StrataTech Education Group Launches National Podcast - Skilled Nation

Skilled Nation takes its audience inside the world of high-demand trades—welding, electrical, HVAC, industrial maintenance, and more

PHOENIX, Oct. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- StrataTech Education Group, a national leader in skilled trade education, has launched its new podcast, Skilled Nation, a channel designed to amplify a diverse lineup of voices that represent the heart of the trades.

The podcast premiered its first three episodes on Sept. 19, in honor of National Tradesperson Day, and will release subsequent episodes biweekly.

Hosted by Jimmy Rhoades, a regional Emmy award winning comedian, writer, producer and on-camera host, Skilled Nation shares authentic stories and unfiltered conversations from every corner of the skilled trades community and is packed with practical insights for anyone considering a career in the skilled trades.

"We launched Skilled Nation to challenge the outdated notion that the skilled trades are just a fallback career," says Mary Kelly, CEO of StrataTech. "We set out to show that trades are a smart, progressive choice for students, individuals looking to upskill, and anyone ready for a new career."

The first episode featured Chris Watt, lead HVAC instructor at The Refrigeration School Inc. (RSI) who dedicated his career to teaching the next generation of tradespeople, following episodes heard from Michael Gabhart, HVAC business owner whose journey is proof that hard work and determination in the skilled trades can transform a life, and Mark Plowman, instructor at Commercial Diving International who has mastered welding and other trades beneath the water's surface.

Future episodes will spotlight graduates who've turned their training into thriving careers, entrepreneurs who've built successful businesses from the ground up and influential figures shaping the future of the trades.

The podcast will also look ahead to exciting advances in smart home technologies, solar, and sustainable energy, showing why these careers are both future-proof and full of possibility.

Skilled Nation directly supports StrataTech's mission of elevating the skilled trades and challenging stigmas around these careers. The podcast is a front-row seat to the journeys, challenges, and triumphs of people living the Skilled Nation way: a way of life, a badge of honor.

Skilled Nation is available on all streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple and YouTube. To watch Skilled Nation visit, youtube.com/@skillednationpodcast.

About StrataTech Education Group
StrataTech Education Group focuses on the education, growth and development of specialized career education schools, particularly skilled-trade programs designed to address the nation's growing infrastructure needs. Holding an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau, StrataTech Education Group's portfolio includes The Refrigeration School, Inc. (RSI) (Phoenix), Tulsa Welding School (TWS) (Tulsa, OK), Tulsa Welding School Jacksonville (FL), Tulsa Welding School & Technology Center (Houston) and Tulsa Welding School Dallas (TX). For more information, visit StrataTech.com.

Media Contact: 
LAVIDGE PR, [email protected]

SOURCE StrataTech Education Group