Welcome to another episode of The Spotlight, a special segment inside the Grit NW Podcast.

I’m Joe Cadwell the writer, producer and host of the show and in today’s episode we will focus on the highly valued trade skill of welding.

Though typically not the first thing you think of when you imagine carpenters at work, welding it is quickly becoming one of the fastest growing trends in the commercial construction industry. 

To help us better understand why this is, I have invited Will Barnes the lead welding instructor at the Pacific Northwest Carpenter Institute, in Portland Oregon to talk with me today.

We’ll start our conversation by learning why this particular skill is now more than ever in such high demand and we will learn about the significant investment PNCI has made in order to meet the needs of our regional union contractors.

Next, we will investigate some of the common key mental attributes proficient welders possess and how these separate them from the average hobby enthusiast.

Later we’ll discuss the various types of projects our Carpenters, EIS specialist, Pile Drivers and Millwrights use their welding skills on. And we’ll discover what challenges they face when taking the techniques and procedures perfected in the weld lab to the less-than-ideal world of an average jobsite.

And we’ll wrap up our conversation by giving you the information you need to work towards adding this highly valuable skill to your arsenal.

The Show Notes

NW Carpenters Union
https://www.nwcarpenters.org/

PNCI.org
http://www.pnci.org

Grit Nation  Webpage
https://www.gritnationpodcast.com

Follow Grit Nation on Twitter
https://twitter.com/gritnationpod

Email comments or suggestions to:
[email protected]

Grit Nation is a proud member of the Labor Radio / Podcast Network
https://www.laborradionetwork.org/ 

Visit our webpage
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Win Stuff!!
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Email Grit Nation:
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Our guest today is Lisa Marx.
Lisa is a journey level scaffolder, a member of the local 70, and a passionate advocate of career opportunities for women in the trades. 

We will open today’s conversation by learning how Lisa first became interested in scaffolding as a career, and how that decision transformed her life for the better when she joined the UBC. 

Next, we’ll delve into what opportunities are available for those interested in becoming a professional carpenter and discuss some of the assistance programs designed to help those just starting to get off on the right foot. 

Later, Lisa will tell about the recent, Trades Women Build Nation Virtual Conference she attended and we'll investigate the additional challenges women may face in the field, 
such as sexism, harassment and implicit bias. 

We’ll then wrap up our conversation by discussing the importance of developing support groups to gain confidence and craft skills in order to be successful on the job.

 Show Notes:
Links for Financial Resources:
Limited financial assistance for qualified individuals for needs such as:
housing, utilities, gas, Union Dues, Tools, Work Clothes, Boots, Books, Driver’s License, etc. See websites for more details.

http://www.seattle.gov/Documents/Departments/FAS/PurchasingAndContracting/Labor/ApprenticeshipGuidebook.pdf

Washington State 211:
Website: https://wa211.org/

WSDOT Scholarship Application: https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/EqualOpportunity/scholarship.htm

Grit Nation  Webpage
https://www.gritnationpodcast.com

Join the Grit Nation MVP Team
https://mailchi.mp/c28da31260b8/grit-nation-podcast-sign-up-page

Follow Grit Nation on Instagram
 https://www.instagram.com/gritnationpodcast/

Grit Nation YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy-gSacdByjCCec1KeWDJgw

Leave a Review on Podchaser
https://www.podchaser.com/GritNation

Email comments or suggestions to:
[email protected]

Grit NW is a proud member of the Labor Radio / Podcast Network
https://www.laborradionetwork.org/ 

Welcome to another episode of The Spotlight, a special segment inside the Grit NW Podcast where we acknowledge those programs that promote the visibility of blue-collar jobs in the commercial construction industry as a first-choice career alternative to the oversold notion that the only way to financial and professional success and security is with a college degree.

On today’s show we will talk about Career Connections, the United Brotherhood of Carpenters program designed to fill the void left by the removal of shop class in many high school’s and middle schools’ curriculum.  

To help us understand this valuable and increasingly important connection to the craft skills needed to build and maintain our nation’s infrastructure and wealth, we have Meg Kilmer from the Pacific Northwest Carpenters Institute, and Riley McCauley from the Northwest Carpenters Union. 

