The Lost Art Of the Skilled Trades

Andrew Brown
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Welcome to The Lost Art of the Skilled Trades, the ultimate podcast dedicated to celebrating and exploring the world of skilled trades. Hosted by Andrew Brown, a passionate advocate for the trades industry, this podcast is your go-to source for knowledge, inspiration, and practical advice. Andrew brings a unique perspective shaped by years of hands-on experience, entrepreneurial success, and a deep commitment to elevating the trades. Dive into the fascinating and ever-evolving world of skilled trades, where creativity, problem-solving, and dedication come together to build the world around us. From carpentry and HVAC systems to electricians, plumbers, millwrights, and beyond, every episode uncovers the grit, determination, and artistry that define the people behind these essential professions. Andrew’s journey began with a life-changing moment on September 11, 2001, when he worked alongside tradespeople, first responders, and community helpers at Ground Zero. This experience inspired him to dedicate his life to advocating for the unsung heroes of the trades. Through his company, Andrew has helped provide tools, equipment, and resources to industry professionals worldwide. Now, through this podcast, he continues his mission to spotlight the craftsmanship, hard work, and dedication of tradespeople everywhere. Each episode features in-depth interviews with industry experts, seasoned professionals, and rising stars in the trades. From contractors and electricians to HVAC specialists, plumbers, carpenters, and more, listeners will gain insider knowledge about the skills, tools, and strategies needed to thrive in these essential fields. Andrew also speaks with educators, advocates, and business leaders who are working to inspire the next generation of tradespeople, offering a fresh perspective on the value and opportunities within the trades. At its core, The Lost Art of the Skilled Trades is more than just a podcast — it’s a celebration of a culture built on pride in craftsmanship and an unwavering commitment to excellence. In a time when traditional career paths are overemphasized, this podcast shines a light on an alternative: rewarding careers in skilled trades that offer creativity, financial stability, and the satisfaction of building something tangible. Whether you’re a seasoned trades professional, an aspiring craftsman, or simply curious about the industry, this podcast is your ultimate guide to the untold stories and secrets of success in trades like refrigeration, building, plumbing, and construction. Join Andrew Brown as he celebrates the artistry, resilience, and innovation of the skilled trades — and inspires a new generation to pick up the tools that keep our world running. About Andrew Brown Andrew Brown is a fervent advocate for the skilled trades and is dedicated to addressing and then fixing the trades shortage gap. Through platforms such as social media, podcasts, and live events, he tirelessly promotes the benefits of the trades to students, parents, and educators. Follow Andrew Brown YouTube: https://youtube.com/@andrewbrowntrades LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-brown-b1736a5/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@andrew.l.brown

