The Fix

Oatey Co.

The Fix is the podcast made for the trades - built to support tradespeople, promote education, foster innovation and inspire the next generation of essential pros. Coming to you from Oatey University and hosted by Oatey Co.’s Katherine Lehtinen, Senior Vice President of Brand and Digital Marketing, and Doug Buchan, Licensed Master Plumber and Technical Applications Manager. Each episode, you’ll hear from real trade experts in various fields, including plumbing, HVAC, electrical and more. They’ll explore everything from overcoming obstacles and combatting common misconceptions faced in the trades, as well as how to grow the talent pipeline and ensure the longevity of the industry. For additional resources, visit www.oatey.com or follow @oatey_co on Instagram. read less

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Empowering Women in West Virginia: Breaking Barriers in the Skilled Trades

Empowering Women in West Virginia: Breaking Barriers in the Skilled 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.orgFollow WV Women Work on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn

Episodes

Empowering Women in West Virginia: Breaking Barriers in the Skilled Trades

Empowering Women in West Virginia: Breaking Barriers in the Skilled 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.orgFollow WV Women Work on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn

Plumbing the Depths: Myths, Tech, and Triumphs with Oatey Ambassadors Nick Merritt & Justin Noftle

Plumbing the Depths: Myths, Tech, and Triumphs with Oatey Ambassadors Nick Merritt & Justin Noftle

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.Follow Nick on Instagram.

Pipes, Plans, and the Future: A Plumber's Journey with Oatey Ambassador Jeff Keller

Pipes, Plans, and the Future: A Plumber's Journey with Oatey Ambassador Jeff Keller

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.

Elevating Tile Industry: National Tile Contractors Association's Mission

Elevating Tile Industry: National Tile Contractors Association's Mission

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.

Bringing Back the Trades with Doug Winston

Bringing Back the Trades with Doug Winston

This week on The Fix, we sat down with Doug Winston, board member of Bring Back the Trades! Bring Back the Trades is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the skilled trades as a viable and rewarding career path. The organization provides scholarships to students interested in trade schools and organizes community events while collaborating with educators, leaders, and vendors to change the societal perception of trade careers.Follow Bring Back the Trades on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

Rebuilding the Future: Empowering the Construction Workforce with Crew Collaborative

Rebuilding the Future: Empowering the Construction Workforce with Crew Collaborative

This week on The Fix, Kristina McMillan, Founder of Crew Collaborative, takes us on a deep dive into the organization's mission of strengthening the blue-collar workforce, particularly in the construction industry. We learn how Crew Collaborative is changing the perception of construction careers with innovative tactics, such as the Classroom Talks, Ambassador Program, and Framework, designed to educate high school students, support small businesses, and foster innovation. Learn more at https://crewcollab.org/, and follow Crew Collaborative on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Trade Transformations: Leveling the Field with Hacia Atherton

Trade Transformations: Leveling the Field with Hacia Atherton

We're going down under his week on The Fix!Hacia Atherton, the founder of Empowered Women in the Trades in Australia, joins us to discuss her organization's mission to transform the trades industry through the empowerment of women and non-binary individuals. EWIT collaborates with educational institutions and industry leaders to address the national skills shortage in Australia, emphasizing the importance of diversity and inclusivity in the industry.Follow Empowered Women in the Trades on LinkedIn and Instagram.

Uncovering Career Opportunities with Explore The Trades

Uncovering Career Opportunities with Explore The Trades

Kate Cinnamo, Toni Bower, and Maddy Sorenson from Explore The Trades join The Fix to share their paths to the organization and talk about their passion for advocating for plumbing, HVAC, and electrical careers. They also delve into discussions on dispelling common myths about blue-collar jobs, fostering diversity in the trades, forming collaborations with schools, and partnering with industry allies. Follow Explore The Trades on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Pinterest.

Breaking Barriers and Empowering Women in Manufacturing with Allison Grealis

Breaking Barriers and Empowering Women in Manufacturing with Allison Grealis

In this episode of The Fix, we sat down with Allison Grealis, Founder and President of Women in Manufacturing, to talk about her journey in the manufacturing industry and how her organization has influenced women in the field. Grealis emphasizes the importance of increasing career awareness, promoting modern manufacturing, and the benefits of education, networking, and mentorship in helping women overcome obstacles in this field.For more info visit: www.womeninmanufacturing.org Follow Women in Manufacturing on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.

Mastering the Craft: A Deeper Dive into Trades Education with Trades Education Center

Mastering the Craft: A Deeper Dive into Trades Education with Trades Education Center

Chris Griffin and Keith Dorton from the Trades Education Center delve into their inspiration behind the center's inception and their vision for the future of the trades industry. They underscore the significance of practical experience in trade education and share how their curriculum incorporates this essential element. Additionally, they reveal their expansion plans, which include diversifying into other trades and providing test prep for journeymen and master plumbers.Learn more at www.trades-ed.org and follow along on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

Shaping the Future of the Trades Industry with Treasure Coast Builders Association

Shaping the Future of the Trades Industry with Treasure Coast Builders Association

This week on The Fix, we sat down with James Brann, Chair of the Workforce Task Force at the Treasure Coast Builders Association. where we delved into misconceptions, technological advancements, and collaborative efforts aimed at ensuring a vibrant future for the trades industry. Learn more about Treasure Coast Builders Association at www.treasurecoastba.com.

