Ryan Blythe

A Roadmap to Careers in the Skilled Trades

BY RYAN BLYTHE

Keith Williams is a technology entrepreneur whose startup, Skill Stadium, a skilled-trades job platform, uses video to connect job seekers and employers. Born and raised in Montreal, Williams is a dual citizen of the United States and Canada. The Trent University graduate has held consulting and leadership positions in technology for companies ranging from IBM to startups.

Why did you decide to do a podcast?

I started my podcast because I wanted to build relationships with people in the skilled trades, and I wanted to educate youth and career changers about the trades and what it takes to be successful. My vision for this podcast is for it to be a resource for those who are underrepresented in the skilled trades, primarily youth, women and minorities. I have been blessed to have people help me in my career, and this podcast allows me to pay it forward. I cannot think of a better way to learn about a profession from business owners and skilledtrades professionals.

What do listeners find so compelling?

Listeners enjoy learning people’s stories and experiences because they are so relatable. They are attracted to hearing about the career journeys of influencers and well-known skilltrades people.

After 100 podcasts, what is your favorite story?

It’s hard to pick just one guest, but one of my most memorable guests was Memesha Davis, Episode 25. She was a former retail worker who went from making $13K to $100K as an ironworker journeyman in New York City. I learned about her through an article on CNBC and contacted her through LinkedIn to be a guest on my podcast. She was a single-mom cancer survivor and very inspirational. She represents a great example of how to help address some of the under representation in the skilled trades by women and other minorities. Exposure to these careers, starting with girls in middle school, will help. Finally, providing a roadmap with access to apprenticeships and mentors can help to close the gender gap.

What can be done about the gender gap in the trades?

Bringing attention and support to nonprofits that are actively promoting careers in the skilled trades to young women, like Tools & Tiaras and KickAss Careers, is also key. I think if we can create a platform that lists all the organizations that support women entering the trades, it would help as well. This is a challenge that has existed for years, and it won’t be fixed in a day.

How can job seekers take advantage of your platform?

The biggest value of the Skill Stadium platform for job seekers is the ability to use video to showcase skills. Employers want to know that job seekers have the skills required to fulfill duties of the job. A video can allow a candidate to stand out. Best of all, it’s easy to create a profile and takes less than 10 minutes.

Keith Williams

Ryan Blythe is the founder of Georgia Trade School, which for the seventh consecutive year, was named one of the Cobb Chamber Top 25 Small Businesses of the Year.

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