We're joined by Leisa Williams-Swedberg from Women in Skilled Trades Michigan (WIST), sharing her journey into construction management and her impactful work empowering women in the trades. Leisa recounts how WIST was founded to provide women with pre-apprenticeship training, overcoming barriers like math skills, job readiness, and access to trade opportunities. Her passion shines through as she celebrates the program's success stories, including graduates who have gone on to become journeymen, proving the transformative power of WIST.

Learn more at www.wistmichigan.org.

In this episode of The Fix podcast, Emily Cox, the brains behind Building Badasses, shares her fascinating journey from architecture to building a revolutionary organization for women in trades. She delves into the driving force behind her vision of fostering a more inclusive and balanced industry, where women make up 51% of every trade. Listen in for a remarkable conversation on bridging the gap in the trades, creating networking opportunities, and crafting a safe and supportive space for aspiring female builders.

Learn more at www.buildingbadasses.com and follow on Instagram.

Lisa Alessandro and Alicia Chet join us from Remington College in Cleveland to discuss their dedicated trade program offerings, such as construction, building maintenance, and welding. They discuss Remington College's commitment to non-traditional students, providing rigorous hands-on training to equip them for entry-level positions in a shorter time frame than four-year programs.

Learn more at remingtoncollegetraining.com.

In this inspiring episode of "The Fix," we sit down with Perlla DeLuca, a trailblazer in the construction industry and the founder of the Pink Hardhat Foundation, Iowa School of Construction and Southwest Constructors. Perlla shares her remarkable journey, from cleaning houses and working in restaurants to becoming a seasoned construction professional and advocate for women and minorities in the trades.

This week on The Fix, Carol Phillips and Nichole Stephenson of West Virginia Women Work join us to tackle the vital topic of women's empowerment in skilled trades, sharing their personal journeys and the impactful work of West Virginia Women Work. They discuss the challenges women face in traditionally male-dominated fields, the importance of training and education, and the organization's strategies to promote diversity and inclusivity in the workforce.

Learn more at www.westvirginiawomenwork.org

Follow WV Women Work on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn

This week on The Fix, we're joined by Oatey Ambassadors Nick Merritt and Justin Noftle from Canada, who share insights about their paths to working in the plumbing industry. They debunk plumbing myths, discuss the impact of technology, stress the significance of continuing education and share their diverse experiences and challenges in the trade.

Follow Justin on Instagram.

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Jeff Keller, a seasoned plumber, business owner, and #OateyAmbassador from Jefferson, Texas, shares his 17 years of experience in the industry. Starting at his father's company straight out of high school, he now runs the family business after earning his Master Plumbers license in 2020. We talk about the crucial role of customer service and building trust with customers in the service industry, his future ambitions and finding work-life balance.

Bart Bettiga, the Executive Director of the National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA), joins us to discuss NTCA's mission to promote the use of high-quality products sold by trained distributors and installed by skilled contractors, helping drive an increased consumption of tile and stone in the market. We explore the association's commitment to improving the tile trade through education, training, and setting industry standards. Bart highlights the various training opportunities NTCA offers, such as in-person workshops and online NTCA University courses, aiming to enhance professional skills in ceramic tile installation and allied products.

Follow National Tile Contractors Association on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.