Bridging the Gap Between Tradespeople and Job Opportunities with BlueRecruit

Bridging the Gap Between Tradespeople and Job Opportunities with BlueRecruit

Gina and Rich Camacho, Co-Founders of BlueRecruit discuss this revolutionary platform that connects skilled tradespeople with hiring companies. BlueRecruit offers personalized career paths and has been praised by both employers and job seekers for its effectiveness in matching job opportunities with the right skills and certifications. The company collaborates closely with accredited trade schools, facilitating a continuous talent pipeline while offering tailored career paths for job seekers.Follow BlueRecruit on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

Illuminating the Trades: Scott Caron on Mastery, Competitions, and Changing Perceptions

Illuminating the Trades: Scott Caron on Mastery, Competitions, and Changing Perceptions

Scott Caron, master electrician and co-host of 'This Old House,' shares his journey to becoming a master electrician and highlights the pivotal role of trust, perseverance, and a supportive network in the trades. He also talks about his ongoing commitment to improving the perception of trades.Scott also discusses the Elite Trades Championship Series, a high-profile competition epitomizing skills across trade sectors, including the Plumbing National Championships, which will kick off in the spring of 2024. Follow Plumbing National Championship on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Tapping Potential: The Connecticut Technical Education and Career System Approach to Integrating Academics and Skilled Trades

Tapping Potential: The Connecticut Technical Education and Career System Approach to Integrating Academics and Skilled Trades

In this episode of The Fix podcast, Brent McCartney and Pat Ciarleglio from Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS) discuss how their institution offers a range of technical high school career paths. They highlight their unique blend of academic and trade education, tailored to industry needs with a focus on experiential learning. The pair also touch on CTECS's apprenticeship programs, future expansion plans for adult education, and their vision for a future where tradespeople are respected, valued, and prioritize safety on job sites.Follow Connecticut Technical Education and Career System on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

LIVE from The WWETT Show 2024: Chris Price, Indiana Construction Roundtable Foundation

LIVE from The WWETT Show 2024: Chris Price, Indiana Construction Roundtable Foundation

Chris Price, president of the Indiana Construction Roundtable Foundation, joins us to talk about their efforts to foster the next generation of trades industry leaders. Price discusses both K-12 and adult programs, striving to create opportunities and training for individuals with a focus on overcoming hurdles such as poverty and criminal backgrounds. With their tech-forward approach, including VR in training, and having reached 70,000 students, the foundation hopes to see its successful workforce strategies replicated across the country.To learn more about the Indiana Construction Roundtable Foundation, visit www.indianaconstructionfoundation.com.

Breaking Barriers and Championing Women in the Plumbing Industry

Breaking Barriers and Championing Women in the Plumbing Industry

Lori Tschol, co-founder of Women in Plumbing and Piping (WIPP) and owner of Eagle Pipe Heating and Air, joins us to share her unconventional journey into the trades and the proactive measures WIPP is taking to champion women. Tschol also discusses the critical roles of mentorship, networking, education, and recognition in showcasing the invaluable contributions of women in the plumbing and piping industry.

Navigating Success, Sustainability, and Diversity in Wholesale Distribution with Katie Poehling-Seymour

Navigating Success, Sustainability, and Diversity in Wholesale Distribution with Katie Poehling-Seymour

In the latest episode of The Fix, Katie Poehling-Seymour, President and CEO of First Supply, delves into her story of success within the wholesale distribution sector. She discusses First Supply's longevity and the issues and prospects within the trades industry. The episode also explores her commitment to diversity, inclusivity, and advocating for women in the trades, along with the importance of sustainability and industry innovation. Follow First Supply on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Pioneering Pathways: Angela Collins on Shaping the Future of the Plumbing and HVAC Industries

Pioneering Pathways: Angela Collins on Shaping the Future of the Plumbing and HVAC Industries

Angela Collins, Chief Learning Officer at PHCC Educational Foundation, narrates her journey into the trades and shares insights about the growth of PHCC Academy. Angela touches on the mission, vision and key initiatives of the PHCC Educational Foundation and their innovative approach with industry partners.

Oatey Ambassadors - Evan Berns & Shay Lorette

Oatey Ambassadors - Evan Berns & Shay Lorette

Oatey Ambassadors Evan Berns (@re.plumb) and Shay Lorette (@that.plumber.dude) share their experiences in the plumbing industry and as influencers within the trade community. The pair touched on the significance of developing regular content that resonates with their values and aligning with like-minded brands. They discussed the importance of advocating for trade careers to the younger generation, emphasizing their potential as rewarding professional paths.Follow Evan on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTubeFollow Shay on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube

Using Technology to Shape the Future of Skilled Trades

Using Technology to Shape the Future of Skilled Trades

Keith Williams, the CEO of Skill Stadium, discusses his innovative platform that links job seekers and employers in the skilled trades industry. The platform leverages video technology to enable users to present their skills and abilities in a unique manner. Williams' ambition is not only to transform the industry through Skill Stadium, but also to dispel stereotypes and promote these trades as respected professions offering equal opportunities to all.Learn more at www.skillstadium.com.