1 00:00:00,040 --> 00:00:02,880 Speaker 1: Don't want to be in a Mafican Friday morning. 2 00:00:02,960 --> 00:00:05,960 Speaker 2: Slowly back with you on seven hundred WLW savoring and 3 00:00:06,040 --> 00:00:08,600 Speaker 2: the delicious tiredness of a who day win, which is 4 00:00:08,600 --> 00:00:11,840 Speaker 2: the opposite we've had in the past and Friday mornings. 5 00:00:11,840 --> 00:00:13,920 Speaker 2: I like to talk about a variety of different things 6 00:00:13,960 --> 00:00:16,880 Speaker 2: and not all newsy or I should say bad news. 7 00:00:16,960 --> 00:00:19,200 Speaker 2: He related some of this good news out there, believe 8 00:00:19,200 --> 00:00:21,320 Speaker 2: it or not, despite what we've been talking about, including 9 00:00:21,360 --> 00:00:24,400 Speaker 2: last night shooting, and that would be this. We're making 10 00:00:24,400 --> 00:00:25,680 Speaker 2: progress in a lot of areas. 11 00:00:25,720 --> 00:00:25,880 Speaker 3: You know. 12 00:00:25,920 --> 00:00:28,360 Speaker 2: We talked about the Duke Energy Convention Center going back 13 00:00:28,400 --> 00:00:30,560 Speaker 2: online and that's going to reopen, and the hotel is 14 00:00:31,440 --> 00:00:33,879 Speaker 2: about to be started as well, and then you talk about, hey, 15 00:00:33,920 --> 00:00:36,360 Speaker 2: maybe a new arena, and of course the Brent Spence 16 00:00:36,400 --> 00:00:38,840 Speaker 2: Bridge project is just about to be in full swing. 17 00:00:38,880 --> 00:00:40,920 Speaker 2: It'll be orange barrel hell for a few years, but 18 00:00:41,040 --> 00:00:43,640 Speaker 2: the end result is worth it. No more traffic jams 19 00:00:43,680 --> 00:00:46,720 Speaker 2: in Mayhem over the Ohio River. But to do all 20 00:00:46,760 --> 00:00:49,239 Speaker 2: those things you did and you still need and in 21 00:00:49,280 --> 00:00:51,159 Speaker 2: the future will need bodies to do it. And of 22 00:00:51,159 --> 00:00:54,160 Speaker 2: course one of my causes here on the show is 23 00:00:54,360 --> 00:00:57,200 Speaker 2: construction traits. I'm a SICKA fan for it because I 24 00:00:57,280 --> 00:00:59,240 Speaker 2: realized that not everyone should go to school. I was 25 00:00:59,280 --> 00:01:02,880 Speaker 2: one of those people, you know, but I got in 26 00:01:02,920 --> 00:01:04,959 Speaker 2: back in the day when nell you needed was a 27 00:01:05,080 --> 00:01:08,080 Speaker 2: check and a number two pencil. And today it's a 28 00:01:08,080 --> 00:01:09,959 Speaker 2: lot harder. The stakes are much higher, and we know 29 00:01:10,000 --> 00:01:11,800 Speaker 2: people are going to the debt and now they're looking 30 00:01:11,840 --> 00:01:14,000 Speaker 2: for the government and US taxpayer to bail them out 31 00:01:14,000 --> 00:01:15,200 Speaker 2: because the model is broken. 32 00:01:15,240 --> 00:01:16,400 Speaker 1: So what about the trades? 33 00:01:17,440 --> 00:01:20,440 Speaker 2: Don't we understand we're making some inroads here locally, but 34 00:01:20,880 --> 00:01:22,959 Speaker 2: at the same time, there's so much more to do. 35 00:01:23,040 --> 00:01:25,959 Speaker 2: And on that is John Strasser, my buddy John Strasser, 36 00:01:26,040 --> 00:01:29,920 Speaker 2: former CEO of Valley Interior Systems and Spirit of Construction 37 00:01:30,000 --> 00:01:32,600 Speaker 2: fellow board member for a long time. He's been doing 38 00:01:32,600 --> 00:01:35,000 Speaker 2: it since two thousand and three. And Amanda Smith is 39 00:01:35,040 --> 00:01:37,760 Speaker 2: the executive director of the Spirit of Construction Foundation. Welcome, guys, 40 00:01:37,760 --> 00:01:38,160 Speaker 2: How are you? 41 00:01:38,200 --> 00:01:38,840 Speaker 4: How is everybody? 42 00:01:39,400 --> 00:01:39,760 Speaker 3: Amanda? 43 00:01:39,840 --> 00:01:44,000 Speaker 1: Welcome in? Who day? Baby? Who Day? Got a man 44 00:01:44,080 --> 00:01:48,640 Speaker 1: as mic on day? Is that it is that? 45 00:01:48,760 --> 00:01:48,920 Speaker 3: It? 46 00:01:49,480 --> 00:01:49,640 Speaker 5: Hi? 47 00:01:50,000 --> 00:01:50,160 Speaker 6: Hi? 48 00:01:50,480 --> 00:01:52,800 Speaker 2: Yeah, I don't know. It's technology. We have no idea 49 00:01:52,800 --> 00:01:54,640 Speaker 2: what we're doing over here at LW. We have no idea. 50 00:01:54,640 --> 00:01:57,640 Speaker 2: We're really bad at it. We're in communications business. How 51 00:01:57,640 --> 00:01:58,040 Speaker 2: are you doing? 52 00:01:58,120 --> 00:02:01,120 Speaker 1: We're not very good at it? You guys. How's everything, John? 53 00:02:01,160 --> 00:02:02,240 Speaker 1: I know you're at the game last night. 54 00:02:04,640 --> 00:02:07,320 Speaker 4: Yeah yeah, well worth the late evening. 55 00:02:07,200 --> 00:02:09,720 Speaker 2: Yeah, gotcha, And it was fun to watch on TV. 56 00:02:09,840 --> 00:02:11,760 Speaker 2: So I got to bed before you did. But anyway, 57 00:02:13,280 --> 00:02:15,440 Speaker 2: let's start with the need first of all. I know 58 00:02:15,480 --> 00:02:18,520 Speaker 2: that we've made progress, and I'll start with you in 59 00:02:18,520 --> 00:02:20,600 Speaker 2: this ghen real quick and then we may progress and 60 00:02:21,160 --> 00:02:23,079 Speaker 2: getting people in the trades are starting to but there's 61 00:02:23,080 --> 00:02:24,280 Speaker 2: still a lot more to be done. 62 00:02:24,200 --> 00:02:27,119 Speaker 5: Right, There's a lot to be done with the retirement 63 00:02:27,160 --> 00:02:29,720 Speaker 5: age coming down a little bit in the trades, and 64 00:02:29,800 --> 00:02:33,560 Speaker 5: the shorte of people getting interested in the trades. Last 65 00:02:33,639 --> 00:02:36,160 Speaker 5: check I saw was we're sure about a million trades 66 00:02:36,200 --> 00:02:37,400 Speaker 5: people across the United States. 