Georgia Public Service Commissioner and Vice-Chairman Tim Echols joins Talkin' Trades from Georgia Construction Careers.  Hosts Rut Walker from Union Up and Randy Beall from Atlanta North Georgia Building Trades Council talk to Commissioner Echols about the future of Georgia's energy needs, Labor's role in that future, and the economic impact that decisions made in Georgia's energy sector will have on the families who make their living in the construction trades. We talk about Plant Vogtle, Plant Bowen, nuclear energy, alternative energy, electric vehicles and more in an excellent and informative podcast.

Talkin' Trades welcomes John Perez, President and CEO of Union Auto Program.  UAP is a company specifically trade union members to be purchase a vehicle with special pricing and benefits that are only available to our union brothers and sisters.  John talks about the process, what UAP is all about, how members can take advantage of it, and the steps to be on your way to a better way to buy a car.

Comfortable retirement with plenty of money to do what you want with your life for years after you retire is one of the reasons why tradespeople join a  union.  But are you prepared? How important is retirement planning for someone in the union trades? How much should a journeyman save for retirement?  When should you begin saving as a young journeyman, or even as an apprentice, without compromising the cash flow you need to live your life? Should you have long term care insurance as a tradesperson? How many ways can you draw social security (the number will shock you!) and when are you eligible to do so?  How do you manage debt as you move toward retirement?  Larry Boggs from American Retirement Solutions works exclusively with union crafts and he  joins the "Talkin' Trades" podcast to discuss these questions and more.  It's well worth the 17 minutes. You can reach Larry at 404-234-6950 or [email protected]

Randy Beall, Business Manager for the Atlanta North Georgia Building Trades Council and 33-year veteran sheet metal union member, joins Talkin' Trades to discuss the role of ANGBTC in the community, in promoting business opportunities in the trades, and political issues facing the union trades on Capitol Hill. Having recently met with Governor Kemp's staff, Randy shares insights on issues facing local unions and how he and his staff advocate for unions and working families in Atlanta and North Georgia. We also discuss the new upcoming project called "The Gulch" in Atlanta, the idea of casino gambling in Georgia, the local skilled trades unions role in building the new Teamsters building as a 100% union job, the Georgia Building Trades Academy Youth Build Program and more.

Georgia Construction Careers' Talkin' Trades Podcast Episode 1 welcomes Terry Newsome, Jr., Business Manager for United Association of Plumbers, Pipefitters, & HVACR Service Technicians Local 72.  Hosts Randy Beall of Georgia Construction Careers and Rut Walker from Union up discuss the opportunities for service technicians and plumbers particularly in a red-hot 2021 construction market in Georgia.  Terry talks about the advantages in being a UA member, the pension and benefits, type of work, how to get into the apprenticeship program, training opportunities, and more.