Skilled trades careers are in demand. Betsy Conway joins Andrew Brown to discuss Lowe’s Foundation grants, plumbing apprenticeship programs, SkillsUSA training, and the welding workforce shortage.

Host Andrew Brown sits down with Betsy Conway, Director of the Lowe’s Foundation, to explore how skilled trades careers are being shaped by Lowe’s Foundation grants, plumbing apprenticeship programs, and SkillsUSA training programs. They dive deep into how nonprofits, community colleges, and industry experts are tackling the welding workforce shortage, empowering new electricians, plumbers, carpenters, HVAC techs, and contractors.

Whether you’re just starting in the trades industry or looking to grow, this episode delivers insights into mentorship, craftsmanship, problem-solving, and trades careers advocacy that define the future of the skilled trades.

● (00:00) – Skilled Trades Careers Overview: Why the trades industry needs plumbers, electricians, carpenters, and HVAC pros now more than ever.

● (02:15) – Lowe’s Foundation Grants: Investing $50M to train 50,000 people for rewarding trades careers.

● (08:40) – Welding Workforce Shortage: Why the U.S. needs 320,000 welders by 2029 and how SkillsUSA training programs are stepping in.

● (15:10) – Plumbing Apprenticeship Programs: How mentorship, apprenticeships, and education change lives.

● (23:30) – Education & Access: Mobile training labs bringing opportunity to underserved communities.

● (35:55) – Tools of the Trade Advice: Betsy Conway’s no-limits mindset for aspiring tradespeople.

● Lowe’s Foundation grants are fueling innovation at community colleges and nonprofits, making skilled trades careers more accessible.

● The welding workforce shortage is real—hundreds of thousands of welders are needed, and SkillsUSA training programs are preparing the next generation

● Plumbing apprenticeship programs and mentorship create viable career paths for women, career changers, and young professionals.

● Success in the trades industry relies on craftsmanship, creativity, advocacy, and strong peer networks of tradespeople.

Betsy Conway is the Director of the Lowe’s Foundation, where she leads initiatives to tackle America’s skilled trades workforce crisis. Through strategic Lowe’s Foundation grants and partnerships with nonprofits, community colleges, and SkillsUSA training programs, she helps create accessible plumbing apprenticeship programs, addresses the welding workforce shortage, and champions opportunities for future electricians, carpenters, HVAC techs, contractors, and millwrights.

Skilled Trades Careers, Lowe’s Foundation Grants, Plumbing Apprenticeship Programs, Welding Workforce Shortage, SkillsUSA Training Programs, Skilled Trades, Trades Industry, Carpentry, HVAC, Electricians, Plumbers, Millwrights, Construction, Contractors, Tradespeople, Andrew Brown, Betsy Conway, Lowes Foundation, Toolfetch, Skilled Trades Advisory Council, Industry Experts, Advocacy, Craftsmanship, Problem-Solving, Creativity, Education, Mentorship, Trades Careers Growth

Linkedin Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsy-conway/

Lowe’s Foundation: https://lowesfoundation.org

Instagram: @LowesFoundation

If you’re getting value from these episodes and want to help keep the mics on, consider tipping the show here → https://andrewbrowntrades.kit.com/products/toolbox

Every dollar helps us keep bringing unfiltered insights from the trades, straight to your ears.

Women in welding, skilled trades careers, and welding education programs take center stage. Shanen Aranmor of Weld Like a Girl joins host Andrew Brown to explore virtual welding training, SkillsUSA welding, and how mentorship and early exposure shape the next generation of tradespeople.

Host Andrew Brown sits down with Shanen Aranmor, founder of Weld Like a Girl, to discuss breaking stigmas in the trades industry and opening doors to rewarding skilled trades careers. From welding education programs and virtual welding training to SkillsUSA welding competitions, Shannon shares actionable ways to inspire tradespeople—from second graders to Gen Z apprentices.

Whether you’re interested in carpentry, HVAC, electricians, plumbers, or millwrights, this episode reveals how craftsmanship, problem-solving, and creativity fuel career growth in the skilled trades.

