*Back by popular demand* Listen in as I share my story and why I decided to start this podcast, as well as the importance of storytelling when looking to influence and engage people in your apprenticeship program. Listen in to learn how to find great stories, the key components of an effective story, and the science behind why storytelling works to gain influence, focus, and transformation. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/32dHB8X...
Aug 25, 2020•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast Rob Giese is the Director of Training for Greater Wisconsin carpenters and has nearly 30 years of experience in the construction industry. Rob believes that providing well-trained tradespeople to help shape the communities they live in starts with healthy, personal relationships in their training center. Today he joins the show to discuss the value in excellent customer service and taking care of each other. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3iESjw3...
Aug 18, 2020•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast Today we are talking to a risk management associate who regularly works with apprenticeship programs, Michael La Fleur. With over 30 years of insurance industry experience, Michael specializes in risk transfer for labor management and nonprofit organizations. He joins the show today to answer common questions regarding this pandemic and how it impacts insurance, as well as how to protect yourself from risk in general. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/...
Aug 11, 2020•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast Though audits are important and necessary, they are often met with dread and unease. But the truth is, audits can help you grow and become better at what you do. Chris Wassenaar, an auditor with DeBoer, has seen this firsthand, and he joins me to discuss the role of an auditor, as well as how audits can reveal important information that will help your program thrive. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/30YkLlb...
Aug 04, 2020•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast Today I have attorney Mike Ledbetter here to discuss health and welfare funds and how they work within apprenticeship programs. Mike is a partner in the law firm Ledbetter Parisi LLC, which specializes in the representation of multi-employer benefit funds—primarily construction industry plans located in the Midwest. Mike has spent 25 years working in the industry and devotes 100% of his professional practice to Taft-Hartley trusts. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: h...
Jul 28, 2020•57 min•Transcript available on Metacast How will we continue preparing our students for future careers when we can no longer meet with them face to face in classroom settings? Thomas Pfundstein, Ph.D., has been unknowingly preparing for this for years. With over 15 years of experience in education, Thomas is the Director of Curriculum and Instruction at Finishing Trades Institute. Today he joins the show to discuss his specific interest in online education and how we can leverage technology to increase academic content standards. You ...
Jul 21, 2020•51 min•Transcript available on Metacast Today, I’m excited to be talking to Ryan Bradt, Assistant Training Director at Puget Sound Electrical Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (PSEJATC). Ryan has worked in apprenticeship since 2005 as an instructor and a program administrator, and he will be sharing his wealth of knowledge on the industry. Specifically, he will share how he got his team through COVID and what they are planning for the future as we pull out of this. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: h...
Jul 14, 2020•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast Thomas Fischer, Executive Director of the North Atlantic Carpenters Training Fund, joins me today to share his story and shed some light on how to create impactful learning experiences in the trades. Today he shares how he handles competency-based instruction within his training programs, as well as observations and evaluations from his instructors that have paid off massively over the years. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/2ZsFblt...
Jul 07, 2020•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Joining us today is the Director of Apprenticeship for the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 81, Howard Baker. With years of experience, Howard has navigated the current situation with the pandemic remarkably well. In this episode, he shares the steps he has taken to ensure his apprentices are still working toward their goals despite the setbacks of COVID. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/2NyEAsQ...
Jun 30, 2020•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast Today we are discussing collecting procedures for your apprenticeship program. Your board of directors is going to be responsible for the money owed—regardless of whether or not you are getting that information—so it is important to put policies in place to protect your company. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/2zGTOJe...
Jun 23, 2020•10 min•Transcript available on Metacast When I am working with leaders of an apprenticeship program, the first thing we work on is how to clarify their priorities. Whether they are working on strategic planning or goal setting, we go through what this may look like on a broader scale. So today I want to discuss the things you should be focusing on every single week to move your program forward and reach your goals—something I call “minding your GAP.” You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3f6pvKW...
Jun 16, 2020•6 min•Transcript available on Metacast How can you be certain your service providers are qualified to be working for your apprenticeship program? Today I want to share the steps you can take to ensure your service provider is giving you all the information you require to avoid any unnecessary risks. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/2XrQNpl...
Jun 09, 2020•13 min•Transcript available on Metacast What happens if your apprentice is concerned about being exposed to COVID-19 on the job site because s/he has a preexisting condition or a family member with a compromised immune system? In this episode, I want to share some information surrounding this question as we move forward through this ever-changing pandemic. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/2Ma9WFy...
Jun 02, 2020•18 min•Transcript available on Metacast Many of you have switched up the way you are providing your education during COVID-19. You may be holding off on your training, or potentially waiting to go back online shortly. Whatever the case, I want to touch base on experiences within your apprenticeship program and explain how to create something unique and memorable for those who are coming in and training with you. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/2WRwMI9...
May 26, 2020•12 min•Transcript available on Metacast When we see a downturn in the economy, we usually also see an increase in litigation. It’s an unfortunate truth that must be addressed and prepared for, so today I’m talking all about what to expect in the near future in this area, as well as what you can do to protect your program. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/2zCokDD
May 19, 2020•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast I’ve had many conversations about the biggest issues people have been facing recently, and today I want to address some of those. At this point, we have gotten past the initial reactions to the COVID pandemic, and we are looking toward the future in regards to potential issues and possibilities. So in this episode, I’m going to cover what training will look like moving forward, how to keep people safe, and more. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/2Wd8NT...