We’ll start our conversation by learning what the Career Connections program is and how the UBC designed it to meet the ever-increasing demand for the skilled workforce of tomorrow.

Next, we will look into how easily the curriculum can be adopted by schools without an established vocational education program, to inspire their students to develop the life skills needed to be successful, regardless of what career path they choose.

We will then discuss the merit’s of working with your hands and how the challenges of construction not only test you physically but cognitively as well as when doing complex layout, measurements, and design/build projects.

Later we will look at how a Career Connections certification can fast track your entry into a pre-apprentice program and what it means to have tangible results upon completion of the course.

And we will wrap up our discussion where you can find out more about Career Connections and how you or someone you know can find a satisfying, and financially rewarding career as a professional carpenter.

The Show Notes

UBC Career Connections Program Information
https://www.citfcareerconnections.org/program-overview

Grit Nation  Webpage
https://www.gritnationpodcast.com

Join the Grit Nation MVP Team
https://mailchi.mp/c28da31260b8/grit-nation-podcast-sign-up-page

Follow Grit Nation on Instagram
 https://www.instagram.com/gritnationpodcast/

Grit Nation YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy-gSacdByjCCec1KeWDJgw

Leave a Review on Podchaser
https://www.podchaser.com/GritNation

Email comments or suggestions to:
[email protected]

Grit NW is a proud member of the Labor Radio / Podcast Network
https://www.laborradionetwork.org/ 

Today I interview the CEO of Windy City Equipment Service, former Hollywood stuntman, podcast host and author of, Blue is the New White - The Best Path to Success, No one told you about- Until Now, Josh Zolin.  

https://blueisthenewwhite.com/

Last month on the show, I aired a two-part series where I was the guest on Josh’s podcast, Blue is the New White. Now the microphones are turned, and Josh will be sharing with us the lessons he learned on how to find success working in the trades. 

We’ll start todays conversation by learning why Josh walked away from an exciting career as a professional stuntman to help his father build and grow a successful multi-state equipment service company with over 50 employees. 

Next, well look into what inspired Josh to write his book and why he feels the notion that having a college degree is the only path to economic success, security and happiness, is an oversold illusion. 

Josh will later tell us what attributes and skills he feels are necessary to be competitive in the trades. 

And we will end our conversation when we find out how Josh’s defines success as a blue-collar worker. 

The Show Notes

Blue is the New White - The Best Path to Success, No one told you about- Until Now
https://blueisthenewwhite.com/

Grit Nation  Webpage
https://www.gritnationpodcast.com

Join the Grit Nation MVP Team
https://mailchi.mp/c28da31260b8/grit-nation-podcast-sign-up-page

Follow Grit Nation on Instagram
 https://www.instagram.com/gritnationpodcast/

Grit Nation YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy-gSacdByjCCec1KeWDJgw

Leave a Review on Podchaser
https://www.podchaser.com/GritNation

Email comments or suggestions to:
[email protected]

Grit NW is a proud member of the Labor Radio / Podcast Network
https://www.laborradionetwork.org/ 

The Show Notes

Grit Nation  Webpage
https://www.gritnationpodcast.com

Join the Grit Nation MVP Team
https://mailchi.mp/c28da31260b8/grit-nation-podcast-sign-up-page

Follow Grit Nation on Instagram
 https://www.instagram.com/gritnationpodcast/

Grit Nation YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy-gSacdByjCCec1KeWDJgw

Leave a Review on Podchaser
https://www.podchaser.com/GritNation

Email comments or suggestions to:
[email protected]

Grit NW is a proud member of the Labor Radio / Podcast Network
https://www.laborradionetwork.org/ 

Welcome to Fight Club. 

Fight Club is the, call to action’ segment within Grit Northwest. 

It’s built to educate and motivate you to protect your ability as a Union Carpenter to provide for yourself and your family. 

Fight Club is not for excuse makers or finger pointers. 

If standing proud, with your brothers and sisters to protect what’s ours is not your cup of tea, you can stop listening now.

Fight Club members care about their careers and aren’t afraid to take action to protect it. They don’t assume or expect someone else to do the heavy lifting needed to strengthen their union and better their lives. 

