More than two years since the launch of its industry-leading podcast “The Fix,” Oatey Co. is continuing to advance the conversation around the skilled trades through an exciting lineup of podcast guests in 2024. “The Fix,” which aims to shed light on the significance of the skilled trades, elevates the voices of many thought leaders Read more
Explore The Trades
More than two years since the launch of its industry-leading podcast “The Fix,” Oatey Co. is continuing to advance the conversation around the skilled trades through an exciting lineup of podcast guests in 2024. “The Fix,” which aims to shed light on the significance of the skilled trades, elevates the voices of many thought leaders and influential organizations that share a commitment to educating, inspiring and empowering the next generation of trade professionals.
Already this year, “The Fix” co-hosts Katherine Lehtinen and Doug Buchan have been joined in conversation by several compelling guests. Lori Tschol, co-founder of Women in Plumbing and Piping (WiPP) and owner of Eagle Pipe Heating and Air, joined The Fix in January to share her unconventional journey into the trades and the proactive measures WiPP is taking to champion women. Earlier this month, Scott Caron, master electrician and co-host of “This Old House,” discussed his journey to becoming a master electrician and highlighted the pivotal role of trust, perseverance, and a supportive network in the trades.
Raising the bar for dynamic and community-oriented podcasting, Oatey also hosted its first live podcast show in January at the WWETT trade show in Indianapolis. Chris Price, president of the Indiana Construction Roundtable Foundation, chatted with Katherine Lehtinen and special guest co-host Danielle “Twig” Browne (@thelittlestplumber) about his organization’s efforts to foster the next generation of trades industry leaders, including K-12 and adult programs, plus creating opportunities for those who are overcoming hurdles like poverty and criminal backgrounds.
Listeners can look forward to a full slate of additional guests and topics in the coming year, including conversations with representatives of Women in Manufacturing, Explore the Trades and the Treasure Coast Builders Association.
“Each episode of ‘The Fix’ is much more than a conversation – it’s a connection and a commitment from Oatey to take action in supporting the pipeline of skilled trades talent,” says Katherine Lehtinen, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Oatey and co-host of ‘The Fix.’ “We are very intentional in following up with each of our guests to explore a further partnership, such as financial contributions, training support, in-person collaboration and beyond.”
New this year, listeners and followers can support “The Fix” initiative by purchasing Oatey-branded gear at www.oateyswag.com – each order helps fund donations and partnerships that champion the next generation of skilled trade professionals.
For the latest episode updates and more information, visit https://www.oatey.com/podcasts.
An industry-leading manufacturer of water heating and storage equipment gives $8,000 to further national nonprofit’s mission and raise awareness of skilled trades career opportunities Bradford White Corporation, an industry-leading manufacturer of water heaters, boilers and storage tanks, announces a new partnership with Explore The Trades that aims to bridge the technical talent gap in the service trades Read more
An industry-leading manufacturer of water heating and storage equipment gives $8,000 to further national nonprofit’s mission and raise awareness of skilled trades career opportunities
Bradford White Corporation, an industry-leading manufacturer of water heaters, boilers and storage tanks, announces a new partnership with Explore The Trades that aims to bridge the technical talent gap in the service trades and advance positive public awareness of the plumbing and HVAC industry.
Explore The Trades, a nonprofit organization founded in 2005, is bridging the technical talent gap to the skilled trades of plumbing, heating, cooling, and electrical by raising awareness of the skilled trades, serving an integral role in lessening the skilled labor gap and acting as a partner to both education and industry with the goal of creating the next generation of technicians.
Through Industry Forward®, its signature charitable giving program developed to help advance the industry and raise awareness of career opportunities, Bradford White Corporation is donating $8,000 to Explore The Trades. The contribution supports the creation of 1,000 poster kits showcasing careers in the skilled trades that will be distributed to educators and counselors across North America.
“Over the past generation, awareness of the skilled trades has nearly become extinct,” said Kate Cinnamo, executive director at Explore The Trades. “Yet many students, parents and educators lack access to information about the career opportunities in the service trades, manufacturing and distribution that are vital to our communities. We’re proud to partner with Bradford White to close that information gap. Their support enables us to serve as the conduit between industry and education so we can engage the audiences who are vital to the growth of the trades.”
Bradford White partners with nonprofit organizations and technical schools to educate individuals and families on the importance of the skilled trades and the role that industry professionals provide in the health, safety, sanitation, and infrastructure of their communities through strategic grant funding that supports workforce development training and education programs and industry career opportunities, events, and partnerships.
“We are thrilled to partner with Explore The Trades and expand our reach by connecting with students, parents and educators in an exciting new way,” said Rebecca Owens, senior communications manager for Bradford White. “As more teens and young adults consider the financial impact of attending a four-year college, we will continue to advocate for the option of a stable career in an essential industry. Joining with Explore The Trades to pursue our shared mission helps us reach more individuals that may be interested in the plumbing and HVAC fields than ever before.”
For more information about Bradford White Corporation’s Industry Forward® initiative, visit www.bradfordwhitecorporation.com/giving/.
Explore The Trades is a nonprofit with a mission of bridging the technical talent gap to the service trades of plumbing, heating, cooling, and electrical. For more information, please visit explorethetrades.org/who-we-are/.