• (00:00) – Why skilled trades careers matter and the stigma facing women in welding
• (04:35) – Encouragement, guidance counselors, and role models for women in welding
• (12:20) – Early exposure: shop classes, welding education programs, and community colleges
• (22:50) – Tech that sparks interest: virtual welding training, gamification, and simulators
• (35:30) – Homeschool competitions, mentorship, teamwork, and craftsmanship
• (52:15) – Inside SkillsUSA welding: sculpture judging, soft skills, and employer expectations

• Exposure changes everything. Kids can’t pursue skilled trades careers if they’ve never seen welding booths, tools, or shop classes.
• Representation is powerful. Role models show that women in welding belong in the trades industry.
• Tech builds bridges. Virtual welding training creates safe and scalable on-ramps for students and schools.
• Soft skills matter. SkillsUSA welding competitions reward teamwork, communication, and professionalism as much as technical skills.

Shanen Aranmor, founder of Weld Like a Girl, is a certified welding inspector, educator, and fabricator based in Yuma, AZ. She develops welding education programs for schools, veterans, and youth, advocates for women in welding, and champions pathways into skilled trades careers.

Women in Welding, Skilled Trades Careers, Welding Education Programs, Virtual Welding Training, SkillsUSA Welding, Shanen Aranmor, Weld Like a Girl, Andrew Brown, Michael Krupnicki, Skilled Trades, Trades Industry, Carpentry, HVAC, Electricians, Plumbers, Millwrights, Construction, Craftsmanship, Problem-Solving, Creativity, Tradespeople, Advocacy, Education, Skilled Trades Advisory Council, Industry Experts, Contractors, Toolfetch, SkillsUSA

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanenaranmor/

Website: https://weldlikeagirl.us/

If you’re getting value from these episodes and want to help keep the mics on, consider tipping the show here → https://andrewbrowntrades.kit.com/products/toolbox

Every dollar helps us keep bringing unfiltered insights from the trades, straight to your ears.

Autism skilled trades programs are transforming careers. Danny Combs joins Andrew Brown to discuss TACT, electrician training, and workforce development.

Host Andrew Brown speaks with Danny Combs, founder of Teaching the Autism Community Trades (TACT), about how autism skilled trades programs create real opportunities for employment for autistic adults in trades. They break down how electrician training for autistic individuals, carpentry, HVAC, and welding are reshaping the trades industry—and why neurodiversity workforce development is vital for the future of skilled trades.

This episode delivers practical insights for contractors, educators, and industry experts who want to strengthen advocacy, build inclusive programs, and prepare the next generation of tradespeople.

● (00:02) – The $2.2M cost families face and the gap in autism skilled trades programs.

● (07:15) – Danny Combs’ background, Nashville music career, and trades family roots.

● (15:40) – The start of Teaching the Autism Community Trades (TACT) and Temple Grandin’s advice.

● (26:10) – From a warehouse to a 19,000 sq ft facility with Subaru, Toyota, and more.

● (38:25) – Why employment for autistic adults in trades matters for the economy.

● (49:50) – Expansion, advocacy, and the future of neurodiversity workforce development.

● Autism skilled trades programs provide real career pathways beyond low-skill jobs.

● Employment for autistic adults in trades fills labor shortages in electricians, carpentry, plumbing, HVAC, and more.

● Teaching the Autism Community Trades (TACT) leads the way in neurodiversity workforce development.

● Electrician training for autistic individuals proves trades careers can be debt-free, high-paying, and fulfilling.

Danny Combs is the founder of Teaching the Autism Community Trades (TACT), a nonprofit equipping autistic youth and adults with skills in carpentry, HVAC, electrical, welding, and more. Drawing from his music background, trades family legacy, and fatherhood journey, Danny built TACT into a nationally recognized leader in autism skilled trades programs and neurodiversity workforce development, helping create meaningful careers and reshaping the skilled trades industry.

Autism Skilled Trades Programs, Employment for Autistic Adults in Trades, Teaching the Autism Community Trades (TACT), Neurodiversity Workforce Development, Electrician Training for Autistic Individuals, Skilled Trades, Trades Industry, Trades Careers, Contractors, Education, Advocacy, Industry Experts, Skilled Trades Advisory Council, Carpentry, HVAC, Electricians, Plumbers, Millwrights, Construction, Tradespeople, Craftsmanship, Problem-Solving, Creativity

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-combs-m-a-bccs-cas-90987613a/

Website: https://www.buildwithtact.org/

If you’re getting value from these episodes and want to help keep the mics on, consider tipping the show here → https://andrewbrowntrades.kit.com/products/toolbox

Every dollar helps us keep bringing unfiltered insights from the trades, straight to your ears.