Fight Club members roll up their sleeves and get involved, they understand and appreciate that a union is only as strong as its members. 

We’re ready to fight for what we believe in. ……….. Are you?

Our guest today are Megan Bloch and Jeff Thorson from the Northwest Carpenters Union. In today’s episode we will discuss the upcoming 2021 contract negotiations, the science and psychology behind crafting an effective member survey and the importance of membership engagement in achieving the wage and benefit agreements that are in alignment with our members expectations.

The Show Notes

NW Carpenters Union
https://www.nwcarpenters.org/

Join Grit NW Nation here:
(could this be any easier?)
https://forms.gle/WEKcA76y3Wegmv8z7

Grit NW is a proud member of the Labor Radio / Podcast Network
https://www.laborradionetwork.org/

For comments, questions or suggestions about the show send an  email to:
[email protected]

You can also share this link to the Grit NW webpage with friends, family members or co-workers and score good karma points, you'll be a better person for it, I promise:
https://Buildnw.org/podcast

Grit NW is now on the Twitter!!
https://twitter.com/GritNw

Grit NW Newsletter
https://www.nwcarpenters.org/news/grit/

Union Home Plus 
Union Home Plus helps union members save money when they buy, sell, or finance their home. 
https://unionhomeplus.org/

Welcome to another episode of, How Does That Work? a special series within the Grit Nation podcast, built to help listeners understand the numerous services, benefits and training available to them as dues paying union members. 

On todays show we will be discussing the structure of union meetings and the merits of attending them. For many people, going to a union meeting can feel a bit intimidating at first. I remember clearly feeling out of place and confused my first meeting. Fortunately, that feeling passed as I began to better understand the need for the various protocols and procedures.

To help us understand how union meeting work we will be talking with Paul Richter, Vice President of the Local 1503.

Paul and I will open our conversation by discussing the importance of these monthly get togethers and why he feels they resemble a typical family dinner.

Next, we’ll look into how union meetings mix tradition with parliamentary process to efficiently conduct business on behalf of the membership. 

Later we’ll look into what minutes, motions and good of the order are, and how each contributes to keep members informed and engaged. 

We’ll, then take a deep dive into how motions are used to move new business forward as well as the importance of attending your local meeting so that you have a say in the decisions that are being made on your behalf.

And we’ll end our conversation by giving you the information you need to be a more active participant at your next meeting.

The Show Notes

Grit Nation  Webpage
https://www.gritnationpodcast.com

Join the Grit Nation MVP Team
https://mailchi.mp/c28da31260b8/grit-nation-podcast-sign-up-page

Follow Grit Nation on Instagram
 https://www.instagram.com/gritnationpodcast/

Grit Nation YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy-gSacdByjCCec1KeWDJgw

Leave a Review on Podchaser
https://www.podchaser.com/GritNation

Email comments or suggestions to:
[email protected]

Grit NW is a proud member of the Labor Radio / Podcast Network
https://www.laborradionetwork.org/ 

In today's episode I continue my conversation with Josh Zolin for his podcast Blue is the New White.

Josh is the author of Blue is the New White - The Best Path to Success No One Told You About - Until Now

Josh and I delve deeper into our thoughts on leadership, personal accountability and what it takes to be a mentor.

We later get into what it takes to make a successful career in the trades.

This is part  two of a two part series.

To hear more personal accounts of people finding lucrative and satisfying careers in the trades, be sure to check out the Blue is the New White podcast on Spotify or in your favorite podcast directory.

The Show Notes

For more about Josh, his book and his podcast click here
https://blueisthenewwhite.com/

Grit Nation  Webpage
https://www.gritnationpodcast.com

Join the Grit Nation MVP Team
https://mailchi.mp/c28da31260b8/grit-nation-podcast-sign-up-page

Follow Grit Nation on Instagram
 https://www.instagram.com/gritnationpodcast/

Grit Nation YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy-gSacdByjCCec1KeWDJgw

Leave a Review on Podchaser
https://www.podchaser.com/GritNation

Email comments or suggestions to:
[email protected]

Grit NW is a proud member of the Labor Radio / Podcast Network
https://www.laborradionetwork.org/