Fired Up Podcast: A Trade Collective Production
Fired Up Podcast: A Trade Collective Production
Welcome to the Fired Up Podcast, a local production focused on the Evanston community and the approximately 10 mile radius surrounding it. This show is a dedicated space for the conversations that matter most to our local students, families and businesses. We are exploring how to bridge the gap between high school education and the high paying, dignified careers waiting in the skilled trades.
For too long, our community has looked elsewhere for talent while our own students navigated uncertain paths after graduation. We are here to change that narrative. Hosted by Patrick Hughes and Dr. Pete Bavis, this podcast brings together parents, industry leaders, and educators to explore what it actually means to be trade ready in the modern workforce.
What to expect on the show:
- Industry Insights: We sit down with local experts in manufacturing, automotive, plumbing, and other sectors to understand the real world demand right here in our own backyard.
- Educational Reform: We discuss the two pieces of paper vision, which emphasizes the power of a high school diploma paired with a professional credential to create immediate career security.
- Community Connection: We share stories from the shop floor and the classroom, highlighting the spark that happens when a student discovers a passion for building and creating.
- Candid Conversations: These are sincere discussions about how we can better support our youth and strengthen our local economy through direct industry exposure.
Meet Your Hosts:
- Patrick Hughes: The Founder and Chief Connector of The Trade Collective. Patrick is an Evanston entrepreneur and advocate who has spent decades building inclusive partnerships through organizations like Natural Ties and Inclusion Solutions.
- Dr. Pete Bavis: The Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction at Evanston Township High School. A veteran educator with over 16 years of leadership, Pete is a champion for academic rigor and ensuring every student has access to a successful pathway.
Whether you are a parent looking for options for your child, an employer searching for your next great hire, or a neighbor invested in seeing Evanston thrive, it is time to listen in.
New episodes drop every other Tuesday.
Join the movement:
- Website: thetradecollective.org
- Social Media: @The Trade Collective
Igniting the future of the skilled trades. Let's get fired up!
Fired Up Podcast: A Trade Collective Production
Fired Up Podcast Ep.4 | Igniting Equity From Cradle to Career
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Fires are sparking in the minds of our high school students and we are here to discuss how to cradle these flames. 🔥
Evanston Cradle to Career (EC2C) works throughout Evanston to advance equity in the community. EC2C is a collective impact initiative that brings together over 40 partner organizations and 150 community members to create a more fair and equitable community. Their primary goal is to ensure that all youth in Evanston have the resources and opportunities to lead healthy, productive, and satisfying lives by the time they reach age 23.
In the third full episode of the Fired Up Podcast, a production of The Trade Collective, our hosts Dr. Pete Bavis and Patrick Hughes sit down with Kimberly Holmes-Ross and Baxter Swilley to discuss their work with EC2C. This episode digs into how we can support students in education and career paths while recognizing the structural inequities in our communities. They also discuss how we can holistically support students from classrooms to careers.
Meet The Guests:
🎙️Kimberly Holmes-Ross has been working in social services for over 25 years. This experience includes her current work with Evanston Cradle to Career where she is currently the Executive Director. Kimberly strongly believes in fighting inequalities by uplifting less often heard voices through community support.
🎙️ Baxter Swilley has a background in political and corporate in communications. He is currently working as the communications manager for Evanston Cradle to Career. Baxter believes in communicating with the community to discuss and combat inequity.
In this episode, we discuss:
🔥What are the goals of EC2C and how do they support students?
🔥What is collective impact? How do we exponentially grow the impact of our collaborations? How does this translate into the skilled trades workforce?
🔥How do we open conversations about race both within our communities and when helping students work towards career opportunities?
🔥How do we expand our image of who belongs in the skilled trades?
Join the Movement: New episodes drop every other Tuesday.
Review the full vision and follow our journey on social media:
Website: https://www.thetradecollective.org/
Instagram: @the_trade_collective
Threads: @the_trade_collective
Facebook: The Trade Collective
LinkedIn: The Trade Collective
Contact & Support:
General Inquiries: info@thetradecollective.org
Igniting the future of the skilled trades. Let's get fired up! 🔥