Building PA Podcast
Building PA Podcast
Workforce Development - Evolve Training
Patricia Robinson of Evolve Training shares the details of her company and how it impacts the School District of Harrisburg with Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien on the Building PA Podcast. Her company's workforce training skills benefit the construction industry through hard and soft skills along with various methods of self-improvement.
Hello, and welcome to another episode of building Pennsylvania. My name is John O'Brien and I'm from the Keystone contractors association. And this is Chris Morton with Atlas marketing. Hey, Chris, hope you're ready for today. We're going to talk some more workforce development. Hope that's okay with you. I can't wait. And I understand that we've got a great, a great person joining us to talk about that and, uh, absolutely. Absolutely. Yeah. We have a Patricia Robinson, the founder and owner of evolve training. Um, Patricia is calling in from Harrisburg, I believe. Yeah. So welcome. Welcome to the podcast.
Speaker 2:Thank you. Thank you for inviting me.
Speaker 1:Yeah. So before we dive in and we focus on your efforts in workforce development, why don't you let our listeners know who is Patricia and what is evolve?
Speaker 2:Well again, my name is Patricia Robinson and evolve, training and development is a training, uh, company. Um, we focus primarily on personal development and per and professional development. And we've now moved into some other areas of development in terms of, um, the trades. And we're working with young people to help them help develop a pipeline for students that are in middle school to high school age, um, to be able to get into an, a program, an apprenticeship program, or at least getting to a trades program that meets their skillset.
Speaker 1:Now this, this day and age, it seems like workforce development is the big buzz word. Everyone wants to talk about it, whether it's in the media, legislators, school boards, everyone's talking workforce development. Um, I, I can honestly say, even though I've known you a short time, a few months here, you, you talk the talk and you walk the walk, many, many people just throw that word out there. And, you know, for starters, before we jump into this interview, I just want to commend you for your efforts and, uh, keep it up. The industry needs this. So
Speaker 2:thank you. Thank you. I truly appreciate that. Thank you so much.
Speaker 1:Yeah. Do you want to just talk about the program for a little like the various trades that you, uh, that you handle?
Speaker 2:Yes. Yes. We focus on primarily right now on three traits and those traits will be carpentry, plumbing, and electrical. Um, we're going to be moving in to other areas of three other areas, which will be HVAC, um, welding and possibly graphic design. Um, but our main focus right now is carpentry, plumbing, plumbing, and electrical. We are, we're being doing a six week program. That's just how the program started by just, um, looking at students who were not interested in going to a four year college, um, and just didn't know where they direction they were going into, but himself asking the question, what am I going to do next? When I get out of high school, or even as, as young as middle school asking the question, like, what am I going to do? I really don't want to go to a four year school. So I don't know where, where direction I'm going. And so we developed this program to start with middle school age, because that is the key. And I think the key point and getting them to recognize what they could be good at at an early age versus waiting until they're in high school. When they always already formulated in an ideal what they want to do or what they don't want to do. And primarily it's the latter. They don't want to do it. Um, they may not want to go to college, but they just still don't know where they want to do. So we try to give them options. And these options are, are only mainly focused to low income, um, students that are, that are in a, um, uh, economic poverty in terms of just don't have the resources, um, to go to a school. But we want to provide them with some training skills that will help them identify a trade. That may be something that they will come, become passionate and doing, and then turn out to be a career, a lifetime career, will they be able to sustain themselves and their families for, um, for a long time? And so we start at middle school age, um, because again, I think that is the, that's the beginning of, uh, really developing their minds and giving them direction versus going, starting at high school age.
Speaker 1:What sounds exciting? Sounds like a really good stuff you got going on there. Um, you mentioned carpentry and I, I believe you've presented the program to the carpenter's union. Did they have any feedback for you? Any suggestions or,
Speaker 2:yes, I'm, I'm working hand in hand with them. Um, I was able to help them, um, recruit a young lady into their program, um, and she just graduated from their program. So what we're trying to do is kind of work together and, and working at, looking at our curriculum and their curriculum and, and combining some things together. And hopefully we will be able to, um, collaborate on our efforts in terms of getting more, um, students, whether it be diversified or just students into the program, because there's a lack and there's a shortage, uh, not just in this area, but across the United States and tradesmen. And so we want to identify those early so that we can start putting them in the, in the places that, that fits them the best.
Speaker 3:Patricia, you mentioned grabbing the students at an early age. Can you talk a little bit about, you know, like, are there, are there mentor opportunities to help, um, you know, the students at that age, I have a middle school daughter, and I'm just trying to think of how, you know, to help her get to the point of knowing what, or at least down the path of what she wants to do. Um, and then the other side of that too, is, is, you know, are
Speaker 1:parents involved like help, help, help our listeners understand what, what kind of helps to, to bring that middle school age student along?
