Tradeswork is the official podcast of the Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association, and airs on the 1st and 15th of each month. We highlight the good work of mechanical, plumbing, and HVAC/R contractors across Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, and South Dakota, share our recent research and studies, and unpack advocacy issues important to our members. We also discuss in depth the career path, earning potential and continuing education requirements of skilled trade jobs. You can learn more about us at: https://rmmca.org/
Episodes
Friday Jul 15, 2022
New Energy Codes and their Impact on Housing Costs featuring Evelyn Lim
Friday Jul 15, 2022
Friday Jul 15, 2022
On this episode of Tradeswork: The Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association Podcast, we welcome Evelyn Lim, Common Sense Institute's 2022 Mike A. Leprino Fellow & 2021 Terry J. Stevinson Fellow. Evelyn is the Director of Policy and Research at the American Cornerstone Institute. She was most recently the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Regional Administrator for Region 8 which covers Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Earlier this year she authored a paper titled "The Uncertain Future Cost of Colorado’s Energy Infrastructure and Housing Affordability." Here are some of the questions you can expect to be answered on the show:
- How has the growth of Colorado's population impacted the housing market?
- How many new housing units need to be built to accommodate demand?
- What are the new energy codes builders need to consider as they build new units?
- How might those codes affect price?
- What are the costs associated with moving toward universal electrification?
This episode is available on podcatchers everywhere. Please rate, review and subscribe.
To read the entire report referenced in this episode, you can find it here.
For more information about Common Sense Institute, please visit their website.
For more information about Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association, please visit our website.
Friday Jul 01, 2022
Friday Jul 01, 2022
On this episode of Tradeswork: The Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association Podcast, we welcome Bernardo Villaruel, a 4th year apprentice who is a member of UA Local 208 and works for American Mechanical Services (AMS), whose mission is to provide quality workmanship for a fair price. Their intent is to honor all of their commitments and to strive for 100% customer satisfaction. AMS is a privately owned family of companies providing primarily commercial heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) service and construction work in various locations across the country. Here are some of the questions you can expect to be answered on the show:
- What is it like at the start of an apprenticeship?
- What was the toughest part of his apprenticeship? (Hint: It was COVID-related)
- What led him to a career in HVAC?
- What is Bernardo's favorite thing about working in this trade?
- What are "controls" and what kind of work did Bernardo do on them?
- What is Bernardo's next goal upon graduating?
This episode is available on podcatchers everywhere. Please rate, review and subscribe.
For more information about American Mechanical Services, please visit their website.
For more information about UA Local 208, please visit their website.
For more information about Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association, please visit our website.
Wednesday Jun 15, 2022
Breaking Down the 2022 Legislative Session with Kelly Maher and James Mejia
Wednesday Jun 15, 2022
Wednesday Jun 15, 2022
On this episode of Tradeswork: The Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association Podcast, we welcome political commentators and analysts Kelly Maher and James Mejia. They discuss their biggest takeaways from the recently adjourned Colorado legislative session including the largest budget ever passed, how actions during this session will impact the skilled trades, achievements for social outcomes, and a lot more. The two also discuss which legislators they think will be missed the most and do some light predicting of the November elections and beyond. It's fascinating insight from two experienced political analysts.
Kelly Maher is a Republican political analyst at 9News in Denver. She is a veteran of politics, public policy, and the media. On the national stage, Kelly has appeared on Fox News, The Daily Show and CNN. She is a speaker, writer, and aspiring urban farmer. You can find her at her Substack column Real Best Life.
James Mejia is a longtime Denver fixture and Democratic political expert also at 9News in Denver. He is a former front page writer for La Voz Colorado and a contributor of The Huffington Post. James was a cabinet member for Denver Mayor Wellington Webb and managed the building of 1 million square feet for the justice center during the administration of Mayor John Hickenlooper.
This episode is available on podcatchers everywhere. Please rate, review and subscribe.
For more information about Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association, please visit our website.
