Talking Training With The Trades

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 show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3ziTXvb

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 the community, as well as women in the trades.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3DxWogM

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 as how they train participants to not only become apprentices, but also activists.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3jYzkyK

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

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 and Tradeswomen’s Archive at California State University, which she co-founded.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3xXyzvt 

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 whether your communications strategy is actually working.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/36vZIK8

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

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: https://bit.ly/3wa935s

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.ly/3fjTTV7

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/3w7FfWF