Aaron Valencia is living proof that the skilled trades can change lives. After overcoming addiction, homelessness, and incarceration, he found stability and purpose through hands-on work – first in house painting, then in classic car restoration. The trades didn’t just give him a second chance, they gave him a future and the chance to change the trajectory of others’ lives. That experience inspired him to start Lost Angels Career Center (https://www.lostangelscp.org/) in Lancaster, California, a nonprofit offering 12-week vocational training for underserved and at-risk youth. Using classic cars as the hook, the program teaches welding, bodywork, mechanics, CNC machining and composites—while also instilling soft skills, structure, and a deep sense of community. The program boasts a 97% graduation rate and a 95% job placement rate, with many alumni moving directly into careers in aerospace. A forward-thinking force in workforce development, Aaron is vocal about dismantling toxic job site culture, building retention through empathy, and creating a more inclusive, purpose-driven path for young people. In this interview we cover: > Aaron’s path into the trades: From poverty to getting into classic car restoration > How he's rebuilding lives through classic cars > Breaking down the stigma around blue-collar work > Accountability, developing this next generation's soft skills & second chances > Toxic job site culture and what needs to change > Community as the catalyst in helping young people > You can go anywhere: Your past doesn’t define your future ----- Guest info: Aaron Valencia, Executive Director & Founder, Lost Angels Career Center (https://www.lostangelscp.org/) Follow on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVu4vh1pEMB-AwiMgGWISFA), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/lostangelscp?fref=ts), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/lost_angels_career_center/), TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@lostangelscareercenter) Connect with The Skilled Project (http://theskilledproject.com/): Founder, Amanda Luchetti (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-luchetti/); ✉️: amanda@theskilledproject.com (mailto:amanda@theskilledproject.com) Follow on Instagram, (https://www.instagram.com/theskilledproject/) TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@theskilledproject) & LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-skilled-project) Subscribe to newsletter Like the podcast? 🎧 Subscribe to the podcast Leave a kickass review Know someone Skilled AF? Submit a story here (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf0GmqZQILiYJItHLvRit0rF54DGspFRJSii2mSH0Gf-2nbCg/viewform?usp=sf_link) Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Hayley Campbell, better known as Sparket Cadet, is a FIFO (fly-in, fly-out) electrical apprentice working in the mining industry in Brisbane, Australia. After a decade in hospitality, she took a leap at age 30 to chase a hands-on career in the trades—one of the best decisions of her life. Now, she’s thriving in a field she once thought was out of reach, proving that it’s never too late to rewrite your story. From working on massive equipment at a mining site to embracing her neurodivergence as a strength, Hayley’s journey is a powerful reminder that with the right mindset, support, and willingness to start over, anything is possible. In this interview we cover: > Entering the Mining Industry – Hayley started in hospitality at 18 before transitioning into electrical work > Finding Electrical as a Career in Her 30s – After being laid off during COVID, she pursued an electrical apprenticeship despite initial doubts > Mining Innovation & Career Pathways – From massive Cat 7495 shovels to autonomous trucks, Hayley describes her work on cutting-edge mining tech and the foundational skillsets she’s learning that can take you anywhere > ADHD & Neurodivergence in the Trades – She shares her struggles with traditional education, her recent ADHD diagnosis, and why hands-on work suits neurodivergent minds > The Physical Demands & Benefits of Trade Work –Hayley debunks the myth that trades wreck your body, emphasizing strength, flexibility, and movement > Age Is Just a Number: Entering the Trades Later in Life – She highlights the value of mature apprentices and shares the story of a 52-year-old in her training > The Power of a Single Conversation – A chance encounter with a female tradeswoman set Hayley on her path, proving the impact of representation ----- Guest info: Hayley Campbell aka SparketCadet– 2nd Year FIFO Electrical Apprentice Follow on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/sparketcadet/), TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@sparket_cadet) Connect with The Skilled Project (http://theskilledproject.com): Founder, Amanda Luchetti (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-luchetti/); ✉️: amanda@theskilledproject.com (mailto:amanda@theskilledproject.com) Follow on Instagram, (https://www.instagram.com/theskilledproject/) TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@theskilledproject) & LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-skilled-project) Subscribe to newsletter Like the podcast? 🎧 Subscribe to the podcast Leave a kickass review Know someone Skilled AF? Submit a story here (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf0GmqZQILiYJItHLvRit0rF54DGspFRJSii2mSH0Gf-2nbCg/viewform?usp=sf_link) Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Marie Patterson is a force in construction. As the first female Chair of Chico State’s Construction Management Department (https://www.csuchico.edu/academics/college/engineering/departments/construction-management/), she’s making major impact on the future workforce. With 15+ years in the field, working for major plumbing and mechanical contractors specializing in large process piping, Marie’s journey has come full circle—returning to Chico State to blend real-world experience with education to guide the next generation of leaders into the construction industry. Beyond the classroom, she’s an advisor to construction student clubs, ASC Mechanical Team Coach, and was recognized as MCAA (https://www.mcaa.org/)’s Teacher of the Year (2022-23). In this interview