  1. They Sign Off So You Can Take Off: Inside Aircraft Maintenance with Evita Garces

    1d ago

    They Sign Off So You Can Take Off: Inside Aircraft Maintenance with Evita Garces

    Aircraft maintenance technician Evie Garces climbed from Aviation High School to VP at American Airlines — now she's recruiting the next generation. A mother chaperoning a hangar tour at American Airlines started to cry. Her son wasn't "college material," she said. She thought military was his only option — until she walked into that hangar and discovered the A&P license. That moment is why Evie Garces spends her weekends, evenings, and every spare hour making sure more families know this career exists. Evita "Evie" Garces is Vice President of Line Maintenance at American Airlines, where she oversees the airworthiness of more than 1,000 aircraft and leads 10,000 aviation maintenance technicians across the country. She is the first woman to hold this role at American Airlines — and the first woman named as American's FAA-certificated Director of Maintenance. She grew up in New York City with no aviation background, discovered the field at 13 through a high school catalog, and spent 27 years building her career from the floor up. This episode is for anyone who works with their hands, anyone looking for a trade career that pays six figures without a four-year degree, and every parent who's never heard of an A&P license. Evie breaks down exactly how to get in, what it takes to stay, and why the people who sign off your flight are the most important workers you've never heard of. IN THIS EPISODE (00:00) – Introduction: Evie explains her role overseeing maintenance for a 300-destination airline and what it means to depend on A&P mechanics worldwide. (01:44) – Origin Story: How a 13-year-old girl from New York City found a high school catalog, saw the words "airframe and powerplant," and chose a path that would define her life — without any aviation background at all. (05:38) – The A&P Certification: The three-phase FAA testing process — written, oral, and practical — and the real reasons students make it through the curriculum but never get licensed. (08:56) – Night Shifts and High Stakes: What it actually feels like to work the overnight shift, sign off an aircraft carrying hundreds of passengers, and carry the weight of that responsibility every night. (13:00) – From Floor to VP: The mentor at LaGuardia who nominated Evie for a managing director role in Chicago at 27 without her ever applying — and what she had to learn fast when she got the job. (19:50) – Making More Evies: Why engaging parents and PTAs — not just students — is the missing piece in aviation's workforce pipeline, and the story of a mother who cried in the hangar when she realized her son had options. Key Takeaways An A&P license costs $40–50K and can be earned in under two years — and aviation maintenance technicians at major airlines start at six figures, no four-year degree required. Women make up less than 3% of aircraft maintenance technicians, and Evie argues that lasting change requires women to first reach positions of power — you can't lift others until you've climbed high enough to reach them. A mentor nominated Evie for a managing director role in Chicago at 27 without her ever applying for the job — the right person believing in you before you believe in yourself can define your entire career trajectory. The hardest part of becoming an aviation maintenance technician isn't the job — it's surviving the certification process. Once hired at a major airline, the failure rate drops dramatically. The A&P is the real filter. About the Guest Evita "Evie" Garces is Vice President of Line Maintenance at American Airlines, where she oversees the airworthiness of more than 1,000 aircraft and manages 10,000 aviation maintenance technicians. She is the first woman to hold this role at American Airlines and the first woman named as American's FAA-certificated Director of Maintenance. Evie holds an MBA from Northwestern University and spent 27 years building her career from aviation maintenance technician at JFK International to the executive suite. Evie founded FACES (Female AMTs Connecting for Empowerment and Support) at American Airlines to recruit, connect, and mentor women in aviation maintenance. She serves on the board of a Dallas charter school and regularly opens American's hangars to students, Girl Scout troops, and families who have never heard of the A&P career path — because a single high school catalog changed her life, and she believes one conversation can do the same for someone else. Keywords aircraft maintenance technician, A&P mechanic, aviation maintenance, AMT career, airframe and powerplant license, skilled trades careers, aviation careers, trade school vs college, FAA certification, six figure trade jobs, aviation maintenance salary, Evie Garces, Evita Garces, American Airlines, FACES American Airlines, Women in Aviation, AWAM, Aviation High School New York, aircraft mechanic, MRO, line maintenance, aviation workforce, skilled trades workforce RESOURCE LINKS Evie Garces on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evita-garces-98917b10/American Airlines: americanairlines.comWomen in Aviation International: wai.orgAWAM (Association for Women in Aviation Maintenance): awam.org SUPPORT THE SHOW If you found value in this episode, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Your support helps us keep telling the stories of the skilled trades.

    27 min
  2. The Military-Style Trade School Changing the Workforce Game

    May 26

    The Military-Style Trade School Changing the Workforce Game

    Rob Holmes co-founded ForgeNow to solve America's skilled trades shortage — producing apprentice-level HVAC, electrical, and plumbing technicians in just 6 weeks. The average plumber in Texas is 54 years old. The average electrician is 60. Within 10 years, 50% of today's tradespeople will be on social security. And nobody's talking about it. Rob Holmes is. His answer is ForgeNow — a military-style trades training school in Dallas that runs a full-time, hands-on program Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and graduates technicians ready to work at apprentice level in six weeks. Starting wage: $25 an hour. Graduation rate: 91% — versus 23% at community colleges. Rob is the Co-Founder and President of ForgeNow. A West Point graduate and Army veteran, he built ForgeNow on one simple principle borrowed from the military: train how you fight. Over 1,700 graduates have been placed with 250+ employers across 39 states. ForgeNow is a Department of Defense SkillBridge partner and GI Bill-eligible program — and it's now developing specialized electrical training pipelines for the data center boom happening across Texas. If you know a young person stuck in the gig economy, considering a trade, or trying to avoid $100K in student debt, this episode is the conversation they need to hear. Trades workers, workforce educators, contractors, and parents — this one's for you. IN THIS EPISODE (00:00) – Introduction: Andrew sets up the ForgeNow model — 6 weeks, $25/hour starting wage, and a 91% graduation rate — then welcomes co-founder Rob Holmes. (01:34) – The 6-Week Military Training Model: Rob explains how ForgeNow borrowed the military's full-time, immersive, hands-on format to condense two years of on-the-job training into six weeks. (05:26) – Why ForgeNow Exists: Two foundational assumptions — the bloom is off the rose for college, and legacy trade paths aren't keeping up with contractor demand — and why on-the-job training creates dangerous attrition risks. (11:03) – 91% vs. 23%: How ForgeNow's short, intense format produces a 91% graduation rate compared to 23% at community colleges, and why the 9% who don't finish almost never fail academically. (15:09) – Veterans, SkillBridge & Who Thrives: How ForgeNow became one of the largest DoD SkillBridge providers in the country, why 1,000 of 1,700 graduates have been military, and what qualities predict success for non-military candidates. (24:01) – The Demographic Time Bomb: The average electrician in Texas is 60, 50% of tradespeople hit Social Security in 10 years, and 75% of contractors are for sale — why Rob says young people entering the trades now have no competition for 30 to 40 years, and why "get a trade first" is the best insurance policy anyone can carry. Key Takeaways ForgeNow's military-style training model produces apprentice-level technicians in 6 weeks by going full-time, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. — the same format and discipline employers expect on day one. ForgeNow graduates start at an average wage of $25 per hour ($50,000/year) and commonly earn raises at 6 and 12 months — compared to $12/hour for an untrained helper with no clear path forward. 50% of today's skilled tradespeople will be on social security within 10 years, and 75% of contractors are for sale — meaning young people who enter the trades now face almost no competition for the next 30 to 40 years. The trades are AI-proof, debt-free, and portable — and Rob makes the case that getting a trade first is the best insurance policy a young person can carry, even if college is still in the plan. About the Guest Rob Holmes is the Co-Founder and President of ForgeNow, a trades training school headquartered in Dallas, Texas. A graduate of West Point and a U.S. Army veteran, Rob built ForgeNow on the belief that the military's model of full-time, immersive, hands-on training is the most effective way to launch a trades career. Since its first class in 2020, ForgeNow has trained over 1,700 graduates and placed them with more than 250 employers across 39 states. ForgeNow offers 6-week programs in HVAC, electrical wiring, plumbing, and facilities maintenance. It is a Department of Defense SkillBridge partner and GI Bill-eligible program. Rob and his team are also developing specialized electrical training pipelines to meet explosive demand in the data center sector. Keywords skilled trades training, trade school, HVAC training, electrician training, plumbing training, trades workforce, apprenticeship, workforce development, vocational training, career change, trades career, Rob Holmes, ForgeNow, Forge Now, SkillBridge program, GI Bill trades, data center electrician, trades shortage, workforce gap, skilled trades jobs, facilities maintenance, military trades training RESOURCE LINKS Rob Holmes on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-holmes-554953/ ForgeNow Website: https://forgenow.edu DoD SkillBridge Program: https://skillbridge.osd.mil SUPPORT THE SHOW If you found value in this episode, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Your support helps us keep telling the stories of the skilled trades.

