Careers in manufacturing and skilled trades jobs are booming. Roger Atkins (NTMA) joins Andrew Brown to discuss manufacturing apprenticeship programs, reshoring manufacturing USA, and high paying trade careers.

Host Andrew Brown sits down with Roger Atkins, President of the National Tooling & Machining Association (NTMA), to explore how today’s skilled trades jobs are shaping the future of the trades industry. From the growth of manufacturing apprenticeship programs to the nationwide push for reshoring manufacturing USA, they cover how to build high paying trade careers that rival college pathways.

Whether you’re just starting out, considering a career change, or advising young people, this episode provides real insights into the future of the skilled trades.

● (00:00) – Careers in Manufacturing Today: Why trades careers matter more than ever.

● (04:32) – Skilled Trades Jobs vs. Service Jobs: The hidden financial difference.

● (12:15) – Manufacturing Apprenticeship Programs: Earn while you learn pathways into trades.

● (22:40) – Reshoring Manufacturing USA: Why supply chains are shifting back home.

● (33:10) – High Paying Trade Careers: From $18/hr apprenticeships to six-figure tradespeople.

● (44:55) – The Future of the Trades Industry: AI, technology, and advocacy reshaping the landscape.

● Careers in manufacturing offer advancement and stability far beyond entry-level jobs.

● Skilled trades jobs like carpentry, HVAC, electricians, plumbers, and millwrights provide lifelong pathways.

● Manufacturing apprenticeship programs allow people to train debt-free while earning a wage.

● Reshoring manufacturing USA is driving demand for high paying trade careers across small and medium businesses.

Roger Atkins is the President of the National Tooling & Machining Association (NTMA). With decades in the trades industry, Roger has been a leading advocate for reshoring initiatives, building manufacturing apprenticeship programs, and expanding awareness of skilled trades jobs. His work with the Skilled Trades Advisory Council and industry experts focuses on creating high paying trade careers for future generations of tradespeople, contractors, and career changers.

Careers in Manufacturing, Skilled Trades Jobs, Manufacturing Apprenticeship Programs, Reshoring Manufacturing USA, High Paying Trade Careers, Skilled Trades, Trades Industry, Carpentry, HVAC, Electricians, Plumbers, Millwrights, Construction, Contractors, Industry Experts, Andrew Brown, Roger Atkins, National Tooling & Machining Association, NTMA, Toolfetch, Skilled Trades Advisory Council, Tradespeople, Craftsmanship, Problem-solving, Creativity, Advocacy, Education, Trades Careers

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roger-atkins/

Website: https://ntma.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.

From nursing to female mechanic, flipping cars for profit, and building Crown's Corner Mechanic.

Host Andrew Brown talks with Desiree Hill, known as She Mechanic, about her bold career change to trades—from healthcare to launching Crown’s Corner Mechanic. They explore how women are breaking into skilled trades careers, what it takes to succeed as a female mechanic, and the role of flipping cars for profit in building confidence and skills.

This inspiring conversation highlights the future of the trades industry, the importance of mentorship, and how social media is helping more people find their path in plumbing apprenticeships, carpentry, HVAC, electricians, plumbers, and construction craftsmanship.

IN THIS EPISODE:

● (00:00) – Introduction: Andrew Brown on skilled trades careers & industry advocacy

● (03:12) – Desiree’s path: Career change to trades from nursing into mechanics

● (08:25) – Flipping cars for profit: Building confidence & skills with hands-on learning

● (15:40) – Launching Crown’s Corner Mechanic: From driveway projects to a full shop

● (24:18) – Women in the trades industry: Female mechanic success stories & plumbing apprenticeships

● (36:55) – Lessons in entrepreneurship: Problem-solving, creativity & leadership in skilled trades careers

Key Takeaways:

● A career change to trades is possible at any age—Desiree Hill proves it with her journey from nursing to becoming a successful female mechanic.

● Flipping cars for profit can be a gateway to learning, entrepreneurship, and a long-term role in the skilled trades industry.

