managing Partner for RubinBrown’s Las Vegas office, as well as a Partner in RubinBrown’s Assurance Services Group, providing audit, tax, and consulting services to numerous employee benefit plan audits. Both Chip and Glenn bring years of experien...
Mar 23, 2021•45 min
Mariellie Mundy is the founder and CEO of the Mariellie Mundy Company, an organization that helps entrepreneurs and founders build professional transferable value within their business. She previously served as the CFO of Miller Electric Company and WPC Industrial, and was the Vice President of Finance and Accounting for The Pineapple Corporation of Northern Florida. In this episode, Mariellie shares why financial wellness is so important—especially when it comes to those within the construction...
Mar 09, 2021•41 min
In today’s episode, Jennifer is back to speak with Jason Kotlyarov about military rights with apprentices and how that impacts your apprenticeship program. She and Jason dive into important background information on USERRA, as well as some commonly unknown aspects of it that you should be aware of. You’ll learn the various conditions that are important to remember from onboarding new members to giving notice or allowing for military leave. You can find show notes and more information by clicking...
Feb 23, 2021•25 min
Joe Cadwell is a retired commercial diver with 35 years in the trade and over ten thousand hours logged underwater. He is presently employed by the Pacific Northwest Carpenters Institute, based in Portland Oregon, as an apprentice coordinator and instructor. A passionate advocate for education, leadership development, and professionalism in the trades, Joe joins the show today to discuss why the younger generation has an amazing opportunity to be great leaders and why it is no longer enough to s...
Feb 09, 2021•43 min
Kilah Engelke began her career in construction intending to fund her college education. Having always been competitive and an athlete, she took an immediate liking to the challenging and fast-paced environment, and has now been in the industry for 22 years. Now Kilah proudly serves as Business Agent and Recording Secretary for OPCMIA Local 599, she joins the show today to discuss her passion for empowering women to get into trades. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: h...
Jan 26, 2021•35 min
Jay Rowell of HIRE360 joins the show today to discuss all things recruitment, training, job placement, diversity, and more. He has done a lot of work focusing on connecting people with opportunities and ensuring that these opportunities are more widely accessible to a variety of people, and he has some great knowledge to share. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3hz6AuU...
Jan 12, 2021•35 min
We’re back for the second half of my discussion with Jason Kotlyarov from Germaine Law Firm about cyber security. In this episode, Jason outlines how to best manage the risks that your apprenticeship program may face. He gives some really important insight on how you can better equip yourself to avoid these risks in the first place and keep your program secure. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3mBVlTm...
Dec 29, 2020•31 min
Jason Kotlyarov is an attorney with Germaine Law Firm and an expert on all things cybersecurity. He’s joining me today for part one of a two-part interview focusing on how apprenticeship programs across the nation can protect themselves from cyber-attacks. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3m2Q1b9
Dec 15, 2020•39 min
We’re focusing in on Wisconsin today with Tim Anhalt, the Training Director at Wisconsin NECA-IBEW Apprenticeship and Training. Tim has been with the electrical industry since 1993, but had a rather unique journey to get there. From a military career right after high school, and then through college, to eventually landing in the telecommunications industry, he found the opportunity to work with the apprenticeship program and combine his hands-on experience with his background in education. Liste...
Dec 01, 2020•40 min
Today, I have the pleasure of talking with Dan Bukiewicz, President of the Milwaukee Building and Construction Trades Council, about the Code of Distinction that has been put in place in Milwaukee and why it is so important to enhance and sell your value. Dan compares the trades business to the major leagues and discusses the important areas that need to be focused on that will transform the industry in the future. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/32f...
Nov 17, 2020•1 hr
Gene Kent is the Director of the IBEW NECA Technical Institute out of Chicago with Local 134, as well as the Director of Apprenticeship at Powering Chicago. With his 24 years of experience in the field, he has a wealth of knowledge about going big with recruitment for apprenticeship programs and changing the narrative on trade careers, which is exactly what he is here to talk about today. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/35D2PPc...
Nov 03, 2020•41 min
Jennifer Sherer, PhD, is the Director of The University of Iowa Labor Center. Over the past year, she directed the launch of the Labor Center’s new state-wide Quality Pre-apprenticeship Program, which actively recruits women and workers of color to prepare for apprenticeship training. Today she joins the show to discuss their plans to launch a network of Iowa Women in the Trades and shares how we can start needed conversations about equal opportunities and equity within the labor market. You can...
Oct 20, 2020•50 min
My two guests today are what I refer to as relationship experts in the banking world for multi-employer plans. Mark Rathbun and Crystal Edwards have a lot of experience in multi-employer funds, what those relationships look like and how they provide assistance to the clients they work for. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3j513vY...
Oct 06, 2020•31 min
With a lack of hands-on training on the job being so common, virtual reality simulations are becoming one of the most important solutions to break into the field. So in this episode, I will be discussing this technology with Doug Donovan, the CEO and co-founder of Interplay Learning, an online learning platform designed specifically for the skilled trades. Doug shares insight into this area of tech and explains how it has developed over the last few years to include the trades. You can find show...
Sep 22, 2020•40 min
*Back by popular demand* Did you know that the average person makes 35,000 decisions in a day? Additionally, our decision making power diminishes the more we have to decide, which is why having the right systems, policies, and procedures in place can give your apprenticeship program an incredible edge. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/32houfn...
Sep 15, 2020•32 min
*Back by popular demand* Today Dr. John Gaal and I continue our conversation and dive into some major issues in the construction industry and trade programs. In this episode, you’ll hear about the importance of understanding the role of mental health and financial literacy in trade work. John and I discuss the different ways these issues pop up and the massive benefit that comes with providing thoughtful solutions that attract, retain, and nurture safety and productive work. You can find show no...
Sep 08, 2020•49 min
*Back by popular demand* Today I am joined by Sam Henson, Senior Vice President and Director of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs for Lockton Companies. After spending almost ten years with the U.S. Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration, Sam has conducted more than 150 civil and criminal investigations of employee benefits plans, service providers, and fiduciaries. In this episode, he shares what it was like to be a DOL investigator, what actually happens during DOL audi...
Sep 01, 2020•1 hr 4 min