Wednesday Jun 01, 2022
Let’s Check In with our Board President Brodie Arndt
Wednesday Jun 01, 2022
Wednesday Jun 01, 2022
On this episode of Tradeswork: The Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association Podcast, we welcome Brodie Arndt, Board President for Rocky Mountain MCA and Vice President of Colorado Manufacturing and Logistics for Murphy Company. Since 1907, Murphy has set the standard for mechanical and industrial construction, and engineering, providing clients throughout the United States with high quality, timely execution, excellent value and fair price. Here are some of the questions you can expect to be answered on the show:
- What is it about Murphy Company that has caused Brodie to stay for 13 years?
- What was his path through Murphy Company leading to where he is today?
- Why did Brodie choose to serve on the Rocky Mountain MCA Board and now serve as its President?
- What is fabrication? How does the process work?
- What is "quick response?"
- What was Brodie's favorite/most rewarding project at Murphy Company?
- What is Brodie's advice for people considering getting into the trades?
This episode is available on podcatchers everywhere. Please rate, review and subscribe.
For more information about Murphy Company, please visit their website.
For more information about Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association, please visit our website.
Sunday May 15, 2022
How Is Life as an Electrical Apprentice? featuring Brittney Alvarado
Sunday May 15, 2022
Sunday May 15, 2022
On this episode of Tradeswork: The Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association Podcast, we welcome Brittney Alvarado, an electrical apprentice with IBEW Local Union 68. For more than 120 years, Journeyman and Apprentice Electricians of IBEW Local 68 have helped the counties of Adams, Arapahoe , Boulder, Broomfield , Clear Creek, Denver, Douglas, Eagle, Gilpin, Jefferson, Lake, Larimer, Logan, Morgan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington, Grand, Jackson, Weld and Yuma as well as their surrounding areas, grow and prosper. They have provided superior and safe electrical construction and maintenance work that has allowed this region’s residences, communities, and businesses to thrive and continue to maintain their vision for the future. Here are some of the questions you can expect to be answered on the show:
- What led to Brittney choosing electrical apprenticeship over the other trades?
- What does she like best about her apprenticeship? What would she change if she could?
- Does she plan to focus more on commercial work, or on residential work?
- What are the misconceptions from people about electrical work?
- What would she tell young women considering a career in the trades?
- What impact does her work ultimately have on the community? What would she like it to?
This episode is available on podcatchers everywhere. Please rate, review and subscribe.
For more information about IBEW Local Union 68, please visit their website.
For more information about Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association, please visit our website.
Sunday May 01, 2022
Sunday May 01, 2022
On this episode of Tradeswork: The Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association Podcast, we welcome Sue Russell (right), Colorado Service Sales Manager at Tolin Mechanical Systems, and Crystal Ackerman (left), Service Sales Representative also at Tolin Mechanical Systems. Tolin Mechanical specializes in energy efficient HVAC Solutions for clients throughout the Southwest, including Colorado and Arizona, and into Washington D.C. Their skilled technicians keep facilities running at peak performance to lower energy costs and keep life comfortable. Here are some of the questions you can expect to be answered on this show:
- What does a day in the life of a sales representative look like?
- What led both Sue and Crystal into their roles working for a trades-based company like Tolin?
- What are the biggest misconceptions people have about HVAC representatives?
- What are the coolest projects they have ever worked on?
- What technological advances are happening in the industry?
- What would they want people to know about the diversity of work available in the trades?
This episode is available on podcatchers everywhere. Please rate, review and subscribe.
For more information about Tolin Mechanical, please visit their website.
For more information about Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association, please visit our website.
Friday Apr 15, 2022
What Is the Path for a 5th Year HVAC Apprentice? featuring Jake Schainost
Friday Apr 15, 2022
Friday Apr 15, 2022
On this episode of Tradeswork: The Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association Podcast, we welcome Jake Schainost, a 5th year apprentice who works for American Mechanical Services (AMS), whose mission is to provide quality workmanship for a fair price. Their intent is to honor all of their commitments and to strive for 100% customer satisfaction. AMS is a privately owned family of companies providing primarily commercial heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) service and construction work in various locations across the country. Here are some of the questions you can expect to be answered on the show:
- How did Jake find his way to the trades, and why wasn't he interested in ultimately pursuing traditional college?
