Skilled Nation

Skilled Nation

Skilled Nation takes you inside the world of high-demand trades—welding, electrical, HVAC, industrial maintenance, and more. Through real stories from graduates and pros, you’ll see how hands-on training can launch you into a high-paying, future-proof career—without the four-year degree and crushing debt. Way of Life, Badge of Honor—this is the real story of building a career, a craft, and a future you’re proud of.

  1. 16h ago

    Episode 25: The Truth About Skilled Trades in 2026 | Boilermakers, Unions, Pay & Career Reality (Audio)

    Everyone talks about the skilled trades shortage, but are the jobs really worth it? In this episode of Skilled Nation, host Jimmy Rhoades sits down with Jacob Evanson, Business Manager of Boilermakers Local 627, for an honest conversation about the realities of working in the trades. They tackle the questions people are asking online: • Do skilled trades actually pay enough? • Is the work too hard on your body? • How important are unions in today's workforce? • What happens when projects end? • Are apprenticeships better than college? • Will AI replace skilled trade careers? • How are data centers, semiconductor plants, mining, nuclear energy, and America's manufacturing revival creating new opportunities? Jacob shares his own journey as a third-generation boilermaker and explains how apprenticeship programs, mentorship, healthcare benefits, pensions, continuing education, and union support systems help workers build long-term careers instead of simply finding jobs. The conversation also explores mental health in construction, workforce shortages, career advancement into project management and welding inspection, and why skilled workers remain essential to America's future. Whether you're a student, parent, career changer, veteran, or someone wondering if the trades are still a smart career path, this episode offers a candid look at what life in the skilled trades really looks like. In this episode: ✔ Boilermaker careers explained ✔ Union vs non-union jobs ✔ Apprenticeship opportunities ✔ Skilled trades pay and benefits ✔ Mental health in construction ✔ Career growth beyond the tools ✔ Data centers and AI-driven infrastructure ✔ Energy, mining, and manufacturing jobs ✔ Workforce development in America ✔ The future of skilled trades Learn more about Boilermakers Local 627: https://www.627.org #SkilledNation #Boilermakers #SkilledTrades #UnionJobs #Apprenticeship #ConstructionCareers #Welding #Manufacturing #WorkforceDevelopment #DataCenters #NuclearEnergy #BlueCollar #TradeSchool #CareerChange #Infrastructure #PrattPodcasting

  2. Jun 4

    Episode 24: From Pipe Welder to 150K Followers: How Stan Sherwin Built a Welding Brand | Skilled Nation (Audio)

    What happens when a second-generation welder combines decades of hands-on experience with the power of social media? In this episode of Skilled Nation, host Jimmy Rhoades sits down with Stan Sherwin of SS Custom Welding, a custom fabricator, welding educator, and online creator who has built a loyal audience of more than 150,000 followers by sharing his craft, mentoring the next generation, and proving there's more than one way to master a trade. Stan shares how growing up around his father's boilermaker career shaped his work ethic, why he chose the skilled trades over college, and how years of practicing after work helped him become one of the top welders in his field. He also reveals how posting welding videos online transformed his career, connected him with aspiring welders around the world, and gave him a new purpose: helping others succeed. Whether you're considering welding school, already working in the trades, or interested in building a personal brand around your skills, this episode offers practical advice on craftsmanship, consistency, confidence, social media, mentorship, and career growth. In this episode: How Stan learned welding from his father and on the job The realities of becoming a professional pipe welder Why welding is both a trade and an art form Building a welding brand on Instagram Handling criticism and trolls online How social media can create opportunities in the skilled trades Advice for young welders and future tradespeople The philosophy behind "Learn It. Earn It. Return It." Skilled Nation celebrates the people, careers, and stories that keep America running. Because being a tradesperson isn't just a job. It's a way of life. It's a badge of honor. Subscribe today! #PrattPodcasting #StarWorldwideNetworks

  3. May 28

    Episode 23: From Medical Assistant to Electrician | A Mother's Skilled Trades Journey (Audio)

    Jennifer Robles was exhausted, overwhelmed, and stuck in survival mode balancing two jobs, raising three boys, and trying to hold her family together. But instead of settling, she made a life changing decision that would completely transform her future. In this emotional and deeply honest episode of Skilled Nation, Jennifer shares how she went from working as a medical assistant and fast-food supervisor to graduating from the electrical program at Tulsa Welding School with highest honors.   She opens up about motherhood, sacrifice, heartbreak, self-doubt, being the only woman in her electrical class, and the moment she realized she was capable of more. This is a raw, inspiring story about resilience, career change, women in the skilled trades, and building a better future through electrical training and hands on education. If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or afraid to start over, Jennifer’s story will hit home.   #SkilledTrades #Electrician #WomenInTrades #TulsaWeldingSchool #CareerChange #BlueCollar #Tradeswomen #ElectricalWork #SkilledNation #Motivation #StarWorldwideNetworks #PrattMarketingAgency #PrattPodcasting

  4. May 21

    Episode 22: The Pratt Brothers Build a Christmas Empire Through the Skilled Trades (Audio)

