Do farmers truly own their John Deere equipment if independent technicians cannot access the software required to repair it?

Willie Cade, director of the Theo Brown Society and a board member of Repair.org, joins Skilled Nation to explain the fight over John Deere right to repair.

He breaks down the proposed $99 million settlement, the FTC’s role, state right-to-repair legislation, equipment ownership, diagnostic software, repair data, and the tools skilled technicians need to compete with authorized dealerships.

Willie also discusses how modern tractors have evolved into rolling computers, why experienced diesel mechanics can still be locked out of repairs, and how greater access could create new career and business opportunities for heavy-equipment technicians.

From mobile farm repair businesses to equipment that can cost more than $1 million, this conversation explores what right to repair means for farmers, independent repair shops, and the future of the skilled trades.

Skilled Nation celebrates the people whose knowledge and hands-on ability keep America running. It’s a way of life and a badge of honor.

#RightToRepair #JohnDeere #SkilledTrades #DieselMechanic #HeavyEquipment #FarmEquipment #IndependentRepair #AgriculturalTechnology #RepairTechnician #SkilledNation

A small mistake on a construction site can become a major expense once the walls close and the next trade moves in.

So how can apprentices, journeymen and experienced crews catch problems before they trigger costly rework?

Quality assurance inspector and electrical industry professional Will Lane joins Skilled Nation to break down the hidden “rework tax” created by missed details, misunderstood electrical codes, schedule pressure and poor communication.

He shares a mistake from his first job as an apprentice, explains why speaking up can protect an entire project and reveals what newer tradespeople can do to earn trust on the job.

The conversation also explores Code Buddy, a field tool designed to help construction professionals navigate electrical codes, project specifications and potential quality issues while the work is still accessible.

If you are entering the skilled trades, leading a construction crew or working in electrical quality assurance and quality control, this episode shows why asking the right question at the right time can save thousands of dollars.

Skilled Nation: A Way of Life. A Badge of Honor.

#SkilledTrades #ConstructionCareers #ElectricalApprentice #ConstructionQuality #SkilledNation

This Labor Day, Skilled Nation celebrates the people whose skill, determination and craftsmanship keep America moving.

Through stories from welders, electricians, HVAC professionals, builders, fabricators and more, this special episode explores the work happening behind the scenes, the dedication it takes to master a trade, and the pride that comes from building, fixing and creating something that matters.

#SkilledNation #LaborDay #SkilledTrades #BlueCollar #SkilledWorkers #TradesCareers #WorkforceDevelopment #Welding #Electricians #HVAC #Construction #MadeInAmerica #CareerTraining #FutureOfWork #essentialworkers

College isn't the only path to a successful career, but for students interested in construction and the skilled trades, figuring out where to start can be the hardest part.

In this episode of Skilled Nation, host Jimmy Rhoades talks with Corey Foster, Director of Workforce Development for the Arizona Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America, about what it really takes to turn an interest in construction into a career.

From CTE programs and apprenticeships to transportation, workplace expectations and the skills that can increase earning potential, Cory lays out a practical roadmap for young people considering the trades.

They also tackle the questions parents often have about safety, long-term opportunity and career growth, and explain why an apprenticeship can be much more than a first job.

Because getting into the industry is only the beginning.

The bigger question is: Where could you be 10 years from now?

#SkilledTrades #Apprenticeship #ConstructionCareers #CareerAdvice #WorkforceDevelopment #SkilledNation

What if we’re asking young people to choose a future before they’ve had the chance to see what’s possible?

In this episode of Skilled Nation, host Jimmy Rhoades sits down with Dr. Chad Wilson, Superintendent of the East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT), to explore why career exposure needs to start earlier and why college shouldn’t be the only pathway students are encouraged to consider.

From career and technical education (CTE) and hands-on learning to industry certifications and real-world experience, Dr. Wilson explains how exposure to different careers can help students discover strengths, interests, and opportunities they may never encounter in a traditional classroom. The conversation explores what it really means to be career-ready, how modern CTE has evolved far beyond the vocational programs many adults remember, and why parents, educators, and industry professionals all have a role to play in expanding what young people believe is possible.

They also look at where skilled work is headed as AI, automation, technology, and workforce shortages reshape the labor market, and why careers in welding, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, construction, automotive, advanced manufacturing, and other skilled trades may offer opportunities many students and families haven't considered.

Along the way, Dr. Wilson shares stories that challenge assumptions about how students learn, what career success can look like, and where technical skills can ultimately take someone. Because before a student can choose the right path, they first have to know that path exists.

#SkilledTrades #CareerTechnicalEducation #CTE #CareerReadiness #TradeCareers #WorkforceDevelopment #SkilledNation #EVIT

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