AI is changing the skilled trades, but what does that mean for the people doing the work?

As homes get smarter, tools become more connected and artificial intelligence makes its way into the field, the job of an HVAC technician is beginning to evolve. But the biggest changes may not be the ones people expect.

In this episode of Skilled Nation, host Jimmy Rhoades sits down with Jamie Quanrud of Resideo to look beyond the headlines and explore what the future of skilled work could really look like.

• What skills will matter most?
• How will AI change the way technicians diagnose problems and serve customers?
• What happens to decades of hands-on experience when technology can analyze massive amounts of information in seconds?
• And are young people entering the trades uniquely prepared for what’s coming next?

Jamie also shares what she’s seeing through Resideo Academy and her work with contractors, educators and the next generation of HVAC professionals.

If you work in the skilled trades, are considering an HVAC career or are wondering what AI means for hands-on jobs, this is a conversation you’ll want to hear.

Because the future of the trades is already taking shape.

Skilled Nation is sponsored by Tulsa Welding School.

It’s a way of life. A badge of honor.

#SkilledTrades #HVAC #ArtificialIntelligence #FutureOfWork #SkilledNation #HVACTechnician #TradeCareers #AI #SmartHome #WorkforceDevelopment

What if the career that changes your life is the one nobody ever told you about?

For Letty Bejarano and Rachel Miller, welding wasn't part of the plan. One followed the traditional path through college before realizing success on paper didn't feel like fulfillment. The other stumbled into a welding shop and instantly knew she had found where she belonged. Together, they turned those unexpected journeys into WeldHer Workshops, a movement that's introducing more women to careers they never imagined possible.

In this episode of Skilled Nation, they share the stories behind the sparks. From career pivots and self-doubt to building confidence with a welding hood for the first time, this conversation explores what it really takes to break into one of America's most in-demand industries. Along the way, they open up about mentorship, workplace culture, mental health in the trades, and why the biggest barrier isn't ability. It's awareness.

Whether you're a student wondering what comes after high school, a parent helping your child explore career options, or someone looking for a fresh start without taking on years of student debt, this episode may change the way you think about skilled trades.

• Why welding became a life-changing career for two women who never planned on it
• What more people need to know about apprenticeships and skilled trades
• The biggest myths keeping women out of welding and construction
• How WeldHer Workshops is opening doors for the next generation
• The truth about workplace culture, confidence, and belonging
• Why AI isn't replacing skilled trades anytime soon
• How mentorship and community can transform careers

If you've ever wondered whether college is the only path to success, or if there's a career out there you've never considered, this conversation is for you.

Subscribe to Skilled Nation for conversations with the people building America's future through welding, electrical, HVAC, construction, manufacturing, and the skilled trades.

#SkilledNation #WomenInWelding #Welding #SkilledTrades #WomenInTrades #Apprenticeship #CareerChange #TradeSchool #Construction #Manufacturing #BlueCollar #WorkforceDevelopment #FutureOfWork #CareerGrowth #UnionApprenticeship #WeldHer #JimmyRhoades

Women are helping reshape the future of the skilled trades, but barriers still exist.

In this episode of Skilled Nation, host Jimmy Rhoades sits down with Concetta Defa, electrician, workforce advocate, and host of Hire PowHER, to discuss why the skilled trades industry needs more women, what's changing on today's job sites, and what challenges still need to be solved.From apprenticeship opportunities and workforce shortages to childcare, mentorship, workplace culture, and career growth, this conversation explores how expanding access to skilled trades careers benefits workers, employers, and the entire economy.

Concetta also shares inspiring stories of women whose lives were transformed through careers in the electrical and energy industries, proving that skilled trades offer far more than a paycheck.

They create long-term career opportunities, financial stability, confidence, and generational impact.

In this episode:

• Why visibility and mentorship matter for women entering the trades

• The biggest misconceptions about women in construction and energy careers

• Why employers want to hire more women and what's still holding them back

• PPE, workplace culture, and creating more inclusive job sites

• Why childcare may be the biggest workforce issue facing the construction industry

• How skilled trades careers change lives for single mothers and families

• What women uniquely contribute to construction and skilled trades

• The future of energy careers and why demand continues to grow

• Practical advice for anyone considering an apprenticeship or career in the skilled trades

Whether you're exploring a career in construction, electrical work, HVAC, welding, utilities, renewable energy, or infrastructure, this episode offers an honest look at the opportunities available and the work still ahead.

#WomenInTrades #SkilledTrades #ConstructionCareers#EnergyJobs #Apprenticeship #WomenInConstruction#Electrician #WorkforceDevelopment