    What started as two brothers decorating their family home turned into one of Arizona’s most recognized holiday attractions. In this episode of Skilled Nation, Sammy and Kyle Pratt, better known as the Pratt Brothers, share how they built a nationally recognized Christmas spectacular using welding, electrical work, fabrication, programming, plumbing, pyrotechnics, and pure creativity.   From dumpster diving for materials and teaching themselves trades on YouTube to managing massive live events seen by thousands, this conversation explores the real intersection of skilled trades, entrepreneurship, entertainment, and innovation.   If you’ve ever wondered how hands on skills can evolve into a creative business, this episode is proof that the trades can build far more than buildings. They can build experiences, brands, and entire worlds.   Subscribe today for more insight into what careers skills in the trades can lead to.   #StarWorldwideNetworks #PrattMarketingAgency #PrattBrothersChristmas #PrattBrothers

  5. May 14

    Episode 21: From Welding School to Business Owner in 5 Years | Peyton Sweet’s Story (Audio)

    Peyton Sweet went from learning welding at Tulsa Welding School to building Sweets Fabrication into a growing business and online brand in just five years. In this episode of Skilled Nation, Peyton breaks down the real side of welding, fabrication, entrepreneurship, pricing jobs, social media growth, mental health, and what it takes to survive in the skilled trades. From learning fabrication in the field to building a welding business during economic uncertainty, Peyton shares honest insight into the pressure, freedom, failures, and opportunities that come with skilled trades careers. He also explains how welding, problem solving, and content creation helped him grow a following of hundreds of thousands across social platforms. This episode is for anyone interested in welding careers, fabrication, skilled trades training, entrepreneurship, or starting a business without a four year degree. Featuring Peyton Sweet of Sweets Fabrication. #Welding #Fabrication #SkilledTrades #Entrepreneurship #TulsaWeldingSchool #WeldingBusiness #TradesCareers #SkilledNation

  6. May 6

    Episode 20: From First Weld to Full Brand: The Story of The Welding Magician (Audio)

    How does a 14-year-old struggling to strike his first arc turn into “The Welding Magician”… a welder, content creator, and founder of a fast-growing global brand? In this episode of Skilled Nation, Michael Cortez shares how he went from documenting daily welds to building a loyal community, launching a business, and inspiring the next generation to pursue careers in the skilled trades. From discipline and consistency to social media growth and brand building, this is a real story of turning blue-collar skills into opportunity, income, and impact. If you’re interested in welding, skilled trades careers, trade school pathways, or building a brand from your craft—this episode breaks it all down. New episodes of Skilled Nation drop weekly. Subscribe to Skilled Nation Podcast for real stories from the trades shaping the future.

  7. Apr 30

    Episode 19: Behind Every Concert are Skilled Trades in Action | Chris Elliot and R-Entertainment (Audio)

    What does it take to run a live concert where every light, sound cue, and moment has to hit perfectly? In this episode of Skilled Nation, we go behind the scenes with Chris Elliott, a production manager overseeing high-tech live events across the country with R-Entertainment, where there is zero room for error. From starting as a ticket taker to managing 20–30 venues and coordinating crews, vendors, and artists nationwide, Chris’s journey proves that a strong foundation in skilled trades, especially electrical, production, and technical systems, can unlock careers most people never even consider. This episode breaks down the real infrastructure behind concerts: the electricians powering massive loads, the crews rigging lights and sound, and the precision teamwork required to bring an artist’s vision to life. It’s fast-paced, high-pressure, and one of the most rewarding career paths in the trades. If you’ve ever been to a concert, you’ve seen the result. This episode shows you the careers behind it. In this episode, you’ll learn: How skilled trades power live events and concerts The career path from entry-level to production management Why electricians and technical trades are critical in entertainment How to break into the live event and production industry What it takes to thrive in a high-pressure, high-reward career If you’re looking for a career that’s hands-on, fast-moving, and part of something bigger—this is it. Most people will never think about this career. Now you can’t unsee it. Hit subscribe, dive into the full episode, and take the first step toward a career that puts you behind the scenes of something bigger.

  8. Apr 23

    Episode 18: The Hidden Careers Powering AI and the Cloud (Audio)

    You use the cloud every day for streaming, gaming, and AI, but few people understand what powers it. In this episode of Skilled Nation, we go inside the world of data centers with Michelle Woodford of DPR Construction to uncover the infrastructure behind every click, upload, and connection. From massive data center builds to the electricians, HVAC techs, and skilled trades that keep them running, this episode breaks down how the cloud is not abstract at all. It is physical, complex, and rapidly expanding. With demand driven by AI and digital growth, data centers are creating long term career paths that can span decades, with opportunities in construction, maintenance, and operations. We explore how data centers are built, why cooling systems and power infrastructure are critical, and how innovations like liquid cooling are changing the industry. You will also learn why common myths about water usage and environmental impact are often misunderstood, and how cities like Phoenix have become major hubs for this growth. If you are interested in skilled trades, electrical careers, or the future of AI infrastructure, this episode shows how you can be part of an industry that is not slowing down. Subscribe to SkilledNationPodcast for real stories and career paths in welding, electrical, HVAC, and the trades that keep the world running.

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About

Skilled Nation takes you inside the world of high-demand trades—welding, electrical, HVAC, industrial maintenance, and more. Through real stories from graduates and pros, you’ll see how hands-on training can launch you into a high-paying, future-proof career—without the four-year degree and crushing debt. Way of Life, Badge of Honor—this is the real story of building a career, a craft, and a future you’re proud of.

Information

  • Creator
    Skilled Nation
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    27
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Skilled Nation
  • Show Website
    Skilled Nation