    34 min
  3. Why Aviation Maintenance Is the Next Generation's Best-Kept Career Secret | Jennifer Radtke, Boeing

    May 19

    Why Aviation Maintenance Is the Next Generation's Best-Kept Career Secret | Jennifer Radtke, Boeing

    Aviation maintenance is booming — and Boeing's Jennifer Radtke says the mechanic shortage now outpaces the pilot shortage for the first time in history. 710,000 aviation technicians will be needed over the next 20 years. Airlines are already experiencing delays from maintenance staffing gaps — and that number is only going to grow. Yet most young people still have no idea this career path exists, what it pays, or how far it can take them. Jennifer Radtke has spent 32 years in aviation, starting as a mechanic and working her way to Functional Chief Engineer at Boeing — a role she didn't even know existed when she started. Her message is simple: the trades are not a fallback. In aviation, they're a launchpad. Jennifer Radtke is a Director and Functional Chief Engineer for Product Support Engineering at Boeing. With 32 years in the aviation industry — starting on the wrench-turning side of the business — she now leads technical workforce development, mentorship programs, and the engineering pipeline for one of the largest aerospace companies in the world. If you're in the trades, considering aviation maintenance, or working to build the next generation of skilled workers, this episode is for you. You'll walk away with a clear picture of what this career actually pays, what it can become, and exactly how to navigate it from day one. IN THIS EPISODE (00:00) – Systems, Safety, and What Makes a Plane Actually Fly: Jennifer explains why aviation maintenance is less about individual parts and more about systems thinking — and why the mechanics who maintain those systems are the unsung backbone of every flight. (04:00) – Embracing the Suck: What It's Really Like Under Pressure: New aviation mechanics face intense scrutiny with every maintenance delay — Jennifer shares what it takes to build the thick skin required to perform under pressure while keeping safety and integrity at the forefront. (09:00) – The Mentorship Strategy That Changed Her Career: Jennifer breaks down her approach to mentorship — why she maintains multiple mentors at different levels, asks each of them the same question independently, and never shares their answers with each other. (16:00) – From a Michigan Garage to Boeing: Why She Chose Aviation: Jennifer grew up in an Italian family in Michigan where everyone worked on cars — she chose aviation specifically because she didn't want to do what everyone else was doing, and a movie called Iron Eagle didn't hurt. (21:00) – 710,000 Technicians: The Aviation Shortage Crisis Nobody Is Talking About: For the first time in history, the aviation mechanic shortage outpaces the pilot shortage — Jennifer unpacks what 710,000 unfilled technician roles over the next 20 years actually means for flights, airlines, and the industry at large. (27:00) – From Mechanic to Executive: How Far Can This Career Go?: Jennifer walks through Boeing's technical fellowship pathway — a track that takes you from A&P mechanic all the way to a senior executive role without ever having to manage people, if you don't want to. Key Takeaways The aviation mechanic shortage has officially surpassed the pilot shortage — Boeing projects 710,000 technicians will be needed globally over the next 20 years, making this one of the most in-demand skilled trades careers available today. Mentorship in aviation maintenance works best when you have multiple mentors across different levels — Jennifer's approach is to ask each mentor the same question independently, synthesize the input yourself, and own the final decision without trading their perspectives with each other. Aviation maintenance careers are not a ceiling — Boeing's technical fellowship program allows a mechanic to advance all the way to a senior executive role through technical expertise alone, with compensation that rivals pilot salaries as the shortage deepens. The number one mistake Jennifer sees in the next generation of aviation workers is not asking questions out of fear of looking uninformed — removing the fear of failure and asking early is how you save time, build credibility, and accelerate your career from day one. About the Guest Jennifer Radtke is a Director and Functional Chief Engineer for Product Support Engineering at Boeing, with 32 years in the aviation industry. She started her career as a licensed mechanic working the flight line before moving into maintenance engineering, technical leadership, and ultimately a functional chief role at one of the world's most recognized aerospace companies. Jennifer is a leading voice on the aviation technician shortage, next-generation workforce development, and the mentorship practices that help tradespeople build long, fulfilling careers in aviation. She spoke at the AMC Championships, where this episode was recorded live. Keywords aviation maintenance careers, aircraft mechanic, aviation mechanic shortage, Boeing careers, aviation technician, A&P certification, airframe and powerplant, skilled trades workforce, mechanic shortage, career pathways in aviation, technical fellowship Boeing, Jennifer Radtke, Boeing, predictive maintenance, next generation trades workers, aviation maintenance technician RESOURCE LINKS Jennifer Radtke on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-radtke-56bb29210 Boeing Careers Website: https://www.boeing.com/careers SUPPORT THE SHOW If you found value in this episode, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Your support helps us keep telling the stories of the skilled trades.

