Labor Crisis as a National Emergency

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Hands On Heroes with Valerie Crafton

Val Crafton

29 episodes

1 week ago

As the Voice for the people who build, innovate, and sustain mission-critical infrastructure, Hands-On Heroes introduces the Podcast Host, Val Crafton who is The Voice of Grit — a trailblazer at the intersection of technology, trades, and transformation. With over two decades in mission-critical construction, she’s made it her purpose to amplify the people behind the progress — the builders, engineers, and innovators shaping our digital world. Val bridges the gap between boardrooms and jobsites, showing that the future of infrastructure isn’t just powered by data, it’s built by people.

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Labor Crisis as a National Emergency

Hands On Heroes with Valerie Crafton

54 minutes 34 seconds

3 months ago

Labor Crisis as a National Emergency

When you flip a light switch, there's no David Copperfield hiding behind the sheetrock. That's science at work, not magic. But what happens when we can't find the people who understand that science? Greg Crumpton, a 30-year veteran of the mechanical contracting industry, calls it what it is: a national emergency. In this unfiltered conversation, Greg pulls zero punches about SMEs who hoard knowledge, the generational divide that's costing us innovation, and why AI is a tool, not a threat. From liquid cooling in 1988 IBM mainframes to today's data center boom, this episode tackles the workforce pipeline crisis head-on with solutions that require courage, not comfort.

Key Insights:

• The "dog bone" workforce pipeline - why we have plenty of people entering and exiting but a dangerous gap in between where trade education disappeared

• Why SMEs complaining about labor shortages while refusing to mentor are "being lazy and selfish" - and what walking your talk actually looks like

• How the apprenticeship model must evolve from "show up, shut up, and listen" to showing clear career trajectories and growth paths

• The humility factor that separates industry leaders from those who get left behind - embracing fresh perspectives vs. dismissing new approaches

• AI as an efficiency multiplier for skilled trades - from QR code equipment histories to GPS-guided troubleshooting - without replacing human judgment

• Why excluding women from trades programs wastes half the available talent pool and how simple tools solve strength concerns

• The connection-making approach that changes careers - introductions matter more than resumes, and good people are everywhere if you're watching

This episode will challenge how you think about workforce development, mentoring responsibility, and the future of skilled trades in an AI-enhanced world.

Proudly sponsored by BCS Switchgear, Inc. WE ARE NOW AN OEM SWITCHBOARD MANUFACTURER UL-891

Connect with Greg and get the book:

https://www.gregcrumpton.com/blog/home/

Apply to be a Guest or Sponsor and follow along:

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Connect with Mara:

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Connect with Val:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerie-crafton-mba-0362b816/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://valconsultants.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