Blue Collar StartUp - Episode 43: Breaking the Blue Collar Stigma with Curtis Lumber

In this episode, our hosts Mike Nelson and Derek Foster interview Doug Ford and Pam Stott, two employees of Curtis Lumber who specialize in workforce development! It's all anyone can talk about now: "Where are all the young workers?" "What will happen to the trades in ten years?" If Doug and Pam have anything to say about it, things will only get better - they're dedicated to educating people across the state about their options, and the wonderful truths about Blue Collar work - it's not "a backup job", it's skilled, profitable, fulfilling, and essential!

Welcome to Blue Collar StartUp, the podcast!
Our Mission is Simple: To facilitate the growth and development of Blue Collar businesses. We will showcase REAL Blue Collar businesses in interviews, and use these stories to help educate and empower the next generation of trades workers to become Blue Collar business owners!

00:15 - Show Begins
01:16 - Introductions
02:56 - Fix that Mic!
03:33 - All About Tupper and Saranac Lake
05:40 - Combatting Workforce Development Challenges
09:17 - The Blue Guarantee
11:23 - Overcoming the College Expectation
12:45 - Too Much Work? The “Real” Job Stigma
15:30 - COVID Helped Grow the Trades?!
16:52 - Stability, Benefits, Safety: The Trades Have Evolved!
18:08 - The Organization Grows
20:18 - Working with the Government
22:43 - Striking Against Stereotypes: Love for the Locals
26:27 - A Decades-Old Stereotype: When Will it Pass?
29:26 - The Education Pipeline
31:48 - Scary Statistics: Where is Everybody?
33:31 - Show Your Support! What You Can Do to Help
35:49 - Branching Out: Taking the Mission Further
37:42 - How to Get in Touch
38:26 - Closing Remarks: Shoutout to Michaels Group!