- What is the best part of the apprenticeship in his opinion?
- What is something he'd change about the apprenticeship?
- What would Jake tell young people about pursuing a career in the trades?
- What should a first year apprentice expect when he or she gets started?
- What is his #1 tip for first year apprentices when they're on job sites?
- What types of equipment does Jake work on?
- How does climate control make modern life possible?
This episode is available on podcatchers everywhere. Please rate, review and subscribe.
For more information about American Mechanical Services, please visit their website.
For more information about Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association, please visit our website.
Friday Apr 01, 2022
What’s Life Like as a 4th Year Apprentice? featuring Travis James
Friday Apr 01, 2022
Friday Apr 01, 2022
On this episode of Tradeswork: The Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association Podcast, we welcome Travis James, a 4th year apprentice at UA Local 192 in Cheyenne, WY. Travis, interviewed from the hospital shortly after the birth of his second child, shares with us his journey from traveling rockstar (seriously!) to plumbing apprentice. Here are some of the questions you can expect to be answered on this show:
- Why did Travis choose plumbing over pipefitting, and how similar were the two?
- How does an apprentice get assigned work?
- How important is an apprentice's reputation in earning work? What types of things contribute to reputation?
- Why do the attendees of Western States College of Construction have an advantage in work?
- What ultimately led Travis to leave his career as a musician and pursue one in the trades?
- What are the challenges of working and taking classes simultaneously?
This episode is available on podcatchers everywhere. Please rate, review and subscribe.
For more information about UA Local 192, please visit their website.
For more information about Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association, please visit our website.
Tuesday Mar 15, 2022
What’s the Path for a 3rd Year Plumbing Apprentice? featuring Moise Kombo
Tuesday Mar 15, 2022
Tuesday Mar 15, 2022
On this episode of Tradeswork: The Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association Podcast, we welcome Moise Kombo a 3rd year apprentice at Plumbers Local Union 3. Plumbers Local #3 has a company to fit your needs. Whether it is an old garbage disposal to be replaced or a new state-of-the-art hospital being built, we are the companies of choice. All of Local 3's companies are registered with the state of Colorado which ensures that they are compliant with state and federal laws.
Here are some of the questions you can expect to be answered on this show:
- Why did Moise join the trades at such a young age?
- What makes apprenticeship unique?
- How does Moise feel about Plumbers Local Union 3? What sets it apart?
- What it Moise most looking forward to about turning out?
- What are his favorite and least favorite classes as part of the program?
- What was Moise's most exciting project?
- What would Moise tell someone considering pursuing the trades?
Moise also discusses his upbringing as a refugee and tells us about his next steps.
For more information about Plumbers Local Union 3, please visit their website.
For more information about Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association, please visit our website.
Tuesday Mar 01, 2022
How Do You Become a Project Manager in Plumbing? featuring Nate Nicodemus
Tuesday Mar 01, 2022
Tuesday Mar 01, 2022
On this episode of Tradeswork: The Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association Podcast, we welcome Nate Nicodemus, Project Manager at Falcon Plumbing Heating and Mechanical in Grand Junction. Nate has worked for Falcon Plumbing Heating and Mechanical for 22 years and has a remarkable breadth of experience that spans his career.
Here are some of the questions you can expect to be answered on this show:
- What was Nate's career path to becoming a project manager?
- What are the key differences between working as a foreman and as a project manager?
- How often does he visit each job site and what is he looking for when he visits?
- What have been the impacts of supply chain challenges on his projects?
- What is the Joint Apprenticeship Training Center (JATC), and how does it help young professionals?
- What do plumbers work on that average people have little understanding of?
For more information about Falcon Plumbing Heating and Mechanical, please visit their website.
For more information about Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association, please visit our website.