● Social media is breaking barriers by showcasing women in plumbing apprenticeships, carpentry, HVAC, electricians, and construction trades careers.

● Building a personal brand like She Mechanic inspires the next generation of skilled tradespeople and advocates for industry-wide change.

About the Guest:

Desiree Hill, also known as She Mechanic, is the founder of Crown’s Corner Mechanic. A former healthcare worker turned female mechanic, she built her career by flipping cars for profit and teaching herself mechanical skills. Now a respected advocate in the trades industry, she uses her platform to inspire women and the next generation of skilled trades careers through mentorship, education, and real-world problem-solving.

Keywords:

Skilled Trades Careers, Career Change to Trades, Female Mechanic, Flipping Cars for Profit, Plumbing Apprenticeship, Skilled Trades, Trades Industry, Trades Careers, Tradespeople, Advocacy, Education, Industry Experts, Contractors, Andrew Brown, Desiree Hill, She Mechanic, Crown's Corner Mechanic, Toolfetch, Skilled Trades Advisory Council, Carpentry, HVAC, Electricians, Plumbers, Millwrights, Construction, Craftsmanship, Problem-Solving, Creativity

Resource Links:

• TikTok: @SheMechanic
• Instagram: CrownsCorner_SheMechanic
• Website: Crown's Corner Mechanics

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.

Want a high-paying plumbing trade career? Daniel Quinonez joins Andrew Brown to share plumbing apprenticeship programs, PHCC Educational Foundation training, and plumbing job opportunities.

Host Andrew Brown talks with Daniel Quinonez, COO of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association and leader within the PHCC Educational Foundation, about building successful plumbing trade careers. They break down plumbing apprenticeship programs, the demand for high-paying skilled trades, and how to access the best plumbing job opportunities.

From career changers to young apprentices, Daniel shares insider tips on navigating the trades industry, breaking misconceptions about plumbers, and finding your place among tradespeople in plumbing, HVAC, carpentry, and beyond.

(00:00) – Introduction: Why the trades industry needs more plumbers and how plumbing trade careers are thriving.

(05:22) – Plumbing apprenticeship programs explained: pay, timelines, and earning while learning.

(12:47) – The PHCC Educational Foundation: training, scholarships, and advocacy for skilled trades.

(21:33) – The truth about high-paying skilled trades and entrepreneurship in plumbing, HVAC, and carpentry.

(33:15) – Career changers in the trades industry: from corporate jobs to plumbing job opportunities.

(45:50) – Why craftsmanship, problem-solving, and creativity define great trades careers.

● Plumbing trade careers can lead to six-figure incomes without college debt.

● Plumbing apprenticeship programs offer hands-on training, certification, and industry connections.

● The PHCC Educational Foundation empowers tradespeople with resources and scholarships.

● High-paying skilled trades like plumbing, HVAC, and electrical offer stability, growth, and recession-proof work.

Daniel Quinonez is the Chief Operating Officer of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association and a driving force behind the PHCC Educational Foundation. A veteran advocate for skilled trades education, Daniel works with contractors, industry experts, and the Skilled Trades Advisory Council to expand plumbing apprenticeship programs and create more plumbing job opportunities nationwide. His work spans multiple trades—including plumbing, HVAC, carpentry, and construction—while championing craftsmanship, problem-solving, and the future of the trades industry.

Plumbing Trade Careers, Plumbing Apprenticeship Programs, PHCC Educational Foundation, High-Paying Skilled Trades, Plumbing Job Opportunities, Skilled Trades, Trades Industry, Andrew Brown, Daniel Quinonez, Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association, Skilled Trades Advisory Council, Toolfetch, Carpentry, HVAC, Electricians, Plumbers, Millwrights, Construction, Tradespeople, Contractors, Industry Experts, Advocacy, Education, Craftsmanship, Problem-Solving, Creativity, Trades Careers

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-quinonez-690ba68/

Website: https://www.phccweb.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.