Talking Training With The Trades

Ep #32: COVID's Impact on Immigrants with Tina Hughes

April 21, 2020 10:00 - 20 minutes - 28.2 MB

Today we are going to be addressing a question we recently received regarding how best to support immigrant employees during this global pandemic. Here to help me answer this question and dive into this topic is Tina Hughes, a passionate advocate and representative of immigrants who exclusively practices immigration law. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/2XHMBCg

Ep #31: Leadership Development Training with Alex Willis

April 14, 2020 10:00 - 41 minutes - 57.2 MB

Alex Willis is the CEO of Leadership Surge, where he provides a leadership development program that trains employees in the trades industry to become exceptional leaders. By focusing on areas such as effective communication and performance coaching, Alex teaches people how to make their projects successful, profitable, and safe. Today, he joins the show to share some of his best advice on how to do the same for your program. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: ht...

Ep #30: COVID Acts and Funding Resources

April 07, 2020 10:00 - 13 minutes - 19.1 MB

As we progress further into this pandemic and steady work becomes a little more uncertain, I want to discuss two different acts that recently came out and how to utilize them within your apprenticeship program. From quarantined employees to employees infected with COVID-19, there are now emergency funds that can be used to help your employees. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/2JwTCxq

Ep #29: COVID-19 and Stepping Away From Fear

March 31, 2020 10:00 - 12 minutes - 16.7 MB

In light of everything that has been happening over the past couple of weeks with COVID-19, I want to bring you some inspiration and thoughts to drive you even further into your apprenticeship programs. Despite this pandemic changing the way everyone is doing business and how we are living our lives, there are steps we can take to continue to run our businesses in a successful and fulfilling way. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3bpBCB8

Ep #28: Grant Funding Explained with Emily Schott

March 24, 2020 10:00 - 43 minutes - 60.1 MB

I get a lot of questions about grants, ranging from how they are actually issued to where you can go to get them, who is a grant writer, and much more. So in this episode, I’ve got Emily Schott joining me to help bring clarity to grants and the process of attaining them. A 3rd-year law student, Emily does a lot of research on grant funding on the federal level and best practices for positioning yourself to receive this funding. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here:...

Ep #27: Creating Positive Jobsite Culture - Interview With Mike Hawes

March 17, 2020 10:00 - 46 minutes - 63.9 MB

Many of you have reached out saying you are dealing with harassment, discrimination, and adversity at your jobsite. This is a common issue faced by businesses, but an issue that can be prevented with the correct training. To help me discuss how to implement a positive jobsite culture into your training is someone who has successfully done so in his business: Mike Hawes, the director of Northwest Carpenters Institute. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://b...

Ep #26: How To Hire Amazing Team Members

March 10, 2020 10:00 - 12 minutes - 17.1 MB

Have you been looking to add new members to your apprenticeship program but are unsure how to find the perfect people for your team? Today I will be discussing hiring practices for your apprenticeship program and how to make the perfect job advertisement. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/38YmFoG

Ep #25: Creating Culture With Your Employees

March 03, 2020 11:00 - 12 minutes - 17.5 MB

I was recently talking with some colleagues about hiring, and it made me think about one of the most important things that can help you in the hiring process (and in many other ways). That thing is culture. Culture can make or break or break a business or program, and in this episode, I will be outlining why it is so important and sharing steps you can take now to improve your program’s culture. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/37Jinju

Ep #24: Resource You Need To Know About For Apprentice Books And Tools

February 25, 2020 11:00 - 11 minutes - 15.4 MB

As of December 20th, 2019, a new law was put into place, and it has opened up the opportunity for apprentices and journeymen to use certain funds to pay for training resources. And that means your apprentices may now have a new avenue to help pay for books and tools! Today I will be explaining what that resource is, how it came about, and how you can make the most of this opportunity. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/2SGzwGf

Ep #23: Finding Peace of Mind by Performing Self-Audits

February 18, 2020 11:00 - 21 minutes - 29.5 MB

I’ve gotten a lot of questions lately about audits, and a big one that comes up is: “How can you do it yourself?” So in this episode, I’ll explain what a self-audit is, why you should be doing this regularly, and how you can implement it into your routine. My goal for you is to have you set it up so that if the DOL came in and audited your program, you’re almost bulletproof! You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/2UEVx9Z

Ep #22: Interview with Vince Sticca: Utilizing Technology to Reach Your Apprentices and Journeyworkers

February 11, 2020 11:00 - 35 minutes - 48.5 MB

Almost everyone I have talked to has a deep appreciation for someone who helped groom them or took them under their wing while in training. This is such an important concept, and doing it more intentionally with our apprentices and journeyworkers is crucial to the success of apprenticeship programs. Here to talk more about this topic is Vince Sticca, Director of Training for the Chicago Regional Council Apprentice Training Program. You can find show notes and more information by clicking h...