    32 min
  4. Data Centers Are Booming and Pipe Welders Are in Demand — Here's How to Get In

    May 12

    Data Centers Are Booming and Pipe Welders Are in Demand — Here's How to Get In

    The U.S. needs 320,000 more welders by 2029 — and data centers are accelerating the shortage. UA Training Specialist Bob Derby joins Andrew Brown. There's a program most people in the trades have never heard of: the UA Welder Finishing School. It takes pipe welders with existing skills — from trade schools, non-union shops, or plant work — and gets them UA-certified and dispatched to a job in 8 weeks or less. At no cost to the individual. Meanwhile, data centers are creating a surge in piping and welding work that shows no sign of slowing. The labor market is wide open — and the UA wants to fill it. Bob Derby is a UA Training Specialist with nearly 30 years in the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry. He came up through the apprenticeship as a pipe welder, earned his certified welding inspector credentials, became an instructor, and eventually trained UA members across the country as a regional and national instructor. He now leads workforce development efforts and helped build the UA Welder Finishing School program. If you're a pipe welder working non-union and wondering whether the UA is an option — or a young person trying to figure out how to get in, what to earn, and how far you can go — this episode lays it out clearly and honestly. IN THIS EPISODE (00:00) – The 320K Welder Shortage: Bob opens with the scale of the workforce gap and explains why the UA is uniquely positioned to solve it — and why now is one of the best times ever to be entering the piping trades. (05:00) – How to Get Into the UA: The application process starts at UANet.org — no connections required. Bob explains what the interview actually looks like, what sets candidates apart, and what happens if you don't get in the first time. (12:00) – Wages, Benefits & the 5-Year Apprenticeship: Apprentices typically start at $20–25/hour with healthcare, pension, and 401k contributions from day one — and skilled journeymen can retire with $1.5–2M in their 401k. (19:00) – Mentorship: The People Who Shape a Career: Bob shares how a gruff journeyman named Al — who didn't want him around — became one of the most important mentors of his life, and what that story reveals about how apprenticeship actually works. (26:00) – Career Ladder Beyond the Journeyman Card: From foreman to instructor, certified welding inspector, training coordinator, and multi-craft superintendent — Bob traces a career path that started in a town of 643 people and led to teaching UA members across the country. (35:00) – Data Centers, Prefab Trends & the Welder Finishing School: The data center boom is driving massive demand for pipe welders right now. Bob explains how prefabrication is changing the trade — and breaks down the UA Welder Finishing School, a program that gets experienced pipe welders UA-certified and on a job site in 8 weeks or less. Key Takeaways You don't need to know anyone to get into the UA — start at UANet.org, find your local union, and apply. If you don't make it the first time, the door stays open and the local will tell you exactly where you fell short. UA apprentices start at $20–25/hour with full benefits, pension credits, and 401k contributions from day one — and those who start young can retire with $1.5–2M in their 401k, depending on their local and contract. We can train aptitude, but we can't train attitude — the most important things an apprentice brings to the interview and the job site are humility and eagerness to learn, not prior experience. The UA Welder Finishing School is a free, 8-week-or-less program for pipe welders with existing skills who want to get UA-certified and dispatched — including graduates of trade schools like Kentucky Welding Institute who come in test-ready and are often working within two or three weeks. About the Guest Bob Derby is a UA Training Specialist with the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry. With nearly 30 years in the UA, he came up through the apprenticeship as a pipe welder, earned his Certified Welding Inspector credentials, became an instructor and training coordinator at his local union, and has taught regional and national courses — including the UA's Authorized Testing Representative and Certified Welding Inspector prep programs — to members across the country. Bob currently leads workforce development initiatives including the UA Welder Finishing School, a program designed to bring skilled pipe welders from outside the union into UA membership and into the workforce quickly. He is passionate about making the UA's career opportunities visible to the next generation of tradespeople. Keywords pipe welding career, UA union welding, pipe welder jobs, welding workforce shortage, united association, UA apprenticeship, journeyman welder, pipe fitter career, welder finishing school, UA certification, ASME welding, apprenticeship application, certified welding inspector, Bob Derby, United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters, Kentucky Welding Institute, Local 577, UA Training Specialist, pipe fitting career, HVAC trades, plumbing career, data center construction, skilled trades career, welding shortage, Gen Z trades RESOURCE LINKS Bob Derby on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-derby/ United Association Website: https://ua.org/ Find Your Local Union: https://uanet.org/ Kentucky Welding Institute: https://kwi.us/ SUPPORT THE SHOW If you found value in this episode, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Your support helps us keep telling the stories of the skilled trades.

