Certus Unplugged

Certus

The official podcast of Certus.

Episodes

  1. 02/12/2025

    E11: Data Evolution at Certus: Balancing Technology and Human Touch

    In this episode of Certus Unplugged, host Mike Fazio, Co-President of Workforce180 and Metrix Learning, sits down with Alfred McNair, VP of Integrated Marketing and Data Strategy at Certus, for an insightful discussion about data, technology, and business strategy. The conversation covers a wide range of topics, from personal data privacy and the evolution of programming languages to the delicate balance between sales and marketing teams in modern business. Alfred shares his expertise on data maturity in organizations, the role of artificial intelligence in business operations, and how companies can stay competitive in challenging markets through data-driven decision making.

    19 min

  2. 12/05/2024

    E10: The Best of Both Worlds: Blending In-Person and Digital Training

    In this episode, Mike Fazio, host and Co-President of Workforce180 and Metrix Learning, interviews Dennis Walker, SVP of Instructor-Led Training at Certus, to explore the enduring value of in-person technical training in an increasingly digital world. Dennis shares his journey from working as an electronics technician at Caterpillar to leading Certus' instructor-led training division, which serves over 40,000 maintenance technicians across various industries. The conversation delves into how traditional classroom instruction has evolved to incorporate virtual reality, online learning, and digital simulations while maintaining the irreplaceable benefits of live instruction — particularly in teaching complex troubleshooting skills for electrical, HVAC, and mechanical systems. Tune in to hear valuable insights about the future of technical training and why the human element remains essential in an increasingly digital learning landscape.

    23 min

  3. 09/19/2024

    E09: Upskilling for Success: Navigating the Future of Workforce Training

    In this episode, Mike Fazio, host and Co-President of Workforce180 and Metrix Learning, interviews Holly Falcaro, EVP at Certus. Holly shares her journey from aspiring doctor to successful sales leader, and discusses her role managing B2B sales and operations across various sectors including technical skills, workplace safety, and education. The conversation covers topics such as remote work management, market trends in workforce development, and Certus' comprehensive training solutions. Holly also provides insights into Certus' approach to upskilling, credentialing and professional development, as well as her vision for the future of subscription-based training and growth in construction-related safety compliance.

    16 min

  4. 08/07/2024

    E08: Upskilling in the Digital Age: Certus' Approach to Enterprise Learning

    In this episode of Certus Unplugged, Mike Fazio, Co-President of Workforce180 and Metrix Learning, sits down with Tim Jacobs, Senior Vice President of Enterprise Workforce Solutions at Certus. The conversation delves into the world of enterprise workforce training, exploring how Certus delivers B2B solutions through its TPC Fusion Learning Management System. Tim explains the challenges of onboarding new customers, popular training programs, and the growing need for technical skills in today's evolving workforce. The discussion touches on the impact of retiring workers, the importance of upskilling, and how businesses use training as both a recruitment and retention tool.

    20 min

  5. 07/08/2024

    E07: Driving Change: The Evolution of Online Driver Safety Education

    This episode of Certus Unplugged features a conversation between Mike Fazio, Co-President of Workforce180 and Metrix Learning, and Christine Harrison, a Senior Vice President of Marketing at Certus. Christine discusses the evolution of driver safety and education over her 18-year career in the industry, exploring the shift towards online training and its growing acceptance. She also shares insights into Certus' various driver safety offerings, including defensive driving courses, driver education, and specialized programs. The conversation delves into marketing strategies for these services, touching on SEO, pay-per-click advertising, and the potential use of social media platforms. They also discuss the challenges of differentiating Certus in a competitive market and the motivations behind why people enroll in driver safety courses, highlighting both economic incentives and safety concerns.

    22 min

  6. 05/17/2024

    E06: Bridging the Gap: How Certus Connects Skilled Trades Professionals with Essential Certifications

    In this episode, you'll hear from Sara Chauvette, Senior Professional Services Product Manager at Certus, as she joins Mike Fazio, host and Co-President of Workforce180 and Metrix Learning, to discuss the growing importance of professional certifications in the skilled trades. Sara delves into the increasing requirements for licenses and continuing education across various states, the impact of changing codes and regulations on industries such as plumbing, electrical, and HVAC, and the role of state boards in ensuring safety and modern practices. She also shares insights on the future of professional services, the effects of the housing market on the skilled trades, and the company's efforts to expand into new disciplines and adapt to market fluctuations.