we cover: > Choosing Construction – Why Marie pursued construction management and how that decision shaped her career > Breaking into the Industry – Her start at a plumbing and mechanical contractor specializing in large process piping—and where it led her > Boomeranging Back to Chico State – From industry to academia and why she returned to teach > Evolving Construction Education – How she’s integrating hands-on learning, partnering with Ag Mechanics, and fostering respect for the trades > Sustainability & Climate Resilience – The role of construction in mitigating climate change, wildfire adaptation, and resilience strategies > Recruiting the Next Generation – How she’s attracting students into construction management > Almost 100% Job Placement – How her students land $70K-$100K starting salaries, thanks to a high-ROI degree with built-in paid internships > What’s Holding the Industry Back – Her POV on the biggest barrier to attracting new talent into construction > Advice to Her Younger Self – Words of wisdom for the next generation of builders and leaders ----- Guest info: Marie Patterson, Chico State Construction Management Department Chair & Associate Professor Learn more about the program here (https://www.csuchico.edu/academics/college/engineering/departments/construction-management/) Connect with The Skilled Project (http://theskilledproject.com) Founder, Amanda Luchetti (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-luchetti/); ✉️: amanda@theskilledproject.com (mailto:amanda@theskilledproject.com) Follow on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/theskilledproject/), TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@theskilledproject) & LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-skilled-project) Like the podcast? 🎧 Subscribe to the podcast Leave a kickass review Know someone Skilled AF? Submit a story here (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf0GmqZQILiYJItHLvRit0rF54DGspFRJSii2mSH0Gf-2nbCg/viewform?usp=sf_link) Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

From sweeping shop floors to now leading a business unit at one of the top 5 ENR General Contractor companies in the world, 34-year-old Ryan “Ike” Eisenhaurer, also known as Coach Ike, has quickly risen through the ranks of the construction industry—channeling serious Drake “started from the bottom, now we’re here” energy. Outside of his role as a construction executive, Ike is a father of two and the founder of ConstructionMentor.org (https://constructionmentor.org/), a platform dedicated to raising awareness about opportunities in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. Through his podcast (https://constructionmentor.org/pages/podcasts), social media channels, courses, and coaching, Ike is passionate about mentoring and inspiring the next generation to explore careers in the construction world. In this interview we cover: > Ike’s early start in residential construction as a teenager and how it shaped his career > His path to earning a mechanical engineering degree, which led to an internship designing HVAC, plumbing and fire protection systems for Boston-Logan Airport at 19 > Money, money, money… ROI of going into the trades vs. college and how young people (and their parents) need to be thinking about the opportunity costs today > Why the construction industry struggles with marketing itself and what needs to change – i.e. messaging and the messenger > The importance of mentorship, beyond just opening doors, and the impact it had on Ike’s life, especially as a kid who grew up in a turbulent household > The limitless potential in construction careers and debunking common myths about the industry ----- Guest info: Ryan "Ike" Eisenhauer, founder @ Construction Mentor (https://constructionmentor.org/) Host of Construction Mentor podcast (https://constructionmentor.org/pages/podcasts) Connect/follow Ike on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/the_construction_mentor), TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@the_construction_mentor) & YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuXm3bqcZ1CZkT5rVKi7Y6Q) Connect with The Skilled Project (http://theskilledproject.com): Founder, Amanda Luchetti (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-luchetti/); ✉️: amanda@theskilledproject.com (mailto:amanda@theskilledproject.com) Follow on Instagram, (https://www.instagram.com/theskilledproject/) TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@theskilledproject) and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-skilled-project) Like the podcast? 🎧 Subscribe to the podcast Leave a kickass review Know someone Skilled AF? Submit a story here (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf0GmqZQILiYJItHLvRit0rF54DGspFRJSii2mSH0Gf-2nbCg/viewform?usp=sf_link) Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Juanita Douglas (https://www.linkedin.com/in/juanita-douglas-4105583a/) is a true pioneer. In 1984, seeking better pay to support herself and her 7-year-old son, she became a union commercial carpenter in Petaluma, CA, and quickly fell in love with the trade. After a successful 30+ year career as a carpenter and later a surveyor, she retired, only to return to the industry. Now, as Senior Manager of Construction and Labor Relations for Rising Sun Center for Opportunity (https://risingsunopp.org/), she helps prepare youth, women, and reentry individuals for high road careers that offer family sustaining wages in the construction trades. In this interview we cover: > Landing her job as commercial carpenter and the retelling of her wild story of having to go job site to job site until she found a role > Hurdles she faced being a BIPOC woman and single mother and how she overcame them > How she stayed physically fit for the job – there’s a fun fact in this one > Her journey from carpenter to surveyor and how she made the switch > Her role in developing the workforce that built the Warriors’ Chase Center which led to finding her passion as a teacher > Her role now at Rising Sun and info about their Opportunity Build program – a certified pre-apprenticeship program for a career in the construction trades, that has a heavy focus on getting women into the industry > The wraparound services that Opportunity