Get an inside look at the changing face of manufacturing and the skilled trades with hosts Jessica Bird and Darryl Gratrix, founder of NextGen Skilled Trades Consulting. Darryl shares his personal path from a non-technical background to a leader in Canadian manufacturing, addressing tough questions about why the industry is losing talent and what can actually be done to bring the next generation in.

This conversation takes on classic myths about trade school, the realities of modern shops, and the shift from old-school “crusty” toolrooms to investing in people and technology. Learn how VR and AI are being used for training, the critical role of confidence versus skill, and what’s working to build a better future for tradespeople and manufacturers.

Whether you’re a shop owner, educator, parent, or a student considering career options, this episode is packed with grounded advice, candid stories, and actionable ideas for changing perceptions and building community.

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Connect with Jess on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicaurbans/

Connect with Christina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinacasanova/

Connect with Darryl on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/darryl-gratrix-373827309/

———Join CNC Underground Newsletter! https://swiy.co/cncunderground

Join CNC Underground — the go-to weekly newsletter read by 6,000+ elite machinists and programmers. Get cutting-edge tips, tooling strategies, CAM shortcuts, and industry updates in one tight, no-fluff email.

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About Midwest CAM Solutions: Midwest CAM Solutions is the world’s largest GibbsCAM reseller, helping manufacturers boost productivity with expert CAM software solutions, training, and support.

Learn more at: www.midwestcamsolutions.com

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What actually happens when you mix motorsports ambitions, hands-on automotive classes, and a willingness to post real wins and mistakes online?

In this conversation, Nush Ahmed breaks stereotypes about women in manufacturing, shares the truth about getting started in trades, and pulls back the curtain on building a visible career outside the traditional corporate ladder.

With host Jessica Urbans, they call out old myths, laugh about shop-floor lingo, and challenge everyone in the industry to embrace authenticity, support newcomers, and foster genuine networks, both in the shop and across social media.

Sparked by personal stories and hard-earned advice, this episode uncovers the value of community, ongoing learning, and the courage it takes to be honest about both setbacks and successes.

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Connect with Jess on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicaurbans/

Connect with Christina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinacasanova/

Connect with Nush on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nushrata/

Sisterhood of the Trades: www.sisterhoodofthetrades.com

Podcasts Nush Mentioned

Next Gen MFG: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Ysum3HDA82rlHeuxoaBge

The Sisterhood Takes the Mic: https://open.spotify.com/show/33RtOsuAu2Wl5X4WiiG4zw

Two Bolts Short of a Flange:https://open.spotify.com/show/6pmLbiTozQOjsh4d7fun2s

The Union Mic Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2hgMQcjfZ5grvbzudveskn

———Join CNC Underground Newsletter! https://swiy.co/cncunderground

Join CNC Underground — the go-to weekly newsletter read by 6,000+ elite machinists and programmers. Get cutting-edge tips, tooling strategies, CAM shortcuts, and industry updates in one tight, no-fluff email.

————

About Midwest CAM Solutions:Midwest CAM Solutions is the world’s largest GibbsCAM reseller, helping manufacturers boost productivity with expert CAM software solutions, training, and support.

Learn more at: www.midwestcamsolutions.com

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00:00 From Valves to Motorsport Fabrication

04:17 "Finding Passion Through Hot Wheels"

06:40 "Overcoming Barriers to Trade School"

12:07 Networking for Career Opportunities

14:45 "Sharing Mistakes for Growth"

17:54 LinkedIn Thrives on Questions

20:45 "Connecting, Posting, and Being Seen"

24:12 Podcast Projects by Sisterhood

29:18 "Evaluating Career Investment Motives"

32:44 "Climbing Success Isn't Easy"

35:23 Learning Programming & Underwater Welding

40:31 "Choosing School Through Robots"

41:59 "Connect with Nusha Ahmed"

Hit subscribe for new episodes with honest conversations that keep the coolant clean and the culture real.

Arthur Field, Operations Manager for the Americas at MTDCNC, joins the conversation to break down what truly defines strong partnerships in manufacturing and why clinging to outdated methods can sabotage shop culture, profitability, and growth.

From shop floor trial-and-error to managing international operations, Arthur shares candid stories of career-defining mistakes, hard-won leadership lessons, and the surprising truth about building lasting trust between suppliers, vendors, and teams.

The discussion covers everything from mental health and innovation resistance to the impact of video content and the future of blue-collar pride. If you’ve ever weighed the value of real collaboration, questioned stubborn industry habits, or wanted a behind-the-scenes look at the human side of manufacturing, this episode will challenge assumptions and offer practical takeaways for tomorrow’s leaders.

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Connect with Jess on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicaurbans/

Connect with Christina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinacasanova/

Connect with Arthur on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meetarthur/

———Join CNC Underground Newsletter! https://swiy.co/cncunderground

Join CNC Underground — the go-to weekly newsletter read by 6,000+ elite machinists and programmers. Get cutting-edge tips, tooling strategies, CAM shortcuts, and industry updates in one tight, no-fluff email.

————

About Midwest CAM Solutions:Midwest CAM Solutions is the world’s largest GibbsCAM reseller, helping manufacturers boost productivity with expert CAM software solutions, training, and support.

Learn more at: www.midwestcamsolutions.com

About MTDCNC:

MTDCNC is a global manufacturing media platform covering CNC machining and precision manufacturing news, videos, podcasts, and industry insights.

Learn more at: www.mtdcnc.com

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Time Stamps

00:00 Accidental Path to CNC Programming

06:28 "Stretching Beyond Comfort Zones"

14:55 "Fixing Longstanding Issues Quickly"

21:49 Trust and Reliable Teamwork

22:46 "Collaboration Beats Going Solo"

29:36 "Training Gap and Workforce Solutions"

37:44 "True Partnership Requires Action"

40:28 "Thoughtful Approach to Client Needs"

46:21 "Disagreements Indicate Healthy Partnerships"

53:27 "Exploring Media Partnership Choices"

54:25 "Marketing Shifts Delayed by Leadership"

01:03:30 3-Month Brand Partnership Campaign

01:05:04 "CNC Demonstrations and Education"

01:09:39 Inspiring Youth Through Creativity

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