    16 min

  7. 04/17/2024

    E05: Empowering Skilled Trade Experts: The Critical Role of Licensing and Education

    Tune in for another episode of Certus Unplugged as Mike Fazio, host and Co-President of Workforce180 and Metrix Learning, sits down with Amy Bonilla, Professional Services Product Manager at Certus, to discuss the importance of continuing education and licensing in the skilled trades. Amy shares her unique career journey, from finding a job through a newspaper ad to navigating multiple mergers and acquisitions, and how she fell in love with helping people through education. The conversation delves into the challenges of keeping up with constantly changing codes and regulations across different states, the impact of technology on the industry, and the growing demand for skilled trade professionals. Amy also shares her favorite philosophy on the power of hard work and the importance of not just talking about doing things, but actually putting in the effort to make them happen.

    19 min

  8. 03/06/2024

    E04: Notaries in the Digital Age: How Certus' Online Courses are Transforming the Profession

    In this episode of Certus Unplugged, Mike Fazio, host and Co-President of Workforce180 and Metrix Learning, sits down with Derrick Huckleberry, Insurance and Notary General Manager and Senior Vice President at Certus. Derrick shares his fascinating insights into the world of notaries, including how he got started in the business over 30 years ago, the value notaries provide in important transactions, and how Certus is using online courses to train the over 4 million notaries in the U.S. Derrick also discusses the impact economic downturns have had on the notary industry and shares lessons learned as a small business owner during challenging times. Tune in to learn more about this little-known but crucial sector and how Certus is working to support and grow the notary profession.

    21 min

  9. 02/01/2024

    E03: Inside Seller Server: A Look at Safety Training for the Food, Alcohol, and Cannabis Industries

    Tune in for another episode of Certus Unplugged, as Mike Fazio, Co-President of Workforce180 and Metrix Learning, interviews Melissa Smith, Seller Server Senior Product Manager at Certus. They discuss this important vertical, which includes food, alcohol, and cannabis safety training. Melissa explains how she got into this industry through working with her entrepreneurial father, and the effects of COVID on the restaurant business. She also discusses the value proposition of safety training, the evolving cannabis industry, and why there will likely always be a need for seller server training due to high turnover rates in the restaurant industry.

    20 min

  10. 01/02/2024

    E02: Workplace Safety: A Core Service in the Certus Suite

    In this episode of Certus Unplugged, Mike Fazio, Co-President of Workforce180 and Metrix Learning, interviews Matt Wright, Product Manager for Certus' Workplace Safety vertical. Tune in as Matt discusses the importance of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) training courses like OSHA 10 and 30 for construction and general industry workers, and the partnership that Certus has with the University of South Florida to provide online OSHA Outreach training at scale. Discover how more states and companies are requiring OSHA certifications, making them critical for employee safety, company liability, and recruiting.

    18 min

  11. 12/07/2023

    E01: Upskilling the Workforce: Certus' Cutting-Edge Solutions

    Certus Unplugged is a new podcast that provides an inside look at the various brands within the Certus family of companies. In this first episode, Mike Fazio, host and Co-President of Workforce180 and Metrix Learning, is joined by guests Kim Brophy, Executive VP and Academy and Product General Manager for Certus, and Christine Peng, Product Manager of Metrix Learning and Workforce180, to discuss the workforce development industry. Tune in to discover how Metrix Learning and Workforce180 are using innovative online learning solutions to serve job seekers, workers looking to upskill, employers, workforce professionals, and local communities. Mike, Kim and Christine also explore the evolution of online learning, the disruption caused by the pandemic, and why the future looks bright for continuing to embed these digital solutions within the workforce development sphere.

    23 min
  • 11 Episodes

About

The official podcast of Certus.

Information

  • Creator
    Certus
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    11
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2023
  • Show Website
    Certus Unplugged