67 00:02:37,480 --> 00:02:40,200 Speaker 2: Yeah yeah, and that number continues to grow despite younger 68 00:02:40,200 --> 00:02:41,840 Speaker 2: people going hey, I want to get into the trades 69 00:02:41,840 --> 00:02:42,200 Speaker 2: as well. 70 00:02:42,360 --> 00:02:43,760 Speaker 1: I brought that opportune in Cincinnati. 71 00:02:43,840 --> 00:02:45,239 Speaker 2: Is that you know, we hear about hey, there's no 72 00:02:45,280 --> 00:02:47,679 Speaker 2: job opportunity, there's no opportunity for and what do you 73 00:02:47,720 --> 00:02:49,120 Speaker 2: expect when kids are going to go in the street 74 00:02:49,160 --> 00:02:51,040 Speaker 2: and try to hustle make money. We see these shootings 75 00:02:51,120 --> 00:02:53,959 Speaker 2: until I'll relate the stupid beefs and they're not working 76 00:02:54,000 --> 00:02:56,680 Speaker 2: and they're getting off the bus. And we've got all 77 00:02:56,680 --> 00:02:58,440 Speaker 2: these job we're building the bridge right now, about to 78 00:02:58,520 --> 00:03:00,880 Speaker 2: embark on this great You're gonna need thousands of jobs 79 00:03:00,880 --> 00:03:03,040 Speaker 2: out there. I mean, and I've said this before to 80 00:03:03,240 --> 00:03:06,320 Speaker 2: the influencer, decision makers and the shits stakeholders are going, well, 81 00:03:06,320 --> 00:03:07,000 Speaker 2: we just need. 82 00:03:06,840 --> 00:03:08,360 Speaker 1: More job their jobs right. 83 00:03:08,800 --> 00:03:11,080 Speaker 2: Literally, you guys will train people and put them to 84 00:03:11,120 --> 00:03:12,359 Speaker 2: work the same day, won't you. 85 00:03:12,720 --> 00:03:13,160 Speaker 4: We will. 86 00:03:13,280 --> 00:03:15,800 Speaker 5: And we're actually starting in the fifth grade to starting 87 00:03:15,840 --> 00:03:18,760 Speaker 5: your kids through the trades, through some of the curriculum 88 00:03:18,960 --> 00:03:22,480 Speaker 5: we're dealing with, and we're getting exposed to educated towards 89 00:03:22,560 --> 00:03:25,320 Speaker 5: and trained to have a job, a job ready come 90 00:03:25,400 --> 00:03:26,000 Speaker 5: senior year. 91 00:03:26,160 --> 00:03:29,000 Speaker 2: Yeah, And there's no outline either. It's like we hook 92 00:03:29,040 --> 00:03:30,520 Speaker 2: you up with the tools, we get to the training, 93 00:03:30,560 --> 00:03:33,480 Speaker 2: we own the job. You're making money. My nephew who 94 00:03:33,520 --> 00:03:36,800 Speaker 2: moved here from Oregon is is going to ic to 95 00:03:36,800 --> 00:03:39,200 Speaker 2: be an electrician, and so he works during the day 96 00:03:39,320 --> 00:03:41,240 Speaker 2: and then a night or two a week they send 97 00:03:41,280 --> 00:03:43,120 Speaker 2: him to school to learn how to become an electrician. 98 00:03:43,160 --> 00:03:45,080 Speaker 2: He doesn't pay for anything. He's making money along the way, 99 00:03:45,120 --> 00:03:48,520 Speaker 2: and there's so many those opportunities out there. Heating, ventilating, 100 00:03:48,520 --> 00:03:50,440 Speaker 2: air conditioning. Work with my guys in the grimmy group, 101 00:03:50,520 --> 00:03:53,040 Speaker 2: same thing. They do classes there to teach people with 102 00:03:53,480 --> 00:03:56,480 Speaker 2: daycon how to do AC and within eight weeks they're 103 00:03:56,520 --> 00:03:59,200 Speaker 2: on the job, they're making money. Plenty of opportunities like 104 00:03:59,200 --> 00:04:01,200 Speaker 2: that in Cincinnati, and I'm so tired of hearing about 105 00:04:01,200 --> 00:04:02,040 Speaker 2: there's no opportunity. 106 00:04:02,360 --> 00:04:06,280 Speaker 5: Yeah, the opportunities are you name the trade, plumbers, electricians, 107 00:04:06,360 --> 00:04:10,360 Speaker 5: mechanical painters, finishers. I mean, everybody needs workers right now. 108 00:04:11,280 --> 00:04:15,400 Speaker 5: And the push to get the kids exposed is making 109 00:04:15,480 --> 00:04:16,240 Speaker 5: making a big difference. 110 00:04:16,320 --> 00:04:16,520 Speaker 1: Yeah. 111 00:04:16,560 --> 00:04:19,240 Speaker 2: Really, let's turn to the Spirit of Construction Foundation, Amanda, 112 00:04:19,279 --> 00:04:21,839 Speaker 2: and were you come in where we came into to 113 00:04:21,920 --> 00:04:24,279 Speaker 2: try and bridge that app with scholarships and learning and 114 00:04:24,320 --> 00:04:25,440 Speaker 2: getting programs and schools. 115 00:04:25,480 --> 00:04:26,080 Speaker 4: Let's start with that. 116 00:04:27,040 --> 00:04:29,760 Speaker 2: I know when I was a board member with John, 117 00:04:29,880 --> 00:04:31,320 Speaker 2: I know the big thing was, hey, we got in 118 00:04:31,360 --> 00:04:32,000 Speaker 2: a woodward, you know. 119 00:04:32,000 --> 00:04:34,320 Speaker 1: We got shopped through the class back. But that's grown 120 00:04:34,400 --> 00:04:35,960 Speaker 1: beyond that, right absolutely. 