Ep #21: Systematizing for Efficiency and Consistency

February 04, 2020 11:00 - 35 minutes - 48.3 MB

Did you know that the average person makes 35,000 decisions in a day? Additionally, our decision making power diminishes the more we have to decide, which is why having the right systems, policies, and procedures in place can give your apprenticeship program an incredible edge. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/2uDTsQP

Ep #20: Investing In Others with Nic Bittle

January 28, 2020 11:00 - 59 minutes - 81.8 MB

Nic Bittle has been sought out by the trades because of his ability to relate to and work with apprentices, as well as his clear understanding of the importance of the people side of business. He joins me on this episode to shed light on how he aims to help develop the next generation of the workforce and how crucial that is for the future of the trades. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/2RhFlJK

Ep #19: The Why Behind the What with Dr. John Gaal (Part 2)

January 21, 2020 11:00 - 51 minutes - 70.3 MB

Today Dr. John Gaal and I continue our conversation from last week and dive into some major issues in the construction industry and trade programs. In this episode, you’ll hear about the importance of understanding the role of mental health and financial literacy in trade work. John and I discuss the different ways these issues pop up and the massive benefit that comes with providing thoughtful solutions that attract, retain, and nurture safety and productive work. You can find show notes ...

Ep #18: The Why Behind the What with Dr. John Gaal (Part 1)

January 14, 2020 11:00 - 35 minutes - 49.4 MB

Dr. John Gaal has an incredible background in the apprenticeship industry and a unique story on the education he has received over the years. Having served on many boards and been a leader in the carpentry trade and apprenticeship world, John went from struggling in school to becoming a highly skilled and important part of the industry with an MA, MBA, and Executive Masters under his belt. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/37Ftx9u

Ep #17: Making Your Calendar Work For You

January 07, 2020 11:00 - 16 minutes - 22.9 MB

This episode will continue the conversation on how to figure out your priorities instead of spending all of your time putting out fires. Today I’ll be blowing it up to a larger scale so you can look at the entire year to set long-term goals and providing tips and tools to help you set up your calendar for 2020 in a way that puts your priorities front and center. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/358oexA

Ep #16: Prioritizing over Putting Out Fires

December 31, 2019 11:00 - 16 minutes - 23 MB

What does how you spend your time say about your apprenticeship program? Too many of us get stuck in the trap of constantly putting out fires and letting little “urgent” things distract us from the bigger goals, so today I’m going to talk about how to make sure you’re spending your time on the things that really matter. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3503eJm

Ep #15: Decade in Review

December 24, 2019 11:00 - 24 minutes - 34.1 MB

As 2020 is just around the corner, I want to help you look back over the last decade and learn from your mistakes. So in this episode, I will be explaining how you can move your business forward by looking backward and how to set attainable goals for the decade ahead. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/2S5J4ea

Ep #14: Fiduciary Liability You May Not Know About

December 17, 2019 11:00 - 19 minutes - 26.7 MB

Today I am talking about fiduciary duties in your apprenticeship program. I want to bring light to liability you may not know about so you can make sure you have everything in place and avoid being caught unprepared. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/2rcfLM7

Ep #13: Episode 12 Follow-Up and the Areas to Review for Your Program

December 10, 2019 11:00 - 20 minutes - 28 MB

Today’s episode is a follow-up to last week, where we heard from former DOL investigator, Sam Henson. I wanted to dig deeper and clarify a few things he and I discussed in regards to DOL audits and investigations. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/2spIsp1

Ep #12: Insights from a Former DOL Investigator

December 03, 2019 11:00 - 1 hour - 86.3 MB

Today I am joined by Sam Henson, Senior Vice President and Director of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs for Lockton Companies. After spending almost ten years with the U.S. Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration, Sam has conducted more than 150 civil and criminal investigations of employee benefits plans, service providers, and fiduciaries. In this episode, he shares what it was like to be a DOL investigator, what actually happens during DOL audits, and more. You c...

