That's Riggin' Awesome Podcast

Mike and Pat discuss the CNC machined parts industry with president of Groth Manufacturing, John Groth. John vents his frustration at the lack of mechanical skills students have when leaving secondary education - lack of industrial arts programs. He discusses the benefits of computerized machining while also expressing the need to know how to do the job without the assistance of a computer. He says that all of theses skills can be taught on the job, and hopes young people who are mechanically inclined, who like to make things, will be attracted to the industry.

Larry Smith, Crane Operator and Project Manager for Wilkerson Crane Rental in Kansas City, KS, and member of International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local Union 101 discusses his start in the trades along with how others can get started as well as why it might be a fit.

Larry accredits his father for instilling in him a solid work ethic and financial values that led to more opportunities for advancement in the crane industry, financial success, and overall enjoyment and accomplishment throughout his life - even though he graduated high school as soon as possible as he didn't feel that it was making the most of his time or abilities. Apprenticeship training is one path, Larry says, to achieve your goals and dreams toward a stable, secure future.

He discusses options for industrial career entry, and also talk about the pros and cons along the way. A very open and honest episode that Larry hopes will assist others in learning more about the industrial trades, and as he says, "give it a shot... what have you got to lose?"

That's Riggin' Awesome Links:
Website: www.RigginAwesome.com
Podcast: https://rigginawesome.buzzsprout.com/
Vidcast: https://www.YourTube.com/c/thatsrigginawesome
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RigginAwesome
LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thats-riggin-awesome

Episode Sponsor: Wilkerson Crane Rental
The premier crane rental company of the greater Kansas City area. Their fleet includes cranes, from 11-tons up to a 500-ton hydro, tower cranes, material hoist(s), and their most recent acquisition, an MLC-300 crawler. They service construction sites, cell towers, plus wind energy projects, striving to meet your safety and budgetary goals, every time.
www.WilkersonCraneRental.com | (913) 239-7030

Annie Huffman, International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local Union #701 apprentice with 8 months on  the job, discusses her work with crane set up, maintenance, and signal. She talks about what inspired her to work with cranes and heavy equipment, and how she got started in this trade. Annie opens up about her apprenticeship, the job itself, and what it's like to be a woman working in the skilled trades. If you're already working in the industry, or are interested in learning more about apprenticeship and working with cranes, heavy equipment, rigging, or the skilled trades in general... you don't want to miss this episode. 

A father with 4 college bound kids. How in the world can this be accomplished without sacrificing retirement while limiting high-interest debt to his kids?

Topics covered:

· The college story for this dad

· His children’s plan for college

· Kids be discouraged or not be exposed to other opportunities besides college

· How does a 4-year degree compared to the skilled tradesman financially in the long run?

Topics covered:
·What is it like being a probationary elevator union apprentice
•What path lead her to the Elevators Union?
•How to get into the Trades
•Dealing with sexism and lack of women in the trades 
•Advice for joining the skilled trades
•Latinas In the Trades
•Artistic side of the trades

Links to programs mentioned in this episode:
Chicago Women in Trade (CWIT): https://cwit.org
Jane Adams for men and women: https://www.jane-addams.org
International Union for Elevator Constructors (IUEC). Local 2: http://www.iuec2.com

Topics covered:

·        Why was there a need for this rigging training aid?

·        Competitors competing for the same market?

·        How does this compare when looking at AR/ VR training?

Topics covered: 

While in college for 3 years Mike was a Teamster helping to pay for school. He did not complete his degree; however, he decided he wanted to become an operator and went into the IUOE L.U. 139 and applied.

Was constructing Miller Park in Milwaukee in July of 1999, when a terrible crane (Big Blue) tipped over with a load of 500 tons causing the deaths of (3) Iron Workers, members of the L.U. 8.

Mike was instrumental in getting students and schools involved with Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin, founded in 2016. They have a pipeline of approximately 70 students from 20 school districts (www.buildingwisconsintogether.com) 

Non-union companies versus the benefits that Mike and his union address

Other companies mentioned by Mike who are big supporters of DCA:

• Michels  https://www.michels.us/
• Boldt https://www.theboldtcompany.com/
• Miron https://miron-construction.com/
• Dawes https://www.allcrane.com/WI/Milwaukee/DawesRiggingCraneRental/
• Walsh Group http://www.walshgroup.com/

Stats are showing that there is currently a shortage of 400,000 welders. What will that mean for owners, project budgets, and all the way down to the consumer?

George “Red” Gilmartin has been a professional rigger for over 40 years. We talk about how he got his start and how he will be able  to leave a thriving company to his son, who is following in his footsteps.

Pat and Mike sit down with Jeff Steiner of Bigfoot Construction Equipment. We discuss his military start, into becoming an electrical lineman, then onto a career in making crane pads and matting with his father.

Episode Links:
Bigfoot Construction Equipment, Inc.
Woodstock, IL 60098
https://www.outriggerpads.com/

That's Riggin' Awesome
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