Accidental Apprentice - Odd Jobs Explored

We are back with a special episode. This is not only the last episode for 2018, it is the first Episode in a series on workplace Diversity, Inclusion & Equity. I have gathered a group of special guests who have unique and special expertise and perspectives related to the world of workplace diversity & inclusion. We come out of the gate very fast on the first episode with Annemarie Shrouder. Annemarie Shrouder is an international speaker, corporate trainer, and consultant on issues of Diversity and Inclusion. She is committed to fairness and belonging. These commitments mean that she believes in playing fair in the sandbox, and that everyone should have a place at the table – not just a seat, a place, which implies that we are valuable and valued. She is passionate about challenging people to see more, and assisting in the creation of organizational cultures where people can learn, be all of who they are, connect and thrive. Annemarie works with diversity broadly, and specializes in LGBTQ positive spaces and racial equity. You can visit Annemarie's website at www.annemarieshrouder.com Follow the link for Annemarie's learning more about the ABCs of Inclusion program: http://eepurl.com/c85TBP Do not forget to sign up for the Inclusion Insight weekly http://eepurl.com/dM0jCs

On Episode 15 I am Joined by Canada Research Chair in Regional Innovation/Author/Professor/Speaker/Canadian Historian and just an outstanding Human Being, Ken Coates. Ken was raised in Whitehorse, Yukon, and has long-standing professional and personal interests in Aboriginal rights, northern development, northern Canadian history, science, technology and society, and Japan Studies. I cannot express how amazing it was to have Ken on the show, it truly was a dynamic conversation taking you deeper into one of the authors of "Dream Factories" and conversations around the skilled trades and the future of work. I stand by "Dream Factories" as a must read by those thinking about what to do after Highschool and for the educators, parents and influencers who weigh in on these decisions, hopefully this podcast will get you to pick up this Book by Ken and also take a look at some of his other books, like "What to consider if you're considering University: New Rules for Education and Employment" & "Campus Confidental:100 Startling Things you need to know about Canadian Universities" find out more about Ken at www.kencoates.ca

Strap in and enjoy the ride in this conversation with Glen Reyes. Glen is a Career Coach & Mentor who holds a Bsc. with a Double Major Kinesiology and Psychology. Listen to how he developed presentations and motivation through his Leadership in Hip-Hop work across Ontario after Graduating from University. Additionally we delve into all kinds of great topics around Post Secondary education, skills development & what the actual skills for tomorrow's working world look like. Check out Glen over at www.glenreyes.com for what he is up to and where you can find him. Find him on both Instagram & Twitter - @h4glen Show note Links RBC Future Skills Report http://www.rbc.com/newsroom/_assets-custom/pdf/03-2018-rbc-future-skills-report.pdf Daniel Kahneman Ted Talk https://www.ted.com/talks/daniel_kahneman_the_riddle_of_experience_vs_memory

In episode 13 I sit down with General Manager & Co-Founder of WRKS Michael Ehling. WRKS is a Hiring Network that is revolutionizing how employers and job applicants connect and build stronger connections resulting in better opportunities and greater success stories ultimately helping to create meaningful careers. We discuss where the idea and need for this system came from, how WRKS is changing the game and dig into what was wrong with the system we have used for the past 50 years. The process of hiring has changed dramatically over the past decade and in our conversation we outline those changes and why it isn't working the way it used to. Michael shares how WRKS is allowing both employers and applicants to quickly adapt to the modern landscape of employment matching while ditching the old clichés and trends that have been held on to for much too long. Head over to www.wrkspro.com to see what they are up to and check them out on both Instagram and twitter @wrkspro.

We are joined by Skills Ontario Program Manager and all around awesome guy Scott Verhoeve. Scott serves as a critical backbone across our Province for building networks and opportunities for people interested in Skilled Trade Pathways and for those advocating and building awareness and opportunity for those pathways. Have a listen to his own pathway which provides an excellent perspective on the view of todays' career pathways and exploration process.

In this episode I was able to sit down with the creator and innovator behind the research initiative JobTalks, Jon Callegher. Additionally to the work with the YouTube series JobTalks, Jon authored the report Trading Up - Why the future of Education in Canada must be Skilled I have linked both the report and YouTube series below. This podcast is jammed with conversation around being happy with work, making efforts to unpack the stigma around skilled trades and how efforts have been successful and not so successful along with the reasons of possibly why. Jon is an extremely motivated and committed person to helping others and his focus on broadening the public perspective to the skilled trades is something like I have not seen before. JobTalks report https://www.jobtalks.org/report JobTalks YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsIWDqEMDKOYm4BO30Edq6g

It is my absolute pleasure to bring you this episode of Accidental Apprentice Podcast with the current Director of Program Services at the Yonge Street Mission Paul Lim. Paul's journey started in the United States where he became a Mechanical Engineer in the Petroleum Industry. Listen to how Paul took pause and did something so many talk about but never do, he took the steps and transformed his life and that of his families' to do something of purpose and fulfillment, ultimately putting others before himself. Paul never ceased to impress me with his class and character coupled with his commitment to living up to the challenge set by the YSM to end chronic poverty in a generation. Have a listen to what a journey looks like of selflessness, sacrifice and some solid supports from those who maybe doubt you at first.

On the latest episode I sit down with Jennifer Green. Aside from being a Red Seal Industrial Millwright and Current Maintenance Planner/Scheduler for the Upper Grand District School Board. Jennifer is a much sought after Keynote Speaker and Advocate for Skilled Trades, Inclusion and Diversity. With all that she gives from her career, advocacy and speaking she still finds time to serve as a mentor for young women pursuing skilled trades and apprenticeship. We dig into what makes Jenn tick, her path and why she puts so much of herself out there. Also we touch on the value of mentors to her and why they play such a huge role to her today.

As I wrap up my series at Skills Ontario 2018 Provincial Competition I am bringing you a special double header episode. First is Plumber and Plumbing Instructor Tim Wilkinson. Tim really breaks down the idea of you get what you pay for when hiring and considering hiring a plumber. On the second half of the episode we get to sit with Skills Ontario Alumni Association Board Member Dalton Bird. Dalton shares his journey through his Skills Competitions both Provincially and Nationally and what the Alumni Association is up to. I hope these longer episodes are more your flavour as I move forward in the podcast I will be spending more time deconstructing my guests on a larger scope to bring you more about how they got where they are, the challenges they have faced and what they hope for the future.

Finally I was able to coordinate a chance to sit down with Ironworker, Boilermaker and KickAss Careers Founder Jamie McMillan. I have had the pleasure of knowing Jamie for sometime and have seen first hand her dedication and passion as an advocate and mentor for students and youth exploring the skilled trades. We only had a short time on this day and were able to cover so much. We talked KickAss Careers, the newly unveiled MITC contest and why she puts so much of herself into every KickAss Careers event she does. We will be catching up with Jamie again in the future but with her impact continuing to explode across North America I am fortunate I was able to catch her when I could!