Forget the usual tech buzz for a moment – the next real gold rush might be in an area many overlook: the skilled trades. Michael Cole, founder of Next Level Technician and a rapidly growing entrepreneur, joins Harmonious at Lunch to discuss why hundreds of thousands of crucial trade jobs (think electricians, plumbers, infrastructure techs) are going unfilled and how this presents a massive opportunity.

Michael dives into the root causes of this skilled labor shortage, from shifts in the education system to outdated perceptions of trade careers. Discover how modern approaches, including leveraging social media to make trades "sexy" and AI to revolutionize customer service, are changing the game. This conversation also explores the powerful entrepreneurial path available within the trades and the importance of creating clear growth blueprints for employees in any industry.

Chapters:

• [00:00] - Intro: The Real Gold Rush Isn't AI, It's Skilled Trades!
• [01:05] - Michael Cole on the Critical Shortage of Skilled Trade Labor
• [02:15] - Why Are Trades Overlooked? Education System & Public Perception
• [04:00] - Modernizing the Trades: Using Social Media to Attract New Talent
• [06:10] - Michael's Entrepreneurial Journey: From Restaurants to Trades Training
• [08:30] - The Trades as a Powerful Path to Business Ownership
• [10:00] - AI's Role: Improving Historically Poor Customer Service in Trades
• [11:45] - Employee Lifecycle: Creating Growth Blueprints for Your Team (Trades & Beyond)
• [14:30] - The "Franchise Within" Mindset: Empowering Your Internal Team
• [17:00] - Next Level Technician's Future: Virtual Training for New Technicians
• [18:15] - Where to Learn More About Next Level Technician

(Note: Please review and adjust these estimated timestamps against your final audio/video edit.)

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Learn more from Michael Cole & Next Level Technician:

• Visit the Next Level Technician website to explore their approach to staffing and training in the trades: https://www.nextleveltechnician.com/

Connect with Next Level Technician:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NLT101
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextleveltechnicians/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/next-level-technician
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nextleveltechnician?lang=en

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Hashtags: #SkilledTrades #WorkforceDevelopment #TradesCareers #TechStaffing #FutureOfWork #Entrepreneurship

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