Build’s program provides participants post graduation – childcare financial support, mental health services and drug counseling > How she’s training people through the lens of building decarbonization and the new local pathways they’re creating around heat pumps > Biggest myth about construction she’s heard > Her love for the industry and advice to the next generation ----- Guest info: Juanita Douglas, Construction & Labor Relations Manager @ Rising Sun Center for Opportunity; (https://risingsunopp.org/)✉️: douglas@risingsunopp.org (mailto:douglas@risingsunopp.org) Connect/follow Rising Sun on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/risingsunopp/) & LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/rising-sun-opp/) Opportunity Build pre-apprenticeship program info here (https://risingsunopp.org/programs/opportunity-build/) ----- Connect with The Skilled Project (http://theskilledproject.com): Founder, Amanda Luchetti (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-luchetti/); ✉️: amanda@theskilledproject.com (mailto:amanda@theskilledproject.com) Follow on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/theskilledproject/) & LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-skilled-project) Like the podcast? 🎧 Subscribe to the podcast Leave a kickass review Submit a story to feature here (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf0GmqZQILiYJItHLvRit0rF54DGspFRJSii2mSH0Gf-2nbCg/viewform?usp=sf_link) Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Kellye Wulfers (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellye-wulfers-39bb4b112/), leads Marketing at M3 Services (https://www.m3svs.com/), an Arkansas-based HVAC company specializing in energy reduction services. Kellye has an incredible reinvention story having transitioned from a career as a fashion designer in New York to the construction industry. As one of the first employees at M3 and now as an executive team member, she’s played a critical role in shaping and growing the company across the southern U.S. In this interview we cover: Her journey from fashion to construction and why she made the switch Opportunities she’s gained at M3 and what excites her most Skills she’s transferred from fashion to construction The work that M3 is doing across the southern part of the U.S. and how they’ve been able to leverage energy utility programs The impact M3 is having on local workforce, blowing up the “good ol’ boys” way of working, and operating from a servant leadership model to attract and retain the next generation of talent New skilled trades roles M3 has created called Energy Reduction Technicians that complement traditional HVAC positions and are part of this shift towards clean energy ---- Guest info: ℹ️ Kellye Wulfers (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellye-wulfers-39bb4b112/), Marketing Director @ M3 Services (https://www.m3svs.com/) Connect/follow M3 on Facebook, (https://www.facebook.com/mouton3services) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/mouton3services/)& LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/m3-servicesllc/) ---- Connect with The Skilled Project (http://theskilledproject.com): Founder, Amanda Luchetti (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-luchetti/); ✉️: amanda@theskilledproject.com (mailto:amanda@theskilledproject.com) Follow on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/theskilledproject/) & LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-skilled-project) Subscribe to newsletter Like the podcast? 🎧 Subscribe to the podcast Leave a kickass review Know someone SkilledAF? Submit a story here (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf0GmqZQILiYJItHLvRit0rF54DGspFRJSii2mSH0Gf-2nbCg/viewform?usp=sf_link) Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Jessica (Jessi) Lynn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jlynn89/), is Director of Strategic Initiatives for Johnson Controls where she supports Sustainable Infrastructure business operations. She started her career in welding, went back to school to get her construction management degree, and then an MBA. Jessi’s story is one of resilience and hope. She has and continues to be a voice for diverse representation across the skilled trades and the construction industry as a whole. In this interview we cover: > Jessi’s upbringing and navigating the education system from a low income household with little resources > Her struggle in high school and with self-doubt– getting in fights, not feeling book smart > How she “stumbled” into welding. As her mom says, “welding saved her” > The doors of opportunity that welding provided, including financial freedom > Her career path which she describes as “scattered circles” vs. a clear path > The unique perspective she has now being in a corporate boardroom given her upbringing and welding journey > What companies need to do a better job at when it comes to recruiting diverse and inclusive talent into both the trades and the construction industry > Why diverse representation is so important > The clean energy transition and impact of new technology on workforce development > Who should consider a career in welding and why > The career opportunities, including entrepreneurship, that exist in the skilled trades ---- Guest info: ℹ️ Jessi Lynn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jlynn89/), Director of Strategic Initiatives, Sustainable Infrastructure @ Johnson Controls Her company, PivotHIGHer (https://www.pivothigher.coach/) Follow on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/truth_woman_in_construction/) ----- Connect with The Skilled Project (http://theskilledproject.com/): Founder, Amanda Luchetti (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-luchetti/); ✉️: amanda@theskilledproject.com (mailto:amanda@theskilledproject.com) Follow on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/theskilledproject/) & LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-skilled-project) Like the podcast? 🎧 Subscribe to the podcast Leave a kickass review Submit a story here (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf0GmqZQILiYJItHLvRit0rF54DGspFRJSii2mSH0Gf-2nbCg/viewform?usp=sf_link) Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.