    49 min
  5. Inside Aircraft Maintenance Careers: Pay, Pathways & the Fight to Keep Talent (with AMFA)

    May 5

    Inside Aircraft Maintenance Careers: Pay, Pathways & the Fight to Keep Talent (with AMFA)

    Aircraft maintenance technician careers start at $75K and climb past six figures — but a 40,000-person shortage is threatening aviation. Rob Cush of AMFA joins Andrew Brown. By 2028, the aviation industry is expected to hit peak retirements — and the average aircraft maintenance technician is already 56 or 57 years old. The wave is coming. At the same time, new A&P graduates are being poached between school and their first job by oil and gas, because a $500–$1,000 testing cost creates a 60–120 day gap that other industries are happy to fill. The pipeline is leaking at every stage. Rob Cush is the Director of Government Affairs at AMFA (Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association) and an aircraft maintenance controller at Southwest Airlines. He's spent decades on the floor turning wrenches — and now he takes that firsthand experience directly to Capitol Hill, advocating for workforce funding, veteran transition programs, and pathways to bring more young people and women into aviation maintenance. If you're a trade-minded person looking for a career that pays well, offers real advancement, and keeps planes in the sky — or if you work in workforce development and want to understand what aviation maintenance needs right now — this episode is for you. IN THIS EPISODE (00:00) – The 40,000 Technician Crisis: Rob breaks down the scale of the aircraft maintenance shortage and the retirement wave hitting peak in 2028. (05:00) – Why Gen Z Is Choosing Oil & Gas: Work-life balance is beating pay — how airlines are rethinking day shift access to compete for new graduates. (12:00) – The Testing Bottleneck Nobody Talks About: The $500–$1,000 cost of DME oral and practical exams is creating a 60–120 day gap where other industries poach new A&P graduates before they get licensed. (20:00) – Veterans and Women: The Untapped Pipeline: Only 8.3% of military AMTs continue in civilian aviation, and only 2.8% of technicians are female — and in both cases, awareness is the biggest barrier. (30:00) – Building the Pipeline Earlier: From Choose Aerospace high school programs to military SkillBridge partnerships, how AMFA is reaching future technicians before they choose a different path. (38:00) – Career Ladder and Mentorship: Rob's journey from apprentice to Capitol Hill — and why passing on tribal knowledge before the retirement wave hits is the most urgent challenge in the industry. Key Takeaways The aircraft maintenance industry is facing a shortage of 40,000 technicians by 2028, driven by a retirement wave among a workforce whose average age is already 56–57. New A&P graduates are being lost in the gap between finishing school and getting licensed — a $500–$1,000 DME testing cost creates a 60–120 day window where oil and gas steps in and takes them. Only 8.3% of military veterans with aviation maintenance experience continue into civilian AMT roles — and the primary reason is that most of them didn't know the pathway existed. Aircraft maintenance careers are far from a dead end: from line mechanic to maintenance control, inspection, management, or government affairs, the ladder is long — and Rob Cush is proof of how far it can go. About the Guest Rob Cush is the Director of Government Affairs at AMFA (Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association) and an aircraft maintenance controller at Southwest Airlines. He entered the industry through the Southwest apprenticeship program in 1996, spent 11 years as a line mechanic, and has spent the last two decades in maintenance control. AMFA represents approximately 6,600 technicians across Southwest, Alaska, Hawaiian, Spirit, Sun Country, WestJet, Jazz, and other carriers in the US and Canada. Rob leads AMFA's advocacy on Capitol Hill, where he helped secure $20 million for aircraft maintenance training in the 2024 FAA reauthorization bill, works to improve veteran transition pathways, and is building awareness programs to bring more women and young people into the A&P pipeline. Keywords aircraft maintenance technician, A&P mechanic, aviation workforce shortage, aircraft mechanic career, AMT shortage, A&P license, 147 school, DME testing, oral and practical exam, A&P school, aviation apprenticeship, aircraft maintenance training, aviation career pathway, avionics, Rob Cush, AMFA, Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association, Southwest Airlines, Choose Aerospace, FAA reauthorization 2024, military to civilian aviation, women in aviation, skilled trades career, Gen Z trades RESOURCE LINKS Rob Cush on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-cush-55b1a936/ AMFA National Website: https://www.amfanational.org/ SUPPORT THE SHOW If you found value in this episode, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Your support helps us keep telling the stories of the skilled trades.