121 00:04:36,440 --> 00:04:36,560 Speaker 3: So. 122 00:04:36,880 --> 00:04:39,520 Speaker 6: The Spirit of Construction was started back in nineteen ninety 123 00:04:39,560 --> 00:04:42,880 Speaker 6: six as a way to recognize and celebrate the construction industry, 124 00:04:43,400 --> 00:04:46,200 Speaker 6: and that was initially done through our annual gala. And 125 00:04:46,320 --> 00:04:49,800 Speaker 6: John here actually is one of our Lifetime Achievement Award 126 00:04:49,880 --> 00:04:52,320 Speaker 6: winners this year. So every year at the annual Gala, 127 00:04:52,680 --> 00:04:56,240 Speaker 6: we give out a Lifetime Achievement Award. What makes John's 128 00:04:56,360 --> 00:04:59,320 Speaker 6: award so special this year is that his dad also 129 00:04:59,520 --> 00:05:02,360 Speaker 6: won the Life Time Achievement war back in nineteen ninety nine, 130 00:05:02,440 --> 00:05:05,920 Speaker 6: so he's actually a second generation Lifetime honorees. So we're 131 00:05:06,480 --> 00:05:09,400 Speaker 6: very excited to celebrate John at our gala this year. 132 00:05:09,520 --> 00:05:11,200 Speaker 1: So what you're saying is John's old. 133 00:05:12,080 --> 00:05:14,440 Speaker 3: I'm saying John's a big deal, is what I'm saying. 134 00:05:14,520 --> 00:05:18,560 Speaker 3: John's amazing in his ego. He knows what we know, 135 00:05:18,640 --> 00:05:20,400 Speaker 3: what he's done. But it just means you're It's just 136 00:05:20,440 --> 00:05:23,200 Speaker 3: a nice way of saying, damn, you're old or a 137 00:05:23,279 --> 00:05:24,320 Speaker 3: buffaloed a lot of people. 138 00:05:25,560 --> 00:05:28,279 Speaker 2: Now, no one's more deserving because because honestly working alongside 139 00:05:28,360 --> 00:05:30,480 Speaker 2: you for a few years and just watching you the machine, 140 00:05:30,480 --> 00:05:32,960 Speaker 2: that's the chance. I mean, he really, John's the guy 141 00:05:32,960 --> 00:05:34,920 Speaker 2: who really drove this whole thing, and that's it's really 142 00:05:34,920 --> 00:05:36,279 Speaker 2: cool to see and it's a well deserved. 143 00:05:36,320 --> 00:05:38,040 Speaker 1: So congratulations, So we're. 144 00:05:37,880 --> 00:05:41,720 Speaker 6: Excited so what started out as having an annual gala 145 00:05:41,839 --> 00:05:45,640 Speaker 6: has grown into what it is today. And so beyond 146 00:05:45,680 --> 00:05:50,040 Speaker 6: the Gala, which is our major fundraiser, all net proceeds 147 00:05:50,040 --> 00:05:52,720 Speaker 6: from that gala go to three buckets of work that 148 00:05:52,760 --> 00:05:57,240 Speaker 6: we invest in, scholarships, workforce development, and we give out 149 00:05:57,320 --> 00:06:00,960 Speaker 6: mini grants to nonprofits focused on workforce development within the 150 00:06:01,000 --> 00:06:02,520 Speaker 6: construction industry right. 151 00:06:03,120 --> 00:06:05,680 Speaker 2: And those grants are nice because you look at the 152 00:06:05,720 --> 00:06:09,479 Speaker 2: organizations and that benefit from that is, you know, it's 153 00:06:09,680 --> 00:06:11,640 Speaker 2: girls Scouts. So you go through the list here of 154 00:06:11,920 --> 00:06:14,520 Speaker 2: organizations that get that and go, hey, we're putting these 155 00:06:14,520 --> 00:06:17,440 Speaker 2: programs in. We're doing summer school, like a class where 156 00:06:17,520 --> 00:06:19,839 Speaker 2: kids can do hands on building stuff and you know, 157 00:06:19,920 --> 00:06:22,760 Speaker 2: use power tools from Milwaukee and you know, drill holes 158 00:06:22,760 --> 00:06:25,040 Speaker 2: and boards and see how buildings are put together. And 159 00:06:25,080 --> 00:06:26,800 Speaker 2: when you have the house of hands on kid right 160 00:06:26,800 --> 00:06:29,520 Speaker 2: as the more tactile than than just sitting there and 161 00:06:29,560 --> 00:06:32,160 Speaker 2: wrote memorization. Had you done that for me, I think 162 00:06:32,240 --> 00:06:33,719 Speaker 2: I would be I would have been in the trades. 163 00:06:33,720 --> 00:06:35,200 Speaker 2: And I've been doing this, which a lot of people 164 00:06:35,200 --> 00:06:37,000 Speaker 2: listening and say, well, I really wish we could do 165 00:06:37,000 --> 00:06:39,919 Speaker 2: that in a tough way back machine. But some of 166 00:06:39,960 --> 00:06:42,920 Speaker 2: us learn just by looking at it. And we're finally 167 00:06:42,920 --> 00:06:44,760 Speaker 2: doing that. We're finally learning how to teach and reach 168 00:06:44,800 --> 00:06:47,120 Speaker 2: these kids. And you wonder, John, how many kids over 169 00:06:47,120 --> 00:06:49,760 Speaker 2: the years may have dropped out of school or said I, I, I, 170 00:06:50,640 --> 00:06:52,400 Speaker 2: this isn't for me because we're just sitting there and 171 00:06:52,440 --> 00:06:54,520 Speaker 2: it's the same way we all learned is here's a teacher, 172 00:06:54,560 --> 00:06:56,479 Speaker 2: here's a white boarder blackboard. Here, you're gonna have to 173 00:06:56,480 --> 00:06:58,520 Speaker 2: memorize this. Look in the book, it's all theory. You 174 00:06:58,600 --> 00:07:01,640 Speaker 2: put the practical thing in. This is why you need 175 00:07:01,680 --> 00:07:04,600 Speaker 2: shop math, for example, which you helped get into schools. 