The Trade Up Podcast

Nov 14 2024 14 ep. 24 mins
The Trade Up Podcast artwork

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. 

  Business  Education
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The Rise of the Trades: Are Corporate Jobs Losing Their Appeal?

Nov 14 2024 13 mins  
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 more and more young adults want to take up a skilled trade instead of taking a corporate job. And why private equity firms are gobbling up companies that sp

Stand-Up & Circuit Breakers: A Chat with Jim McNally

Oct 28 2024 25 mins  
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 in comedy. Expect humour, stories from the stage (and the job site), and a peek behind the curtain at Jim’s unique double life.For more i

John & Lisa Talk News

Oct 03 2024 13 mins  
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 why people change their minds about pursuing these careers. They also cover the key personality traits that make young people successful employees. Additiona

John & Lisa Talk News

Sep 16 2024 25 mins  
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 also reflects on his previous conversation with Campbell MacArthur about his unique experience in the trades industry.For more information about the Trade

From the Trades to Owning a Business

Aug 28 2024 19 mins  
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 Colours at https://www.camscolours.ca/.For more information about the Trade Up: Why buy a job when you can start a career? book, please visit: https:/

John & Lisa Talk News

Jul 15 2024 18 mins  
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 account for apprentices that's being offered by one of the big Canadian banks.For more information about the Trade Up: Why buy a job when you can

A Move to the Trades & Working with Family

Jun 21 2024 22 mins  
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 career paths. He'll explain why he has decided that a skilled trade is now the right move for him and for his family.For more information about the Trade Up:

John & Lisa Talk News

Jun 07 2024 23 mins  
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 Ontario high schools this fall.For more information about the Trade Up: Why buy a job when you can start a career? book, please visit: https://

Working to Breakdown Barriers for Women in the Trades

May 17 2024 28 mins  
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 - Brandi knows the barriers women still face on the job. Now, she works with companies to help improve things for women AND men in skilled trades. Brandi

Lisa & John Talk News

May 03 2024 28 mins  
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 is and isn’t worth going to college for a trade.John also weighs in on how far new federal money will go that's been earmarked to prop up skilled