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.5 | Building Opportunities in Construction
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Today we’re talking about the blueprint for careers in carpentry and construction.
Welcome to the fifth episode of the Fired Up Podcast, a production of The Trade Collective. In this episode, our co-hosts Dr. Pete Bavis and Patrick Hughes sit down with Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss and John Kenny Jr. of Kenny Construction to discuss career pathways in construction and local opportunities such as the new Ryan Field Stadium project at Northwestern University.
Meet The Guests:
🎙️Daniel Biss: Mayor Biss has been in public service for over a decade, as both a representative and a senator in the Illinois legislature, and now as the Mayor of Evanston. Throughout his career, he has been a champion for the community and advocate for local workers.
🎙️ John Kenny Jr.: John is the former CEO of Kenny Construction Company which has been working in the Chicagoland area for decades. He made a name for himself when he was called on by Chicago’s Mayor Daley to help stop the historic 1992 Chicago flood. He brings to the table over 30 years of construction and contracting experience.
In this episode, we discuss:
🔥 How can we create local construction jobs at the government level?
🔥 How do we make construction careers more accessible?
🔥 From a local workforce and government perspective, how can a big project, like Ryan Field, create career opportunities in the community?
Join the Movement: New episodes drop every other Tuesday. (Special episode out today!)
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! 🔥