Speaker 2:One of the things that we offer in our program is a mentoring program. So we just don't, um, train them, teach them the trade, but we also use that opportunity to walk hand in hand with them and try to develop not only their professional skillset, but their personal. So we identify areas like low self esteem. We also talk about entrepreneurship. We talk about, um, communication skills. A lot of the kids that are going into the workforce don't have, um, good communication skills or also they don't have good word work ethics. So we talked, we talked to them about how to really dive into a career choice, but not just a profession, but you also need those soft skills to help you continue to grow. And so we have mentors that are going to be, um, side by side with these students to help them with financial literacy, because you really need to know how to manage and budget in the trades. Um, primarily because they're going to be times where you may not be working. Um, this is the season where a lot of carpenters or plumbers, or, you know, if they, they may not have a job to go to. So we want to make sure that in the good season that they're putting away, they're saving for those months where they may not have a steady income. So we're, we're wanting to show them how to budget, how to manage their finances. That's so important. And those are the skills that are not getting, they're not getting in middle school and they're barely getting them in high school.
Speaker 1:Excellent. Those life skills are needed throughout, throughout every industry. So that's awesome. Um, you mentioned, uh, middle school and high school. Are there, are there certain school districts that you, um, partner with or work with or do they support you? There's certain schools help you out at all?
Speaker 2:We are currently, um, we'll be working with Stilton, Highspire and Harrisburg. Um, that is a small district and they actually have their middle school and their high school combined into one building. So we have been afforded the opportunities starting in January to do a pilot program around, um, evolve. We'll be going in there, um, three days a week for two hours, um, the last two, the last three periods of their day and talking to them and working with them and training them on the trades. And so it was it's, it's an elective for these students. So they are electing to choose this, this, um, program. And we right now have about 60 students that will be starting, um, in the new year, learning the trade. And no two trades that we're introducing to them in, in the beginning is electrical and carpentry. As we grow in the next two years, we're going to be adding on more of those traits because we have partnership with them for at least three years. We are trying to also, um, talk to the Hasper school district so that we can bring the trades back to their students. We have also been, uh, the opportunity to speak with, um, cyber school, which is a school for students that choose to do their work on a, um, on the computer. They want to talk to us about possibly coming in and teaching the trades to their cyber, the cyber school students. So they have the opportunity as well. So in the year 2020, we're looking to work at least with, um, two other entities that want us to come in and train their students on the traits.
Speaker 3:That sounds like 2020 is going to be a great year for evolve and all those students that's, that's amazing. That's awesome. Hey, one, one other question for you, what, you know, knowing our understanding that you're working with a younger students and, and even the high school age students, what are you, what is your typical student like when they come to you? Are they, what's the, what's the biggest skill that they, that you find that they need?
Speaker 2:Are you referring to the trades or just in general, just in general, in general, that will be communication. Um, they have, most of the kids are coming with, they don't know how to effect that they have a conversation. They don't know how to find them seven. They don't know how to handle their emotions. Right. Um, those are some, some key things that we have to work on us, especially the emotional part, um, get receiving instruction, receive receiving constructive criticism, those types of things, and then just their attention span because they are now, we're in a computer, um, day and age where kids are focused on the computer. It doesn't talk back to them unless they require it to talk back. So they don't have to have a conversation. So we need to start, um, training our kids on how to, um, detach themselves from their cell phones, from technology, and really communicate one-on-one and build relationships so that they can be successful in whatever field or choice of, um, career they go into.
Speaker 3:Right. And it's funny cause I have, I have, I have daughters that are in the age group that you're, that you're focusing on and, and I tell them all the time, if you, if you, if you can't have a conversation with me, you're not gonna make it too much too far. Um, and that ability to, to communicate. So I'm really glad to hear that you're focusing on that as the first step, um, before they, before you even teach them the, you know, the carpentry skills or the electrical skills, because that relationship, like you said, is so important to their individual growth. So fantastic to you, hats off to you for that.
Speaker 2:Yeah. I really think that's important. And it's the key to, if you can be confident in yourself and, and the other pieces is if the self image, cause a lot of our kids really don't know who they are and can't identify themselves with, with, um, with what they're, what they should be doing, because they're confused. They don't know what direction to go in and off times, um, some kids are thrown out and saying, you need to do X, Y, and Z, and they're not given the right tools to be able to do it. So you're not giving them the tools, how you expect them to be successful, avid added if they was never introduced to it. So I think that's where we're expecting them to be adults, um, after they turn 18 and that's not the case, so we're doing them a disservice by not giving those, those skillset. And, um, and just thinking that they're learning it at home and that's not always the case.