    41 min
  6. What SkillsUSA Builds That Employers Actually Need | Serenity Satterfield

    Apr 28

    What SkillsUSA Builds That Employers Actually Need | Serenity Satterfield

    What are employers actually looking for in the next generation of tradespeople? According to Serenity Satterfield, it’s not just technical skill. It’s confidence, communication, professionalism, and the ability to step up before you feel fully ready. That is what SkillsUSA is building. Serenity Satterfield is the SkillsUSA National High School President, and her own story shows why the organization matters. She went from a small chapter in San Bernardino, California, to advocating for career and technical education on Capitol Hill and serving in national office — all because she kept saying yes to opportunities that pushed her outside her comfort zone. Through competitions, leadership development, community service, and a framework that blends personal, workplace, and technical skills, SkillsUSA is preparing students for far more than a first job. It is helping shape the kind of young professionals employers actually want to hire. This conversation is for employers looking for talent, students exploring the skilled trades, and educators who want to understand how leadership, soft skills, and technical training come together in one of the country’s most influential workforce development organizations. IN THIS EPISODE(00:00) – From Small Bubble to National Office Serenity shares how one decision to get uncomfortable took her from a small chapter in California to national leadership and advocacy on Capitol Hill. (01:45) – What SkillsUSA Actually Builds Serenity breaks down how SkillsUSA develops students through competitions, community service, and leadership development — not just technical training. (04:15) – The Soft Skills Employers Notice First Why handshakes, eye contact, confidence, and professionalism stand out so clearly in SkillsUSA students and matter so much in the real workforce. (08:06) – Where Companies Find Their Next Superstar Andrew explains why employers looking for welders, plumbers, carpenters, and other trades talent should be paying attention to SkillsUSA competitions. (13:03) – SkillsUSA Goes Bigger Than Atlanta How WorldSkills turns career and technical education into a global stage — and why students chase the chance to represent their country. (15:21) – Say Yes Before You Feel Ready Serenity reflects on fear, confidence, and what happens when students choose growth before certainty. Key TakeawaysEmployers are not just hiring for technical ability: they are looking for communication, professionalism, initiative, and confidence — and SkillsUSA is intentionally building those traits into student development. SkillsUSA works because it combines technical training with leadership practice: competitions, community service, and real responsibility give students a chance to apply what they learn instead of just hearing about it. The skilled trades pipeline is full of talent when people know where to look: from welding and carpentry to electrical, plumbing, and media, SkillsUSA creates visible pathways into real careers. Confidence grows after the decision, not before it: Serenity’s journey shows that many of the biggest opportunities come after saying yes while still feeling nervous. About the GuestSerenity Satterfield is the SkillsUSA National High School President, representing one of the largest student-led workforce development organizations in the United States. Through her leadership and advocacy, she promotes career and technical education, workforce readiness, and leadership development across the skilled trades. Her journey began in a smaller chapter in San Bernardino, California, before growing into state leadership, national office, and advocacy work in Washington, D.C. Today, she speaks about the power of saying yes to growth, building confidence through discomfort, and creating stronger pathways for students entering the workforce. KeywordsSkillsUSA, skilled trades, career and technical education, workforce development, soft skills, leadership development, student success, trades careers, workforce pipeline, welding, carpentry, HVAC, electricians, plumbers, construction, WorldSkills, Serenity Satterfield, Andrew Brown RESOURCE LINKSSerenity Satterfield on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/serenity-saterfield-692222323/ SkillsUSA Website: https://www.skillsusa.org/ SUPPORT THE SHOWIf you found value in this episode, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Your support helps us keep telling the stories of the skilled trades.

