She Changed The Game, Now You Can Letter In A Trade

From the SkillsUSA National Conference in Atlanta, Dennis sits down with Karman Warner, Executive Director of SkillsUSA Washington, who’s changing the way schools view success.

She’s helping students letter in the trades instead of sports, giving them real recognition, and real futures. They talk about the growing movement across Washington, the first youth apprenticeship program in state history, and how SkillsUSA is redefining education for the next generation.

If you care about students, the future workforce, or the trades, this episode will inspire you.

Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome to the Trade Traction Podcast Roadshow
00:26 – Meet Karman Warner, Executive Director of SkillsUSA Washington
01:17 – Why so few people know about SkillsUSA
02:15 – How SkillsUSA combines all student organizations into one powerful network
02:27 – From 2,000 to 7,000 members — Washington’s explosive growth
03:02 – The problem with the “everyone must go to college” mindset
03:40 – The two big problems with America’s workforce
04:01 – How the trades let students “earn while they learn”
05:21 – The idea that changed everything: Lettering in the Trades
06:39 – The first student to earn a SkillsUSA letter jacket
07:07 – Why trades students deserve the same recognition as athletes
08:25 – How SkillsUSA builds both technical and professional skills
09:02 – What makes SkillsUSA students “the desirable applicants”
09:27 – How to bring SkillsUSA to your school
10:36 – Washington launches its first youth apprenticeship program
11:13 – Students can now start earning apprenticeship hours in high school
12:11 – Why giving kids hands-on paths can change their future
12:55 – How trades training helps reduce crime and wasted potential
13:52 – Why industry needs to step up and get involved
14:36 – The story that proves how SkillsUSA changes lives
14:59 – Closing thoughts: one student at a time, one trade at a time

Guest: Karman Warner, Executive Director, SkillsUSA Washington
Location: SkillsUSA 2025, Atlanta

The Podcast that helps plumbing and heating service contractors stop working for free and actually turn a profit.

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