We are joined by Jennifer and Amanda from 100K Ideas to discuss how the organization helps entrepreneurs develop their ideas into successful businesses. 100K Ideas is a team of hobbyists, thinkers, and inventors with a mission to help passionate innovators create products/services and startups of their own through mentorship.

In this episode, we sit down with Scott Jedele, Administration Manager with apprenticeship expansion, department of labor and economic opportunity. Scott explains what LEO does, what registered apprenticeships are and how they fit within LEO, how they are involved in the process and the value to employers.
To learn more, visit https://www.michigan.gov/leo/.

In this episode, we speak with Rick Mason, Training Director with Flint and Saginaw Electrical JATC. Rick discusses with the JATC does, as well as electricians role, working conditions, occupations offered and the application process.

In this episode, we speak with Apprentice and training coordinator for the Michigan bricklayers and Allied Crafter workers training center, Howard Hipes. 

Howard guides us through the advantages of an apprenticeship, learning many things before you ever see them on the job site, so when you do see them, you’ve already had an introduction to them, and you know what’s going on.

He explains working conditions based on the different job types, talks about the many occupations that are under the bricklayers’ umbrella, dispelling myths around unions, and also discusses women coming in the trades more and more.

Next, Wanda sits down with Shawn O'Neil, the director of training for the painters and allied trades union. Shawn discusses what the painters and allied trade union does, how they find work, the typical working conditions of the job and the occupations that are offered in the union. 

For more information, please visit http://www.iupatdc1michigan.org. 

In this episode, we sit down with Matt Rajda, the training coordinator for the Iron Workers local 25 training center as he explains his role, what ironworkers do, the different occupations in the trade as well as the working conditions and application process. 

For more information, please visit http://www.ironworkers25.org/apprenticeship 

In this episode, we speak with, Russel Davis, Michigan State Director for the United States Depart of Labor, Office of Apprenticeships. 

Russel discusses what makes up an actual registered apprenticeship and breaks down what the five basic components of an apprenticeship, and how they differ from any other work-based trainings.   

If you are an employer looking to start a registered apprenticeship program, learn more at apprenticeship.gov.

In this episode, apprenticeship manager Wanda Bigelow sits down with John Hartwell, Career and Outreach Coordinator for Operating Engineers for 324 and talks about what operating engineers do and what an exciting trade it is to be in, every day being a new day.

John also walks us through the apprenticeship process, and the career process in the union, and working conditions. With an earn while you learn model, and pride in the trade, work ethic and leadership skills will take you anywhere.

In this episode, we sit down with Lynn Coleman, Director of Michigan Laborers Training and Apprenticeship Institute and Joel Archibald, Business Manager for Laborers International Local 75.

Lynn and Joel explain the construction trade, work ethic, and the importance and need of working from the ground up. 

For more information on the Michigan Laborers’ Training and Apprenticeship Institute, please visit  https://mltai.org. 

For more information on the Laborers International local, please visit https://www.mi-laborers.org

In this episode, we sit down with Quentin Bishop, Executive Director of Lapeer Economic Corporation (LDC).

The LDC provides business services that are tailored to meet specific needs and has workforce partners like us, Pure Michigan Talent Connect, as well as WDA to ensure talent and businesses are connected.

Quentin explains the need of shifting our perspective of apprenticeships away from being only traditional trade jobs to a more diverse, multi-industry setting.

To learn more about Lapeer Development Corporation, please visit http://www.lapeerdevelopment.com or contact Quentin directly at [email protected] or on his cell 313-310-7634.