176 00:07:04,960 --> 00:07:07,159 Speaker 2: It's reaching so many kids would fall into the cracks before. 177 00:07:07,200 --> 00:07:07,800 Speaker 2: It's incredible. 178 00:07:08,000 --> 00:07:10,400 Speaker 5: Yeah, we're teaching kids how to take a tape measure 179 00:07:10,440 --> 00:07:12,280 Speaker 5: and say half inch plus three quarters is one and 180 00:07:12,320 --> 00:07:14,600 Speaker 5: a quarter. You and I understand that because we use 181 00:07:14,640 --> 00:07:16,720 Speaker 5: a tape measure almost every day in the jobs and 182 00:07:16,760 --> 00:07:18,680 Speaker 5: the trades, were the work we're doing around our homes. 183 00:07:19,600 --> 00:07:21,880 Speaker 5: And by getting the kids exposed to this, we think 184 00:07:21,920 --> 00:07:23,680 Speaker 5: that it's close to fifty percent of every student in 185 00:07:23,720 --> 00:07:26,600 Speaker 5: the classroom as a visual learner, yeah, not a book learner. 186 00:07:26,960 --> 00:07:30,520 Speaker 5: And the school system does not teach or focus on 187 00:07:30,560 --> 00:07:32,840 Speaker 5: these kind of kids. And now that we're doing it, 188 00:07:32,840 --> 00:07:35,040 Speaker 5: we're gaining the opportunity putting a tape measure in their hand. 189 00:07:35,160 --> 00:07:37,480 Speaker 5: Their eyes are opening up, they're understanding, they're looking up 190 00:07:37,480 --> 00:07:40,480 Speaker 5: into the sky at this and understanding that, Hey, science 191 00:07:40,520 --> 00:07:42,360 Speaker 5: ties in with math, and now a sudden, their grades 192 00:07:42,400 --> 00:07:45,560 Speaker 5: are accelerating their attending class and it's making a difference. 193 00:07:45,640 --> 00:07:47,960 Speaker 2: Yeah, like algebra, I don't know numbers and letters, why 194 00:07:48,000 --> 00:07:49,840 Speaker 2: do they need to go together? But you know, you 195 00:07:49,920 --> 00:07:53,120 Speaker 2: start doing calculations, you start doing like your roof, slopes 196 00:07:53,160 --> 00:07:56,040 Speaker 2: and stairs, and it's like, oh, I get it. Now 197 00:07:56,080 --> 00:07:58,520 Speaker 2: this is where it's applicable in the real world. And 198 00:07:58,600 --> 00:08:00,600 Speaker 2: I there was never that connection we're going to school, 199 00:08:00,880 --> 00:08:01,600 Speaker 2: and now there is. 200 00:08:02,040 --> 00:08:04,240 Speaker 5: Yeah, and it's making a big difference. In the end, 201 00:08:04,280 --> 00:08:06,920 Speaker 5: we're seeing kids come into the trades now with a 202 00:08:06,960 --> 00:08:07,600 Speaker 5: direct impact. 203 00:08:07,640 --> 00:08:08,240 Speaker 4: Now, it takes time. 204 00:08:08,360 --> 00:08:10,640 Speaker 5: I mean when you start teaching in fifth grade, you 205 00:08:10,680 --> 00:08:12,560 Speaker 5: know you've got a seven year process to get them 206 00:08:12,600 --> 00:08:15,840 Speaker 5: through where they become the correct nation to being hired. 207 00:08:17,160 --> 00:08:20,760 Speaker 5: But we're now, after the years of work we put in, 208 00:08:20,800 --> 00:08:23,320 Speaker 5: we're starting to have kids now make that jump to 209 00:08:23,400 --> 00:08:23,760 Speaker 5: the trades. 210 00:08:23,880 --> 00:08:24,560 Speaker 1: Yeah. 211 00:08:24,800 --> 00:08:26,480 Speaker 2: Again, it's a man a Smith, the executive director of 212 00:08:26,480 --> 00:08:29,320 Speaker 2: Spiritual Construction Foundation, and John Strass are the former CEO 213 00:08:29,360 --> 00:08:31,360 Speaker 2: of Valley Interiors here in Cincinnati, but they're all over 214 00:08:31,400 --> 00:08:34,080 Speaker 2: the state. A board member there since two thousand and three, 215 00:08:34,160 --> 00:08:35,440 Speaker 2: and he's going to be an honoree this year at 216 00:08:35,440 --> 00:08:37,079 Speaker 2: the gala, which is coming up on the twenty. 217 00:08:36,840 --> 00:08:40,280 Speaker 6: Fifth, right, that's right next Saturday, full house, full house, 218 00:08:40,360 --> 00:08:43,240 Speaker 6: record number thirteen hundred folks done at the Northern Kentucky 219 00:08:43,240 --> 00:08:47,880 Speaker 6: Convention Center. Next year is our thirtieth annual gala, so we're. 220 00:08:47,760 --> 00:08:48,560 Speaker 1: Excited about that. 221 00:08:50,040 --> 00:08:53,319 Speaker 6: But all proceeds from the gala actually are reinvested as 222 00:08:53,360 --> 00:08:56,960 Speaker 6: a foundation. We are a funder and we reinvest those 223 00:08:56,960 --> 00:09:00,000 Speaker 6: dollars back into workforce development within the trades and construction. 224 00:09:00,040 --> 00:09:01,880 Speaker 2: So part of that a scholarships you have went into 225 00:09:01,920 --> 00:09:04,559 Speaker 2: like like seven hundred thousand dollars of years in scholarships, 226 00:09:04,800 --> 00:09:05,199 Speaker 2: that's right. 227 00:09:05,280 --> 00:09:07,840 Speaker 6: So we've been doing scholarships since two thousand and four. 228 00:09:08,040 --> 00:09:11,080 Speaker 6: We started by giving out scholarships at University of Cincinnati. 