Considering a new career? We are starting a new series of talks about entering the skilled trades. Our goal is to get people ready to jump into career development quickly once training opportunities re-open.

Trades professionals are in high demand by local businesses and residents and skilled trades provide above average wages. They are critical for diversifying our county’s economy for a resilient and sustainable future.

We are speaking with people working in trades, in trades education, or related jobs, about what it’s like to work in their field, how to get training, and other key things know about entering a career in trades. We have asked presenters to address these questions and to illustrate their craft with a virtual tour of a workplace, a walk-through of some representative task or problem, or an introduction to a tool of the trade.

Questions? Contact us: info@sanjuansedc.org.

Join us every other Tuesday at 9AM to speak with professionals in person at our live recordings. Presentations will be followed by Q and A. We invite anyone over 18 years old who is considering entering a new career.

• TBD

Join us via Zoom.
When: Tuesdays at 09:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada).

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUlduuorT8oGtZOIJ1PFDhhBhV2L8ia6yyb

Registration is required, but you can register up until the meeting starts. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting; you can attend one or several meetings with the same registration.

Want to listen while you work? You can: most of the Q&A and many of the presentation recordings do not depend on visuals.

Also, all recordings should have closed captions (currently auto-generated).

• Marine Trades: (Aug 11th) Do you love boats and ships? Mike Beemer, Chair of the Marine Maintenance Technology program at Skagit Valley College, spoke about how you can launch your career in the recreational boat, ship repair, and maintenance industries.
  • One key point: the 2020 Fall schedule would be great for San Juan County residents. Check it out and apply!
  • Videos include: Presentation and Q&A.
  • To get a taste of what it’s like, check out their YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRH6NoE_L1CyLUCAKHgyBVg .
  • More program information: slide deck with contact and program info; student schedule example.
• Masonry: (July 28th) We interviewed (video) Dave Koch of DKC Stoneworks about working in the masonry trades. You may also enjoy his videos for an introduction to the tools and techniques of these trades, and learn about the different kinds masonry work: masonry components of a fireplace (video), masonry hand tools (video), and masonry power tools (video).
• Flagging and Road Construction: (July 14th) Have you ever considered becoming a flagger and getting an opportunity to check out the trades? Vicki Hebert from Smugglers Cove Flagging is giving us peek into the world of flagging and road construction. Videos of presentation (video) and Q&A (video).
• 3D Design & Fabrication/Fab Labs: (June 30th) Introduction to Fab Lab-3D Design & Fabrication. Join Simone Amber (Fab Lab Connect) and Nader Shaterian (School Fab Lab) to learn how to adopt cutting-edge technology with ease and enhance your career with 21st-century skills. Click here for outline/flyer in pdf. After their introductory presentation, we had a discussion about how to create makerspaces in our community. Video is available (video). We are encouraging discussion and organization around this topic on our Slack workspace (part of our the Knowledge Worker Network). To join this discussion, please contact us.
• Solar & Wind Power Installation/Electrician: (June 23rd) Justin Wolfe of Rainshadow Solar & Energy Solutions Inc. told us about working in solar and renewable energy design and installation. Videos in 3 parts: (1) Justin’s presentation (video) on what they do, renewables in the San Juans, and what’s involved in a building a career in installing and designing residential (and commercial) solar energy projects; (2) a fascinating show-and-tell (video) of a solar/battery setup; and (3) Q&A (video) covering everything from technical issues, to jobs, to renewable energy prospects in the San Juan Archipelago (video in progress).
• Vehicle Technician/Fire Engine Mechanic: (June 16th) Paul Spencer, owner of Fire Fleet Maintenance LLC, described being a fire engine mechanic, and the varied pathways to becoming a mechanic. Two videos: a fascinating virtual tour of his work (video), and a discussion (video) of the pathways to being a vehicle technician, and the difference between a technician and mechanic.
• Construction (video): (June 2nd) Bryan Johnson, the co-founder of Island Craft Builders, LLC.  Bryan is a cheerleader for the building trades and believes they  offer a tremendous opportunity for financial and personal growth.
• Free Online Career Development Resources At SJC Libraries (video): (May 21st) “Level Up Your Business and Workforce.” Ingrid Vliet (Lopez Island Library) and Boyd Pratt (San Juan Island Library) tell us about library resources that you and your business can use to build skills to survive current challenges and thrive as things re-open. This video has a different presentation format because it was done in a series aimed at businesses.