    49 min
  7. Everyone Talks About Supporting the Trades. SupplyHouse Actually Does It

    Apr 21

    Everyone Talks About Supporting the Trades. SupplyHouse Actually Does It

    The trades don’t have a shortage of interest — they have a bottleneck at the point of entry. Christine Boehm of SupplyHouse.com breaks down how skilled trades scholarships and trade school scholarships are removing the barriers most people never see — and opening doors that were never accessible to begin with. For years, workforce development in the trades has focused on awareness: getting more young people to consider careers in HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and construction. But interest isn’t the problem. The real gap shows up after someone decides they’re in — when cost, access, and lack of support stop them before they ever get started. Christine leads communications and content at SupplyHouse.com and works closely with the Supply House Foundation to expand access into the trades through scholarships, partnerships, and industry advocacy. Her work focuses on building a system that doesn’t just attract attention — but clears the path for people to actually enter, stay, and build long-term careers. This conversation is for contractors trying to hire in a tight labor market, for career changers looking for a real path into the trades, and for companies trying to understand what it takes to turn interest into a workforce. In This Episode(00:00) – Beyond Awareness Andrew introduces Christine Boehm and reframes the trades conversation: the issue isn’t attention — it’s access. (05:18) – How the Scholarship Model Started The origin of SupplyHouse.com’s skilled trades scholarships and why financial barriers stop more people than lack of interest. (11:22) – The Access Gap Why career changers struggle to enter the trades — and how workforce development efforts often miss the people who need them most. (18:40) – Women in the Trades What’s driving growth, what’s still missing, and how representation directly connects to opportunity. (26:55) – Building an Ecosystem How the Supply House Foundation is expanding beyond trade school scholarships into partnerships, nonprofits, and long-term support. (36:10) – Mentorship and Momentum Why mentorship, contractor involvement, and real-world guidance determine whether someone stays in the trades or leaves early. Key TakeawaysAccess — not awareness — is the real barrier into the trades. Interest in trades careers is growing, but without financial support and structured entry points like skilled trades scholarships and trade school scholarships, most potential workers never make it past step one. Workforce development requires more than recruitment. Bringing people into the trades is only the beginning — long-term success depends on support systems, mentorship, and clear pathways that help individuals build sustainable careers. Expanding participation strengthens the entire industry. Increasing representation, especially among women in the trades, is not just about inclusion — it directly impacts the size, resilience, and future of the workforce. Scholarships are a starting point, not the solution. Programs like the Supply House Foundation show that real impact comes from combining financial support with partnerships, education, and ongoing industry engagement. About the GuestChristine Boehm is the Communications and Content Team Lead at SupplyHouse.com, where she leads initiatives focused on strengthening the skilled trades through scholarships, storytelling, and workforce development programs. She works closely with the Supply House Foundation to expand access into the trades, support women entering the industry, and build partnerships that help the next generation of tradespeople succeed. Keywordsskilled trades scholarships, trade school scholarships, workforce development in the trades, Supply House Foundation, women in the trades, skilled trades, trades careers, contractors, workforce pipeline, advocacy, education, HVAC, electricians, plumbers, construction, craftsmanship, problem-solving, Andrew Brown, Christine Boehm, SupplyHouse.com, Lost Art of the Skilled Trades Resource LinksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-boehm-marketing/ SupplyHouse.com: https://www.supplyhouse.com Foundation Contact: foundation@supplyhouse.com Support the ShowIf you found value in this episode, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Your support helps us keep telling the stories of the skilled trades.