Speaker 3:That is, that is so true. That is so true. Um, one other question I have for you, and as far as that communication skill, are you seeing that the, the, that your students are getting into the, the building trades and are actually seeing that, um, element of communications being applied in any way, shape or form?
Speaker 2:Yes. Yes. I had a, I had the opportunity to speak with a, uh, one of the representatives from accompany, a huge company in Harrisburg. Um, I'm going to place a plug for, or, um, HB Macor. They were doing it at an expo, uh, both here in Harrisburg and some of my students was a part of that, um, career day. And they were so surprised at the knowledge. Um, some of the young ladies came to their booth and we're talking about plumbing and putting things together. And they were so articulate in terms of what, where they got the full set from and how did they learn it? And so I HB McClure reached out to me and said they were just amazed at my students wanting to know more about the program. So just, just being able to go into a atmosphere where they are, what's unknown to them, but let's pick something that's familiar to them and be able to articulate what they learned was a huge, huge, um, plus for those students because they have evolved. And I really, um, was happy to hear that they were able to, um, articulate
Speaker 3:again, congratulations to you and the whole evolve team, because that's, that's a big element. Um, and, and to see it actually, and places is big. So congratulations for that.
Speaker 1:You're obviously only one person. So, you know, said you can't teach everyone how are their instructors on your team? And is that a challenge? Do you need more help from the industry?
Speaker 2:Yes. Um, it is a challenge and yes, I need more help on the, um, um, on the team I am right now. Um, I can't say I'm a one woman van. Um, but cause I do have some, some, uh, support system. Now we have about six tradesmen that, that are, that are currently, um, they're working right now on a volunteer basis. Um, starting in January, January, they'll be getting a stipend for working within the school district with me, along with me, I'll be teaching the soft skills and they'll be teaching the trades. Um, I will also be helping with it with the trades because, um, I've been doing it for a year now and I've learned a lot, um, that I didn't think I would be interested in, but I'm truly loving carpentry. I'm really loving working with wood. So, um, so yes, we do still need, um, tradesmen, because again, we are going into different areas where I'm asked to, um, to help support other students in different areas. So I want to be able to build a team of tradesmen that will be able to, um, accommodate our, our growth. And so yes, I do need tradesmen and, um, I'm getting tired, so I'm feeling strict, but I, the I'm enjoying it because I'm seeing it making a diff a difference. And I know that it's going to make a difference and I want to change, um, the story, the narrative that trades is at the bottom of the barrel in terms of career choices. It is not, it is, it's a thriving industry and not only that, it's a skill set that will never go away. You will always be able to use it. And you will always be employed whether you self employed or you go work with someone. So it is definitely, um, something that we want to start talking to our kids more about in the schools and less about nothing wrong with a four year college degree, but everybody is not cut out for that. And everybody is not interested in that. And not only that the trades provides you with debt-free, if you choose to,
Speaker 1:well, it sounds like, uh, you have an awesome thing. I've I've yet to come to one of your sessions or meet some students. And that's one of my 2020 goals to do that, to get more involved and help you out as needed. But, but for others that are listening, um, if they feel inclined to help out or get in touch or to learn more about the program, is there a, some good contact information we could share?
Speaker 2:Oh yeah. Yes. They can contact me on my website, which is evolve training. And Ann Ann is a and D and development.com. They also can reach out, reach out me on Facebook, which is, um, another it's on them. It's under evolve, training and development, or my personal link, which has Patricia Robinson. I, my email address is Trish Robinson ten@gmail.com. That's Trish, T R I S H Robinson ten@gmail.com. And also my, um, they can reach me at the office, which is(717) 608-2315.
Speaker 1:Awesome. And we'll make sure to get that information out as well as we promote this podcast. And you can tell you've done that before. You've got that down. Pretty good.
Speaker 2:I've been quite frequently lately. So yes, I've got it down to a two a pack. I mean, to, uh, you know, I can talk about it as much as I can and get it out as much as I can, but be able to, um, effectively do it is important. So, um, so thank you for this opportunity and allow me on to share about, um, the tres program and what evolve is doing and how we are evolving in the community. I think it's so important to have the opportunity. And so I appreciate you having me on today.
Speaker 3:I'm glad we could do it. And maybe we could check back every, every few months and maybe talk to you and a student and then get their feedback.
Speaker 2:That'd be great. That'd be awesome. Yes, that would be great. That would be great.
Speaker 3:Well, Patricia, thank you for your time today. It has been very, very helpful and very insightful. And as your company evolves, no pun intended, uh, I'm sure they'll, uh, keep growing and doing all the things that you're, uh, you're helping with, uh, young, young people learn our industry. So
Speaker 2:you're welcome. Thank you. Thank you. Keep up the great work. Thank you, Chris. And same to you, John.