229 00:09:11,760 --> 00:09:14,760 Speaker 6: This year alone, we gave out twenty five scholarships seventy 230 00:09:14,840 --> 00:09:18,640 Speaker 6: eight thousand dollars, and those scholarships are first students at 231 00:09:18,720 --> 00:09:23,240 Speaker 6: NKU and UC that are looking at construction management Cincinnati 232 00:09:23,280 --> 00:09:26,120 Speaker 6: State as well. And then we also give scholarships to 233 00:09:26,200 --> 00:09:30,400 Speaker 6: military veterans that are looking at getting into construction. And 234 00:09:30,480 --> 00:09:32,560 Speaker 6: for the first time ever this year we gave out 235 00:09:32,640 --> 00:09:37,960 Speaker 6: skilled trade scholarships, so that's anyone that's interested in getting 236 00:09:38,040 --> 00:09:41,160 Speaker 6: enrolled or as an incentive to keep them enrolled in 237 00:09:41,200 --> 00:09:44,960 Speaker 6: skilled trades. So we're really proud of our scholarship program. 238 00:09:45,400 --> 00:09:48,120 Speaker 6: Since two thousand and four, we've given out two hundred 239 00:09:48,160 --> 00:09:49,760 Speaker 6: and seventy eight scholarships. 240 00:09:49,960 --> 00:09:51,960 Speaker 2: Yeah, and it's cool now because you get people fighting 241 00:09:52,000 --> 00:09:53,520 Speaker 2: for the scholarship and saying, hey, we're doing this this 242 00:09:53,559 --> 00:09:55,680 Speaker 2: and it's not a bating war, but you know, you 243 00:09:55,679 --> 00:09:57,720 Speaker 2: want to see worthy best bank for the bucket's going 244 00:09:57,760 --> 00:10:00,280 Speaker 2: to be. But it makes all those entities be sharp 245 00:10:00,320 --> 00:10:02,560 Speaker 2: at what they're doing. Their focus, of course, is getting 246 00:10:02,600 --> 00:10:04,560 Speaker 2: young people in the construction strads and I'm so happy 247 00:10:04,640 --> 00:10:06,959 Speaker 2: to see that we are getting fifth graders now interested 248 00:10:07,000 --> 00:10:09,520 Speaker 2: in there. It used to be a tough sell to 249 00:10:09,520 --> 00:10:12,720 Speaker 2: school public schools in Cincinnati John where they're like, yeah, 250 00:10:12,920 --> 00:10:14,640 Speaker 2: you know we were find the way, where no, you're not. 251 00:10:14,720 --> 00:10:16,920 Speaker 2: You're missing all these kids and it's so sad to 252 00:10:16,920 --> 00:10:18,400 Speaker 2: me to think over the years, how many kids were 253 00:10:18,400 --> 00:10:20,679 Speaker 2: lost that they may have turned to a life. I mean, 254 00:10:20,720 --> 00:10:22,319 Speaker 2: so let's face it, you know, you fall through the cracks, 255 00:10:22,320 --> 00:10:23,960 Speaker 2: you drop out a school, life is it's not going 256 00:10:24,040 --> 00:10:25,760 Speaker 2: to work out for you, and chances are going to 257 00:10:25,760 --> 00:10:28,440 Speaker 2: depend on the system or in one way or the other. 258 00:10:29,160 --> 00:10:30,520 Speaker 2: And we know what the outcome is. I mean, look 259 00:10:30,520 --> 00:10:33,040 Speaker 2: at the violence happening in Cincinnati, and you wonder how 260 00:10:33,080 --> 00:10:35,200 Speaker 2: many of those young lives could have been reached years 261 00:10:35,240 --> 00:10:36,920 Speaker 2: before if we would have done this. But the good 262 00:10:36,920 --> 00:10:39,839 Speaker 2: news is we're making progress. So let's talk about the 263 00:10:39,840 --> 00:10:42,080 Speaker 2: expansion into public schools and the life because I mentioned 264 00:10:42,120 --> 00:10:44,400 Speaker 2: Woodward and the light bulb went off for I think 265 00:10:44,400 --> 00:10:46,400 Speaker 2: a lot of people and they heard and this is 266 00:10:46,480 --> 00:10:49,400 Speaker 2: years ago, and you'd be able to articulate this better 267 00:10:49,400 --> 00:10:51,360 Speaker 2: than I can. But I recall going, hey, these are 268 00:10:51,440 --> 00:10:53,679 Speaker 2: kids who are like on the margins, probably not doing well. 269 00:10:54,000 --> 00:10:56,720 Speaker 2: All of a sudden, we're teaching the trades, shop class, shop, 270 00:10:56,760 --> 00:10:58,840 Speaker 2: math and stuff like that, and they went from literally 271 00:10:59,559 --> 00:11:02,080 Speaker 2: on the board line of dropping out to being among 272 00:11:02,120 --> 00:11:03,280 Speaker 2: the best performers in the. 273 00:11:03,240 --> 00:11:05,559 Speaker 1: School in the school itself, as far as academics go. 274 00:11:06,040 --> 00:11:08,360 Speaker 5: In twenty seventeen is when we started the program at 275 00:11:08,400 --> 00:11:11,640 Speaker 5: Woodward and the first eleven students that were put into 276 00:11:11,679 --> 00:11:16,440 Speaker 5: the program were very high risk. Two of the eleven 277 00:11:16,520 --> 00:11:20,000 Speaker 5: dropped out of school fairly quick. The other nine continue 278 00:11:20,040 --> 00:11:24,319 Speaker 5: through the program and graduated four years later. Seven went 279 00:11:24,360 --> 00:11:27,400 Speaker 5: into the trades, two actually went into nursing, and one 280 00:11:27,400 --> 00:11:29,599 Speaker 5: of the nine end up top five of the class academically. 281 00:11:30,200 --> 00:11:31,680 Speaker 4: And it was all because of the math program. 