In this episode of Skilled Nation, we sit down with Alayna Chavez, a professional plumber at Parker and Sons, and Kate Glantz, co-founder of Move Over Bob, to explore how women are breaking into careers in plumbing, construction, welding, and other skilled trades and building powerful, high paying futures in the process.

Alayna shares her real story of turning her life around through trade school, landing multiple job offers, and building a six-figure career without college debt. Kate reveals how her platform is reshaping the narrative and connecting women to apprenticeships, careers, and opportunities that most young people do not even know exist.

This conversation dives into:

Why skilled trades are facing a massive workforce shortage

How women are stepping in to fill critical roles

The truth about pay, career growth, and job security

Trade school versus apprenticeship pathways and how to start

Why the college only mindset is leaving opportunity on the table

If you are exploring career options, considering a career change, or want to understand the future of the workforce, this episode is a must watch.

The trades are not defined by gender. They are defined by skill, grit, and opportunity.

In this episode of Skilled Nation, host Jimmy Rhoades speaks with Jessica Bruner of Arouet, a nonprofit organization focused on workforce development, reentry support, and career pathways for justice impacted women. Through vocational training, industry partnerships, and employer education, Arouet helps people transition into meaningful careers in the skilled trades.

This conversation explores how second chance hiring, workforce training programs, and employer partnerships can help solve the skilled labor shortage while rebuilding lives and strengthening communities.

Topics covered in this episode include:

Why the skilled trades workforce shortage is growing

How construction labor shortages impact housing affordability and infrastructure

Workforce training programs that prepare people for trades careers

Why skilled trades jobs offer strong pay, benefits, and career growth

How second chance hiring improves employee loyalty and retention

How nonprofits partner with employers to close the talent gap

Why more women are entering construction and trade careers

Jessica also shares real stories of individuals who rebuilt their lives through vocational training and skilled trades careers.

If you are interested in workforce development, skilled trades careers, second chance hiring, construction industry jobs, or economic mobility, this episode offers insight into how new pathways are being built across the country.

Subscribe to Skilled Nation for conversations with industry leaders, educators, and professionals working to build the future of the skilled workforce.

Season Two takes it further, spotlighting industry leaders, innovation, and the next generation of skilled workers shaping fields from motorsports to aerospace. Because skilled trades aren’t just careers, they’re a way of life, a badge of honor.