Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share Why Skilled Trades Matter More Than Ever
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
Why Skilled Trades Matter More Than Ever
Flintco Talks tackles one of the most urgent challenges facing Central Texas and our U.S. economy in general–the severe shortage of skilled tradespeople.
In this episode you'll meet Kevin Brackmeyer, CEO, Skillpoint Alliance, Tamara Atkinson, CEO, Workforce Solutions Capital Area and Skillpoint graduate Jennifer Cobb, an electrical foreman with FSG Electric in Austin, who shares her compelling personal story.
With more than $25 billion in active infrastructure projects (alone) and a growing demand for 10,000 new skilled workers per year just in Central Texas, the discussion goes deep into how this gap formed—and what’s being done about it. Skillpoint Alliance and Workforce Solutions are helping lead the charge with free, fast-track training programs, and wraparound support services. Our guests also delve into plans for a new Infrastructure Academy in Austin dedicated to training the next generation of our skilled workforce.
Podcast Highlights:
*Jennifer takes us through her journey from teen mom, to laid-off receptionist to foreman at FSG after completing Skillpoint’s pre-apprenticeship program.
* Learn more about the FREE 4–6 week Skillpoint boot camp that prepares students for immediate, upwardly mobile careers.
* How Workforce Solutions Capital Area supports the effort through childcare, transportation assistance, and career navigation.
* And the new Infrastructure Academy in Austin, which is designed to unify employers, educators, and jobseekers around the skilled trades.
Useful Links:
https://skillpointalliance.org
https://www.wfscapitalarea.com
Key Quote:
“You believe that person is out there digging ditches because they lack opportunity—when really, they took advantage of one.” – Jennifer Cobb
00:00 Introduction
00:45 Meet the Guests
03:02 Austin’s Construction Boom
04:23 The 10,000 Workers Gap
06:28 How Did We Get Here?
10:18 The Skillpoint Solution
12:43 Jennifer’s Journey
16:50 Barriers to Entry
20:57 Changing the Narrative
26:01 Reaching the Schools
31:01 Misconceptions About the Trades
36:02 Parents Matter Too
39:33 What 'Hire Local' Really Means
43:31 What Is the Infrastructure Academy?
50:05 How to Get Involved with Skillpoint
53:03 Funding & Support
54:44 Infrastructure Academy Event Info
55:57 Final Thoughts
#workforcedevelopment #skilledtrades #construction #podcast
View all episodes
By Flintco
5
33 ratings
Flintco Talks tackles one of the most urgent challenges facing Central Texas and our U.S. economy in general–the severe shortage of skilled tradespeople.
In this episode you'll meet Kevin Brackmeyer, CEO, Skillpoint Alliance, Tamara Atkinson, CEO, Workforce Solutions Capital Area and Skillpoint graduate Jennifer Cobb, an electrical foreman with FSG Electric in Austin, who shares her compelling personal story.
With more than $25 billion in active infrastructure projects (alone) and a growing demand for 10,000 new skilled workers per year just in Central Texas, the discussion goes deep into how this gap formed—and what’s being done about it. Skillpoint Alliance and Workforce Solutions are helping lead the charge with free, fast-track training programs, and wraparound support services. Our guests also delve into plans for a new Infrastructure Academy in Austin dedicated to training the next generation of our skilled workforce.
Podcast Highlights:
*Jennifer takes us through her journey from teen mom, to laid-off receptionist to foreman at FSG after completing Skillpoint’s pre-apprenticeship program.
* Learn more about the FREE 4–6 week Skillpoint boot camp that prepares students for immediate, upwardly mobile careers.
* How Workforce Solutions Capital Area supports the effort through childcare, transportation assistance, and career navigation.
* And the new Infrastructure Academy in Austin, which is designed to unify employers, educators, and jobseekers around the skilled trades.
Useful Links:
https://skillpointalliance.org
https://www.wfscapitalarea.com
Key Quote:
“You believe that person is out there digging ditches because they lack opportunity—when really, they took advantage of one.” – Jennifer Cobb
00:00 Introduction
00:45 Meet the Guests
03:02 Austin’s Construction Boom
04:23 The 10,000 Workers Gap
06:28 How Did We Get Here?
10:18 The Skillpoint Solution
12:43 Jennifer’s Journey
16:50 Barriers to Entry
20:57 Changing the Narrative
26:01 Reaching the Schools
31:01 Misconceptions About the Trades
36:02 Parents Matter Too
39:33 What 'Hire Local' Really Means
43:31 What Is the Infrastructure Academy?
50:05 How to Get Involved with Skillpoint
53:03 Funding & Support
54:44 Infrastructure Academy Event Info
55:57 Final Thoughts
#workforcedevelopment #skilledtrades #construction #podcast