282 00:11:31,760 --> 00:11:34,280 Speaker 2: Yeah, because they could see it now and I think 283 00:11:34,320 --> 00:11:36,199 Speaker 2: that that literally goes. I know it kept getting back 284 00:11:36,240 --> 00:11:38,520 Speaker 2: to that, but that's a big thing. I think to 285 00:11:38,600 --> 00:11:40,480 Speaker 2: get those mind, the hearts and mind change. 286 00:11:40,480 --> 00:11:40,920 Speaker 1: And then when you. 287 00:11:40,880 --> 00:11:44,000 Speaker 2: See the educators go wow, Okay, well maybe we're missing 288 00:11:44,000 --> 00:11:45,960 Speaker 2: something here. Now it's spread like wildfire. 289 00:11:46,240 --> 00:11:49,880 Speaker 5: Yeah, we started it Woodward and teachers were talking to 290 00:11:49,920 --> 00:11:54,840 Speaker 5: other teachers at other school systems, and maybe eight years 291 00:11:54,880 --> 00:11:57,480 Speaker 5: later we're in thirty one school systems. That's unreal throughout 292 00:11:57,480 --> 00:11:58,920 Speaker 5: the Ohio and Northy. 293 00:11:58,679 --> 00:12:00,439 Speaker 2: Could So it's making a comeback, but we still have 294 00:12:00,480 --> 00:12:02,319 Speaker 2: a long way to go, right, Amanda. That's the thing 295 00:12:02,400 --> 00:12:04,240 Speaker 2: is with the scholarship and the attention, the spirit of 296 00:12:04,240 --> 00:12:07,360 Speaker 2: Construction Foundation, there's just so much more work so this 297 00:12:07,440 --> 00:12:09,120 Speaker 2: is just just the start of things. I mean, thirty 298 00:12:09,120 --> 00:12:11,360 Speaker 2: one schools from one is a lot in just a 299 00:12:11,400 --> 00:12:13,840 Speaker 2: few short years, less than a decade. But you want 300 00:12:13,880 --> 00:12:15,679 Speaker 2: to see that number in one hundreds, nowolute, how do 301 00:12:15,720 --> 00:12:16,080 Speaker 2: you do that? 302 00:12:16,400 --> 00:12:16,640 Speaker 4: Well? 303 00:12:17,400 --> 00:12:20,239 Speaker 6: One of the ways is that we are making investments 304 00:12:20,320 --> 00:12:26,119 Speaker 6: in workforce development programs. Specifically, as we've mentioned, we're targeting 305 00:12:26,400 --> 00:12:29,920 Speaker 6: kids that are in middle school in Northern Kentucky. We 306 00:12:29,960 --> 00:12:33,480 Speaker 6: supported a program called Trades Northern Kentucky. It started out 307 00:12:33,480 --> 00:12:36,559 Speaker 6: in Campbell County schools reaching about two hundred and seventy 308 00:12:36,600 --> 00:12:41,080 Speaker 6: middle schoolers. With our support and matching dollars from BNKY, 309 00:12:41,200 --> 00:12:44,679 Speaker 6: they're now in Kenton County schools and in Homes Middle 310 00:12:44,679 --> 00:12:48,760 Speaker 6: School they're reaching over six hundred kids. And that's again 311 00:12:48,880 --> 00:12:52,200 Speaker 6: providing exposure to the students about what is skilled trades, 312 00:12:52,240 --> 00:12:55,600 Speaker 6: what does a career path look like? And then for 313 00:12:55,640 --> 00:12:58,440 Speaker 6: the very first time, Trades in Northern Kentucky is having 314 00:12:58,960 --> 00:13:02,520 Speaker 6: a Skilled Trades Career Fair in April of twenty six. 315 00:13:03,200 --> 00:13:05,920 Speaker 6: And again, we just want to continue to provide exposure 316 00:13:06,000 --> 00:13:09,800 Speaker 6: to students that you know, as you guys have talked 317 00:13:09,800 --> 00:13:13,120 Speaker 6: about our visual learners, maybe not you know, planning on 318 00:13:13,200 --> 00:13:15,560 Speaker 6: going to college. But we want to tell the kids, 319 00:13:15,600 --> 00:13:18,920 Speaker 6: but not only the kids, their parents, that skilled trades 320 00:13:19,080 --> 00:13:21,640 Speaker 6: is a viable career path where you can make great 321 00:13:21,760 --> 00:13:24,840 Speaker 6: money and have a really great future and great career 322 00:13:24,920 --> 00:13:25,600 Speaker 6: if you pick it. 323 00:13:25,679 --> 00:13:28,600 Speaker 2: Do you feel like because of these students don't let 324 00:13:29,120 --> 00:13:31,960 Speaker 2: the student debt and the long crisis and a host 325 00:13:31,960 --> 00:13:34,079 Speaker 2: of other factors, that parents are starting to maybe wake 326 00:13:34,160 --> 00:13:36,440 Speaker 2: up that way because on that long ago where and 327 00:13:36,480 --> 00:13:39,240 Speaker 2: a lot of parents, some parents still do this. They 328 00:13:39,320 --> 00:13:41,599 Speaker 2: look at their success as a parent by where the 329 00:13:41,720 --> 00:13:43,480 Speaker 2: kid goes to college and not as that that's right. 330 00:13:43,520 --> 00:13:45,040 Speaker 2: I mean, there's still that stigma out there like, oh, 331 00:13:45,160 --> 00:13:46,720 Speaker 2: my kid doesn't go to college and here or she 332 00:13:47,040 --> 00:13:50,000 Speaker 2: it's shame and somehow it's shameful, and it's all that's marketing, 333 00:13:50,080 --> 00:13:52,800 Speaker 2: is all that is. Are we starting to win that 334 00:13:52,880 --> 00:13:54,840 Speaker 2: war of attrition or starting to win that war that 335 00:13:55,400 --> 00:13:59,240 Speaker 2: the trades are noble and also a very enriching area. 336 00:13:59,040 --> 00:14:01,120 Speaker 6: To go Absolutely, and I think it's all about dollars 337 00:14:01,120 --> 00:14:03,959 Speaker 6: and cents too. If we can show them that your 338 00:14:04,080 --> 00:14:08,440 Speaker 6: child can earn to learn through an apprenticeship program, so 339 00:14:08,559 --> 00:14:12,160 Speaker 6: right out of high school they're making money. They're not encouraging, 340 00:14:12,520 --> 00:14:15,520 Speaker 6: they're not incurring college debt, and they're making a really 341 00:14:15,559 --> 00:14:18,200 Speaker 6: great wage. I think that's the story that we have 342 00:14:18,280 --> 00:14:23,960 Speaker 6: to get to parents that it's it's an exciting, honorable 343 00:14:24,200 --> 00:14:27,640 Speaker 6: career that a lot of people, you know, find great 344 00:14:29,360 --> 00:14:32,280 Speaker 6: joy in and it's okay to not go to college. 