Ep #11: Creating Raving Fans

November 26, 2019 11:00 - 17 minutes - 23.4 MB

Someone recently asked me how to keep members engaged in a program, and I decided this was a great topic for one of my episodes. So today, I will cover how to keep members active and engaged, as well as methods you can use in other aspects of your program to create raving fans. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/2qyXurU

Ep #10: Interview with Tom DeRoche: Educational Resources Available for your Program

November 19, 2019 11:00 - 31 minutes - 43.7 MB

Tom DeRoche is the Director of Educational Programs for the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans. Responsible for the development, design, and program management of employee benefits-related conferences and courses, Tom joins the show today to discuss how he is working to provide different ways of offering education for apprentices to ensure everyone gets equal opportunities. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/2PPHqwd

Ep #09: NAW - Creating the Vision for Your Future

November 12, 2019 11:00 - 19 minutes - 26.5 MB

At times, it feels like apprenticeship programs are running in reactionary mode rather than visionary mode. But it’s important to make the shift into forward thinking, as this is what takes a program to the top. So today, I’m going to break down how to create a long-term vision for your apprenticeship. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/34xEAjp

Creating an Online Presence for Your Program - with Jillian Otten

November 05, 2019 11:00 - 44 minutes - 61.3 MB

Today we are digging in deep regarding your social media and online presence for your apprenticeship program. I receive so many questions relating to the Department of Labor’s new requirements for outreach and meeting your numbers to show that you are trying to recruit females, minorities, and disabled individuals, so I’ve brought a leader in this area onto the show to break it all down for us. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/34bhlLP

Ep #08: Creating an Online Presence for Your Program - with Jillian Otten

November 05, 2019 11:00 - 44 minutes - 61.3 MB

Today we are digging in deep regarding your social media and online presence for your apprenticeship program. I receive so many questions relating to the Department of Labor’s new requirements for outreach and meeting your numbers to show that you are trying to recruit females, minorities, and disabled individuals, so I’ve brought a leader in this area onto the show to break it all down for us. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/34bhlLP

Ep #07: Building Strategy to Get the Best Applicants

October 29, 2019 10:00 - 16 minutes - 23.3 MB

I see a lot of programs implementing tactical decisions, but often they don’t have an overarching strategy in a place. So today I will be sharing tips on how you can put together a strategy that will completely annihilate your competition so that you can take on your ideal apprentices. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/2MYzbLe

Ep #06: How to Handle Disabilities in Your Program

October 22, 2019 10:00 - 23 minutes - 32.7 MB

Today we are discussing something that is quite an urgent matter for your apprenticeship program due to how the Department of Labor regulations have changed. In 2016, the DOL stated that disabled individuals were not getting the opportunities they needed and set a goal of reaching 7% disabled individuals in each apprenticeship program. So in this episode, I will be focusing on what these new regulations mean and how to handle disabilities in your program. You can find show notes and more...

Ep #05: Insurance Policies for Your Training Program with Sally Corbin

October 15, 2019 10:00 - 55 minutes - 76.3 MB

Is your apprenticeship program properly insured to cover the inevitable losses and lawsuits? Sally Corbin is co-founder and CEO of Union Services Agency and has years of experience representing and working with apprenticeship programs. She joins the podcast today to share her expertise in protecting and insuring programs the right way. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/30XIOyz

Ep #04: Harassment and Discrimination

October 08, 2019 10:00 - 32 minutes - 44.6 MB

The Department of Labor (DOL) recently wrote new laws around harassment and discrimination in construction trades, and today I’m breaking down the issues these laws are based on, what they are aiming to solve, and how you can take action to prevent harassment and discrimination in your programs. You will also get insight on the social movements going on out there to bring awareness to these issues. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://bit.ly/31JzShn

Ep #03: Finding Additional Funds in Unsuspecting Places

October 01, 2019 10:02 - 15 minutes - 21.2 MB

Has your apprenticeship program experienced difficulty when it comes to getting sufficient and consistent funding? If so, you’re not alone. Every apprenticeship program I have worked with has been worried about financing, so I have discovered some specific ways to find funding in places you may not have thought to look. In this episode, I will draw from my experience and clue you in to three different areas that are likely costing your program too much. From inner team issues to recruitmen...

Ep #02: Efficiencies

October 01, 2019 10:01 - 16 minutes - 23.3 MB

It can be hard to spot all of the inefficiencies that plague your programs, so I’m here to explain what those might look like and how to turn your program into an efficient machine. Working with various apprenticeship programs has given me the opportunity to hear about and pinpoint what makes them inefficient, and today I’m sharing some of my best tips and tricks for finding and solving common efficiency issues. Listen in as I provide examples of what can slow things down, as well as where...

Ep #01: Stories

September 24, 2019 19:16 - 26 minutes - 35.8 MB

Welcome to Talking Training with the Trades, the podcast that will teach you how to unlock hidden potential and prevent massive risk in your training program. I’m Jennifer Germaine, owner of a law firm and coach apprenticeship programs across the nation, and I’m here to help you get breakthrough results. In this episode, I kick things off by sharing my story and why I decided to start this podcast, as well as the importance of storytelling when looking to influence and engage people in you...

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