May 12, 2020•16 min•Transcript available on Metacast In the midst of this pandemic crisis where so many people are affected by lay-offs or changes in their industry, a lot of you have reached out to me regarding mental health and the resources available for this stressful time. It is so important for everyone’s struggles to be acknowledged and addressed properly, so today I will be discussing the mental health issues people are running into at this time and sharing some valuable resources to help. You can find show notes and more information by cl...
May 05, 2020•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast Matt Waltz and Tracey Griffith join me today to discuss how to increase diversity using strategic recruitment initiatives in the building trades. Matt is the Chief Operating Officer for WRTP/BIG STEP, a workforce intermediary dedicated to connecting individuals to family-sustaining jobs, and Tracey Griffith is the HR Outreach Manager with Construction Resource Management Inc., whose roles include affirmative action, apprenticeship compliance, community outreach, recruitment, and retention. You c...
Apr 28, 2020•59 min•Transcript available on Metacast Today we are going to be addressing a question we recently received regarding how best to support immigrant employees during this global pandemic. Here to help me answer this question and dive into this topic is Tina Hughes, a passionate advocate and representative of immigrants who exclusively practices immigration law. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/2XHMBCg...
Apr 21, 2020•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast Alex Willis is the CEO of Leadership Surge, where he provides a leadership development program that trains employees in the trades industry to become exceptional leaders. By focusing on areas such as effective communication and performance coaching, Alex teaches people how to make their projects successful, profitable, and safe. Today, he joins the show to share some of his best advice on how to do the same for your program. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://...
Apr 14, 2020•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast As we progress further into this pandemic and steady work becomes a little more uncertain, I want to discuss two different acts that recently came out and how to utilize them within your apprenticeship program. From quarantined employees to employees infected with COVID-19, there are now emergency funds that can be used to help your employees. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/2JwTCxq...
Apr 07, 2020•14 min•Transcript available on Metacast In light of everything that has been happening over the past couple of weeks with COVID-19, I want to bring you some inspiration and thoughts to drive you even further into your apprenticeship programs. Despite this pandemic changing the way everyone is doing business and how we are living our lives, there are steps we can take to continue to run our businesses in a successful and fulfilling way. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3bpBCB8...
Mar 31, 2020•12 min•Transcript available on Metacast I get a lot of questions about grants, ranging from how they are actually issued to where you can go to get them, who is a grant writer, and much more. So in this episode, I’ve got Emily Schott joining me to help bring clarity to grants and the process of attaining them. A 3rd-year law student, Emily does a lot of research on grant funding on the federal level and best practices for positioning yourself to receive this funding. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https...
Mar 24, 2020•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast Many of you have reached out saying you are dealing with harassment, discrimination, and adversity at your jobsite. This is a common issue faced by businesses, but an issue that can be prevented with the correct training. To help me discuss how to implement a positive jobsite culture into your training is someone who has successfully done so in his business: Mike Hawes, the director of Northwest Carpenters Institute. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/2...
Mar 17, 2020•47 min•Transcript available on Metacast Have you been looking to add new members to your apprenticeship program but are unsure how to find the perfect people for your team? Today I will be discussing hiring practices for your apprenticeship program and how to make the perfect job advertisement. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/38YmFoG...
Mar 10, 2020•12 min•Transcript available on Metacast I was recently talking with some colleagues about hiring, and it made me think about one of the most important things that can help you in the hiring process (and in many other ways). That thing is culture. Culture can make or break or break a business or program, and in this episode, I will be outlining why it is so important and sharing steps you can take now to improve your program’s culture. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/37Jinju...
Mar 03, 2020•13 min•Transcript available on Metacast As of December 20th, 2019, a new law was put into place, and it has opened up the opportunity for apprentices and journeymen to use certain funds to pay for training resources. And that means your apprentices may now have a new avenue to help pay for books and tools! Today I will be explaining what that resource is, how it came about, and how you can make the most of this opportunity. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/2SGzwGf...
Feb 25, 2020•11 min•Transcript available on Metacast I’ve gotten a lot of questions lately about audits, and a big one that comes up is: “How can you do it yourself?” So in this episode, I’ll explain what a self-audit is, why you should be doing this regularly, and how you can implement it into your routine. My goal for you is to have you set it up so that if the DOL came in and audited your program, you’re almost bulletproof! You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/2UEVx9Z...
Feb 18, 2020•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast Almost everyone I have talked to has a deep appreciation for someone who helped groom them or took them under their wing while in training. This is such an important concept, and doing it more intentionally with our apprentices and journeyworkers is crucial to the success of apprenticeship programs. Here to talk more about this topic is Vince Sticca, Director of Training for the Chicago Regional Council Apprentice Training Program. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: h...
Feb 11, 2020•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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/2uDTsQP...
Feb 04, 2020•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