345 00:14:32,520 --> 00:14:35,120 Speaker 6: And so not only are we trying to tell the 346 00:14:35,200 --> 00:14:37,240 Speaker 6: kids that, but we also need to tell their parents 347 00:14:37,240 --> 00:14:37,720 Speaker 6: that as well. 348 00:14:37,920 --> 00:14:40,320 Speaker 2: Yeah, and hopefully that model is changing that the value 349 00:14:40,320 --> 00:14:42,240 Speaker 2: of parenthood is not like where my kid went to school, 350 00:14:42,320 --> 00:14:44,240 Speaker 2: or where I'm going to school, or you know, where 351 00:14:44,280 --> 00:14:44,960 Speaker 2: the degree is from. 352 00:14:44,960 --> 00:14:47,239 Speaker 1: It's rather the fact is like are you being productive? 353 00:14:47,400 --> 00:14:49,840 Speaker 2: You know, can you afford a middle class or offera 354 00:14:49,840 --> 00:14:52,640 Speaker 2: Pesson lifestyle? And a lot of folks who are in 355 00:14:52,640 --> 00:14:54,520 Speaker 2: the trades right it's like, hey, you know the light 356 00:14:54,600 --> 00:14:57,560 Speaker 2: bull goes off, Like my nephew's in electrical now, And 357 00:14:57,600 --> 00:14:59,160 Speaker 2: I said, you know, when you're my age, though, you 358 00:14:59,200 --> 00:15:01,000 Speaker 2: want to be the guy who owns the place that 359 00:15:01,040 --> 00:15:03,840 Speaker 2: is hiring other electricians Like John, you're a family business 360 00:15:03,840 --> 00:15:05,440 Speaker 2: at Valianteer, you know what I'm saying. But how many 361 00:15:05,440 --> 00:15:09,480 Speaker 2: guys do that? And women now that are learning and 362 00:15:09,520 --> 00:15:11,320 Speaker 2: becoming masters of what they do, but then branching off 363 00:15:11,320 --> 00:15:12,880 Speaker 2: and doing their own thing. That's American dream. 364 00:15:13,080 --> 00:15:13,280 Speaker 4: Yeah. 365 00:15:13,320 --> 00:15:15,560 Speaker 5: The stories are numerous, and we at the gala next 366 00:15:15,560 --> 00:15:18,320 Speaker 5: weekend over thirty years of a Lifetime Achievement Award winners. 367 00:15:18,680 --> 00:15:21,280 Speaker 5: The stories were all about I had a pickup truck, 368 00:15:21,320 --> 00:15:23,360 Speaker 5: I went to the banker and got a ten thousand 369 00:15:23,400 --> 00:15:26,600 Speaker 5: dollars loan and created a you know, a company that 370 00:15:26,680 --> 00:15:27,600 Speaker 5: hires five hundred people. 371 00:15:27,760 --> 00:15:29,720 Speaker 4: Yeah, So the stories are endless. 372 00:15:30,320 --> 00:15:33,680 Speaker 5: It's just you know, most contractors are very humble and 373 00:15:33,880 --> 00:15:36,000 Speaker 5: don't toot their horn, and most people don't understand the 374 00:15:36,520 --> 00:15:38,800 Speaker 5: opportunities that exist within the construction industry. 375 00:15:38,880 --> 00:15:42,200 Speaker 2: Yeah, yeah, yeah, I think Jostin for example, and you 376 00:15:42,280 --> 00:15:43,600 Speaker 2: know the Smithman family. 377 00:15:43,640 --> 00:15:43,960 Speaker 1: Same thing. 378 00:15:43,960 --> 00:15:45,720 Speaker 2: It's like, hey, we started this thing and they're growing 379 00:15:45,760 --> 00:15:47,720 Speaker 2: and growing in company. It happens all the time, like 380 00:15:47,800 --> 00:15:49,720 Speaker 2: these these people will leave, you know, folks will leave 381 00:15:49,720 --> 00:15:52,120 Speaker 2: a company, or they'll get some experience in trades and 382 00:15:52,160 --> 00:15:54,520 Speaker 2: wind up doing their own thing and grow, which turns 383 00:15:54,520 --> 00:15:56,800 Speaker 2: out to be the future. Companies will be board members 384 00:15:56,800 --> 00:16:00,000 Speaker 2: and have seats at the table the future spiritual construct 385 00:16:00,080 --> 00:16:01,920 Speaker 2: and so it's an awesome thing to see. So, you know, 386 00:16:01,960 --> 00:16:04,360 Speaker 2: if you have the wherewith all the knowledge a little 387 00:16:04,400 --> 00:16:06,040 Speaker 2: bit of luck on your side too, you can achieve 388 00:16:06,040 --> 00:16:08,320 Speaker 2: these great things. And there's so many people. That always 389 00:16:08,320 --> 00:16:11,040 Speaker 2: strikes me that when we do the event and again 390 00:16:11,080 --> 00:16:13,120 Speaker 2: it's a twenty fifth and how many people are like, yeah, 391 00:16:13,200 --> 00:16:15,480 Speaker 2: high school, you don't you know, you don't need a 392 00:16:15,600 --> 00:16:18,040 Speaker 2: doctorate in construction. I mean, it's nice that you have 393 00:16:18,120 --> 00:16:20,480 Speaker 2: that stuff, right architectural to grow, kay, But a lot 394 00:16:20,480 --> 00:16:22,960 Speaker 2: of those folks are like, yeah, I was swinging a hammer, 395 00:16:23,040 --> 00:16:24,720 Speaker 2: or I was you know, I was using a shovel, 396 00:16:24,880 --> 00:16:27,480 Speaker 2: or I was doing heavy equipment and just kind of 397 00:16:27,480 --> 00:16:29,320 Speaker 2: grew into this thing. And here we are today and 398 00:16:29,360 --> 00:16:31,200 Speaker 2: now when playing hundreds of people, it's great. 