The Trade Up Podcast
The Trade Up Podcast is your guide to understanding, navigating, and excelling in the world of a career in the trades.
Join John Finan and Lisa Brandt, co-authors of TRADE UP, as they delve into why the trades stand out as a compelling career choice for the younger generation. Uncover the various pathways leading to a successful entry into the trades and gain insights on how to thrive in this field. Tune in to hear firsthand experiences from individuals thriving in the industry.
Episodes
16 episodes
Work-Life Balance & Building Careers
On this episode of Trade Up, Lisa Brandt and John Finan discuss what today’s young people entering the trades are looking for—work-life balance, caring leadership, and clear career advancement opportunities. John also dives into Helmets to Hard...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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12:50
Wired for Success: Bella Cantin’s Journey in the Trades
On this episode of The Trade Up Podcast, John Finan sits down with Bella Cantin, a network cabling apprentice who shares her inspiring journey into the skilled trades. Bella discusses finding her niche after exploring carpentry, her lo...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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23:43
The Rise of the Trades: Are Corporate Jobs Losing Their Appeal?
On this episode, John Finan offers his take on something Mike Holmes recently said. Mike believes that taking trade classes out of schools was "the worst decision in education." We'll find out whether John agrees. Polling shows mor...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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13:32
Stand-Up & Circuit Breakers: A Chat with Jim McNally
On this episode, John sits down with comedian and electrician Jim McNally. Known for lighting up rooms both with laughs and literal lights, Jim shares the journey from following in his father’s footsteps as an electrician to building a career i...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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25:12
John & Lisa Talk News
On this episode of the Trade Up Podcast, John & Lisa discuss several pressing issues in the world of skilled trades and education, including a recent article from Maclean's Magazine that explores salaries in the trades and...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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13:14
John & Lisa Talk News
On this episode, John offers his take on a number of stories making the news, including the new awards for apprentices and mentors, and a reduction of foreign temporary workers announced, but not in the construction sector. John al...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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25:45
From the Trades to Owning a Business
On this episode of The Trade Up Podcast, John Finan talks to Campbell MacArthur about his unique experience in the trades industry and his path to owning his own business, Cam's Colours Painting & Finishing.Learn more about Cam's Co...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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19:10
John & Lisa Talk News
On this episode, John shares his thoughts on some freebie experiences for high school students that are looking for a path in the trades & why the "golden rule" shouldn't be followed. Lisa & John also talk about a new no-fee bank accoun...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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18:51
A Move to the Trades & Working with Family
On this episode of The Trade Up Podcast, John Finan talks to one of his newest employees at Finan Home Service - his son, Blake! Instead of following his Dad into the family business, Blake spent a few years on very different caree...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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22:54
John & Lisa Talk News
John and Lisa discuss reasons why service calls are more expensive. They take a Mars-and-Venus look at empathy in the workplace. And John weighs in on some government decisions regarding skilled trades, including the FAST program, coming to Ont...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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23:47
Working to Breakdown Barriers for Women in the Trades
On this episode of The Trade Up Podcast, John is joined by Brandi Ferenc, a 313A - Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic and founder of Fair Trades Toolbox. As a woman journeyperson in a male dominated sector - HVAC -...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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28:56
Lisa & John Talk News
On this episode of The Trade Up Podcast, Lisa Brandt gets John Finan's thoughts about pre-apprenticeships and the best way to get into a trade if you can't secure an apprenticeship. Also, the barriers to getting experience, and when it i...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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28:14
Exploring Better Ways of Preparing a Skilled Workforce
George Vassallo is the CEO of one of Canada's oldest construction firms - Bothwell-Accurate. He wondered if other countries had better ways of preparing a skilled workforce, so he went on a multi-country tour to find out. He shares...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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29:12
Lisa & John Talk News
On this episode of The Trade Up Podcast, Lisa Brandt gets John Finan's thoughts on why there are more sign-ups for trades than in the past ten years, but certification numbers are low. Also, should we worry that Alberta is trying to poach...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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30:20
A Career Transition into the Trades
On this episode of The Trade Up Podcast, John chats with Whitney South about her unique career transition from journalism & photography into welding.
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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24:11
Exploring the Pathway to a Career in the Trades
On this episode of The Trade Up Podcast, John & Lisa chat about how they were inspired to write a book about how young people can find a pathway to a career in the trades.About TRADE UP: Why buy a job when you can start a career?...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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34:03