    45 min
  8. What the Trades Don't See (But We Do) | Aaron Witt, BuildWitt

    Apr 14

    What the Trades Don't See (But We Do) | Aaron Witt, BuildWitt

    What the Trades Don't See (But We Do) | Aaron Witt, BuildWitt Aaron Witt of BuildWitt has visited job sites on 5 continents. His take: the trades' biggest problem isn't negative perception — it's invisibility. Most people in the trades blame the younger generation. They say Gen Z is lazy, college-obsessed, or soft. But Aaron Witt — who showed up to his first construction job at 18 with zero background — says the real problem is structural. The industry built its entire training model around workers who grew up in the trades. Now a whole generation is showing up without that baseline knowledge, and the industry is yelling at them for it instead of teaching them. Aaron Witt is the founder of BuildWitt, a media and workforce development company that travels the skilled trades world — from Arctic diamond mines to Saudi Arabia — to tell the stories of the people keeping the world running. He's spent 13 years inside the industry as an outsider, and that vantage point gives him a clear view of what the people inside the fishbowl can't see. This conversation is for employers who keep losing workers within 90 days, for 17-year-olds trying to figure out their path in an AI-disrupted world, and for anyone who wants to understand why the trades pipeline is broken — and what actually fixes it. IN THIS EPISODE (00:00) – The Fishbowl: Why being outside the trades gives Aaron and Andrew a clearer view of what the industry is missing. (06:00) – Not Even in the Race: The trades don't have a perception problem — they have an invisibility problem, and the industry doesn't realize the difference. (15:00) – 5 Continents, One Truth: How BuildWitt went from Instagram posts on a road construction site to visiting a diamond mine near the Arctic Circle — and what Aaron sees that's the same everywhere. (26:00) – The Old Model Is Dead: Why the "trial by fire" approach to training worked for 40 years — and why applying it to today's workforce is a guaranteed way to lose people. (36:00) – Who Raised Gen Z?: The real retention crisis, the 50% turnover rate for workers under 25, and why the generation complaining about Gen Z raised them. (47:00) – Trades vs. AI: Why data centers can't be built without skilled trades, why white-collar work gets disrupted first, and what Aaron would tell a 17-year-old today. Key Takeaways The trades don't have a perception problem — they have an invisibility problem. The next generation isn't choosing against the trades; they never knew the trades were an option. The old training model was built for workers who grew up around the trades and arrived with 15 years of background knowledge. That worker no longer exists — and the industry has to build a new model for the worker that does. Over 50% of workers under 25 who enter the trades leave within months. Before blaming Gen Z, employers need to ask: Do these workers know what day one looks like? Do they have a mentor? Do they have a reason to stay? Skilled trades may be the safest career bet in an AI-disrupted economy. Law gets disrupted before welding. White-collar offices get disrupted before equipment operation. Every data center being built right now requires skilled trades workers. About the Guest Aaron Witt is the founder of BuildWitt, a media and workforce development company dedicated to the skilled trades and civil construction industries. He started BuildWitt in 2018 by sharing photos on Instagram from a road construction job site — and has since traveled to over 30 states annually and across five continents, visiting construction and mining operations from the Saudi desert to a diamond mine near the Arctic Circle. Aaron's work focuses on changing how the next generation sees the trades — not through marketing spin, but by showing the raw, real, unfiltered reality of the work. BuildWitt produces workforce training content, storytelling media, and leadership resources for the companies building the world. Keywords skilled trades, workforce development, civil construction, Gen Z in trades, trades career path, trades workforce shortage, equipment operator, welding, HVAC, apprenticeship, trades retention, Aaron Witt, BuildWitt, SkillsUSA, Andrew Brown, Lost Art of the Skilled Trades RESOURCE LINKS Aaron Witt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronwitt/ BuildWitt Website: https://buildwitt.com/ SUPPORT THE SHOW If you found value in this episode, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Your support helps us keep telling the stories of the skilled trades.

    57 min
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4.7
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Lost Art of the Skilled Trades, the ultimate podcast dedicated to celebrating and exploring the world of skilled trades. Hosted by Andrew Brown, a passionate advocate for the trades industry, this podcast is your go-to source for knowledge, inspiration, and practical advice. Andrew brings a unique perspective shaped by years of hands-on experience, entrepreneurial success, and a deep commitment to elevating the trades. Dive into the fascinating and ever-evolving world of skilled trades, where creativity, problem-solving, and dedication come together to build the world around us. From carpentry and HVAC systems to electricians, plumbers, millwrights, and beyond, every episode uncovers the grit, determination, and artistry that define the people behind these essential professions. Andrew’s journey began with a life-changing moment on September 11, 2001, when he worked alongside tradespeople, first responders, and community helpers at Ground Zero. This experience inspired him to dedicate his life to advocating for the unsung heroes of the trades. Through his company, Andrew has helped provide tools, equipment, and resources to industry professionals worldwide. Now, through this podcast, he continues his mission to spotlight the craftsmanship, hard work, and dedication of tradespeople everywhere. Each episode features in-depth interviews with industry experts, seasoned professionals, and rising stars in the trades. From contractors and electricians to HVAC specialists, plumbers, carpenters, and more, listeners will gain insider knowledge about the skills, tools, and strategies needed to thrive in these essential fields. Andrew also speaks with educators, advocates, and business leaders who are working to inspire the next generation of tradespeople, offering a fresh perspective on the value and opportunities within the trades. At its core, The Lost Art of the Skilled Trades is more than just a podcast — it’s a celebration of a culture built on pride in craftsmanship and an unwavering commitment to excellence. In a time when traditional career paths are overemphasized, this podcast shines a light on an alternative: rewarding careers in skilled trades that offer creativity, financial stability, and the satisfaction of building something tangible. Whether you’re a seasoned trades professional, an aspiring craftsman, or simply curious about the industry, this podcast is your ultimate guide to the untold stories and secrets of success in trades like refrigeration, building, plumbing, and construction. Join Andrew Brown as he celebrates the artistry, resilience, and innovation of the skilled trades — and inspires a new generation to pick up the tools that keep our world running. About Andrew Brown Andrew Brown is a fervent advocate for the skilled trades and is dedicated to addressing and then fixing the trades shortage gap. Through platforms such as social media, podcasts, and live events, he tirelessly promotes the benefits of the trades to students, parents, and educators. Follow Andrew Brown YouTube: https://youtube.com/@andrewbrowntrades LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-brown-b1736a5/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@andrew.l.brown

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