399 00:16:31,080 --> 00:16:32,400 Speaker 4: And a lot of people, you know, it's it's a 400 00:16:32,520 --> 00:16:34,720 Speaker 4: very generous group of people. 401 00:16:34,800 --> 00:16:35,000 Speaker 1: Also. 402 00:16:35,080 --> 00:16:36,800 Speaker 5: I mean next weekend we're looking at raising I think 403 00:16:36,840 --> 00:16:39,880 Speaker 5: one point one million dollars to give back to the 404 00:16:39,880 --> 00:16:44,440 Speaker 5: trades right right, And this is all homegrown in Cincinnati 405 00:16:44,560 --> 00:16:47,760 Speaker 5: companies that are that are supporting what we're doing. 406 00:16:47,880 --> 00:16:50,160 Speaker 2: Yeah, before you go, I want to get a plug 407 00:16:50,160 --> 00:16:53,120 Speaker 2: in real quick for the beer because that's really really cool. 408 00:16:53,160 --> 00:16:55,680 Speaker 2: That's one of the coolest partnerships collabs. As a kid 409 00:16:55,720 --> 00:16:59,920 Speaker 2: say today, Uh, Spirit of Construction and Blueprint. 410 00:16:59,640 --> 00:17:04,480 Speaker 6: That's so last spring. This past spring we launched a 411 00:17:04,520 --> 00:17:08,920 Speaker 6: beer with Braxton. It's called Braxton Blueprint, and proceeds from 412 00:17:09,040 --> 00:17:11,240 Speaker 6: the sales of the beer actually come back to the 413 00:17:11,280 --> 00:17:15,159 Speaker 6: Spirit and we're going to reinvest in workforce development. The 414 00:17:15,200 --> 00:17:19,480 Speaker 6: beer can be found at Kroger, Party Source independent liquor stores. 415 00:17:20,160 --> 00:17:23,960 Speaker 6: So go out and buy a fifteen pack called Blueprint 416 00:17:23,960 --> 00:17:25,239 Speaker 6: by braxtlue. 417 00:17:24,680 --> 00:17:26,480 Speaker 2: Print by Backs, which by the way, I have a fifty. 418 00:17:26,480 --> 00:17:28,080 Speaker 2: I have some in my fridge at home for that 419 00:17:28,200 --> 00:17:30,280 Speaker 2: very reason. Support the cause and if you see that, 420 00:17:30,359 --> 00:17:32,920 Speaker 2: go and it's really, actually really good beer. So really 421 00:17:32,960 --> 00:17:35,200 Speaker 2: they BRAC did a great job. We're there for the rollout. 422 00:17:35,600 --> 00:17:37,040 Speaker 2: I got to get going. But again I know that 423 00:17:37,080 --> 00:17:39,199 Speaker 2: the gala is sold up. But congratulations John in your 424 00:17:39,200 --> 00:17:42,280 Speaker 2: lifetime achievement. It's well deserved. My buddy John Strasser and 425 00:17:42,280 --> 00:17:44,720 Speaker 2: Amanda Smith, who of course now is the executive director 426 00:17:44,720 --> 00:17:47,720 Speaker 2: of Spirit Construction Foundation popping in their gala happens on 427 00:17:47,800 --> 00:17:49,520 Speaker 2: the twenty fifth. But just wanted to lay out all 428 00:17:49,560 --> 00:17:51,199 Speaker 2: the great work. Well, those bad news are happening, this 429 00:17:51,240 --> 00:17:53,159 Speaker 2: is good news, like this is solving the problem of 430 00:17:53,480 --> 00:17:56,640 Speaker 2: generational poverty and the problems we face in downtown Cincinnati, 431 00:17:56,680 --> 00:17:59,920 Speaker 2: but also enabling young people to realize that, like hey, listen, 432 00:18:00,359 --> 00:18:02,280 Speaker 2: not the best epic academic in roll, but there's a 433 00:18:02,359 --> 00:18:04,760 Speaker 2: chance for you to be extremely successful in life. It 434 00:18:04,800 --> 00:18:06,720 Speaker 2: doesn't mean where you go to college. It's just you 435 00:18:06,800 --> 00:18:09,320 Speaker 2: got to continue your learning. Some of us learn differently 436 00:18:09,320 --> 00:18:11,639 Speaker 2: than others, and we'll recognize that. And the growth has 437 00:18:11,680 --> 00:18:14,240 Speaker 2: been tremendous here in Cincinnati. So really proud of that 438 00:18:14,280 --> 00:18:16,600 Speaker 2: for you guys. Congratulations and thanks again for coming in. 439 00:18:16,640 --> 00:18:17,240 Speaker 4: Thank you for having me. 440 00:18:17,320 --> 00:18:18,520 Speaker 2: I have a great weekend. I got to get a 441 00:18:18,520 --> 00:18:20,400 Speaker 2: news break in. We'll find out what's happening in around 442 00:18:20,440 --> 00:18:22,760 Speaker 2: the world. Winn Return, Austin is here. It's time for 443 00:18:22,760 --> 00:18:25,119 Speaker 2: a little sports. We'll talk Hooday, Hooday and more. Hooday 444 00:18:25,200 --> 00:18:27,240 Speaker 2: is the Bengals and we should tip a hat to 445 00:18:27,280 --> 00:18:30,359 Speaker 2: our brothers and sisters in Cleveland because together we are 446 00:18:30,359 --> 00:18:33,520 Speaker 2: Ohio strong and Ohio proud. That the Browns may not 447 00:18:33,560 --> 00:18:35,479 Speaker 2: win a game the rest of the season, but they 448 00:18:35,520 --> 00:18:38,560 Speaker 2: still beat the Steelers yesterday at pay Course seven hundred 449 00:18:38,600 --> 00:18:39,119 Speaker 2: WLW