Fires are sparking in the minds of our high school students and we are ready to fan the flames.

Welcome to the second full episode of the Fired Up Podcast, a production of The Trade Collective. In this episode, our co-hosts sit down with Scott Nelson and Richard Fisher to discuss Scott's journey with his son who changed his path from the traditional college route to a career in the automotive industry. We also discuss how interest in an automotive path can lead to impressive and lucrative jobs. We explored how to encourage and accept our kids engaging in trade passions. The episode digs into the value of exploring local resources and businesses to help high school students become Trade Ready™at graduation.

Meet The Guests:

🎙️Scott Nelson: Trade Collective volunteer and father of a son who now works in the automotive industry. Scott is passionate about increasing engagement and resources for high school students interested in following a skilled trades career pathway.

🎙️ Richard Fisher: The Founder of Autobarn car dealerships in Evanston and Oak Park. Richard has been working in dealerships since the 1980s and started the first Autobarn in 1992 which has served Evanston and the surrounding areas ever since. Richard is passionate about promoting careers in the automotive industry and increasing automotive apprenticeship opportunities.

In this episode, we discuss:

🔥How do we begin the skilled trades conversation? In a world fixated on the idea that everyone should go to college, Patrick, Pete, Richard and Scott discuss how we open conversations and support young people in following passions in the skilled trades.

🔥 Breaking the college barriers: How do we change our community mindset to accept skilled trade pathways as good career options for kids?

🔥The appetizer and the main course: When engaging a student interested in the skilled trades sector, how do we take the appetizer, or initial interest in class, and translate it to the meal, or real industry experience.

🔥 The truth of the automotive industry: What are the real life financial realities of working in the automotive industry.

Join the Movement: New episodes drop every other Tuesday.

Review the full vision and follow our journey on social media:

Website: https://www.thetradecollective.org/
Instagram: @the_trade_collective
Threads: @the_trade_collective
Facebook: The Trade Collective
LinkedIn: The Trade Collective

Contact & Support:
General Inquiries: info@thetradecollective.org

Igniting the future of the skilled trades. Let's get fired up! 🔥

Something has sparked at 1910 Greenwood, and we’re ready to talk about it.

Welcome to the first full episode of the Fired Up Podcast, a production of The Trade Collective. This show is for students and families navigating post-secondary plans, industry professionals looking at their workforce pipelines, and everyone invested in students having a clear path to a high-paying career.

In this debut episode, our co-hosts sit down to discuss why being "Trade Ready" is a game-changer for our community. We explore how to bridge the gap between high school education and the high-paying, dignified careers waiting in the skilled trades within a 10-mile radius of Evanston.

Meet Your Hosts:

🎙️ Patrick Hughes (Patrick): Our Founder and "Chief Connector." An Evanston entrepreneur who has spent his life advocating for inclusion and creating organizations like Natural Ties and Inclusion Solutions that break down barriers.

🎙️ Dr. Pete Bavis (Pete): The Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction at ETHS. With over 16 years at the high school, Pete is a champion for academic pathways and has spent his career ensuring that access and opportunity are available to every student.

In this episode, we discuss:

🔥 The "Two Pieces of Paper" Vision: Patrick and Pete dig into how a high school diploma paired
with a professional credential can change a student’s life.
🔥 The Local Bricklayer Problem: Why local projects currently import skilled labor from out of state and how we can work to fill those roles with our own graduates.
🔥 The 930 Job Opportunity: Exploring the real labor needs and high demand within a 10-mile radius of Evanston.
🔥 What it Means to be "Trade Ready": How industry exposure can ignite a student's passion for building and creating and what a student needs to know before entering the skilled trades.

Join the Movement: New episodes drop every other Tuesday.

Review the full vision and follow our journey on social media:

Website: https://www.thetradecollective.org/
Instagram: @the_trade_collective
Threads: @the_trade_collective
Facebook: The Trade Collective
LinkedIn: The Trade Collective

Contact & Support:
General Inquiries: info@thetradecollective.org

Igniting the future of the skilled trades. Let's get fired up! 🔥