Trades and Triumphs

Dive into the dynamic world of the maritime industry with our podcast series! Explore the stories behind the people who power this thriving sector, uncovering their journeys from humble beginnings to industry leaders. Each episode offers a captivating glimpse into the careers and businesses that keep the maritime world moving. Brought to you by the Regional Maritime Training System and powered by the Hampton Roads Workforce Council, this series is your gateway to understanding the pulse of an industry that’s charting the course for the future.

Trades and Triumphs is a business podcast hosted by RMTS, with 18 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

RMTS hosts Trades and Triumphs, a business show with 18 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #17

  The Left Turn That Paid Off: Tyler VanAuken’s Path in the Maritime Trades

  Jan 28, 202640 minS1

  <p>In this episode, we sit down with <b>Tyler VanAuken of Mills Marine</b> to explore a modern skilled-trades career path that goes far beyond welding. Tyler shares how an early interest in art and fabrication led him into the maritime industry, starting as a shop helper and evolving into his current role as <b>Weld Program Manager and Level III NDT Lead</b>—all by age 31.</p><p>The conversation dives into fabrication, quality assurance, workforce development, and why trades like welding can open doors to leadership, QA, and technical management roles. Tyler also discusses the importance of tr...

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  Episode #16

  Building Hampton Roads’ Maritime Talent Pipeline with Whitney Lester

  Jan 21, 202648 minS1

  <p>In this episode, we sit down with Whitney Lester of the Hampton Roads Workforce Council for a behind-the-scenes look at how the region is tackling one of its biggest challenges: building a sustainable skilled-trades pipeline for the maritime industry. Whitney explains how the Council—one of Virginia’s 14 workforce boards and now the largest after a regional merger—moved beyond traditional workforce services to create an employer-led, data-driven system that aligns hiring demand with training supply. From a $663K Go Virginia grant that launched dedicated talent roles, to an $11M federal Good Jobs Challenge award that helped spark the Hampto...

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  Episode #16

  From Awareness to Workforce: Strengthening Maritime Careers in Our Region

  Dec 15, 202525 minS1

  <p>The podcast highlights a large-scale maritime career and workforce event hosted at Nauticus by the Hampton Roads Workforce Council and its partners. Leaders from workforce development, industry, education, and the U.S. Coast Guard emphasize the critical role maritime plays in the regional economy, national security, and future job growth, with more than 30,000 positions projected to be needed in the coming years. The conversation underscores the urgent need to raise awareness and build talent pipelines by engaging families, students, career changers, and veterans through hands-on experiences, education pathways, and collaboration between industry and training institutions. The event showcases the...

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  Episode #15

  Shawn Avery - The Challenges, Opportunity and Progress of the Maritime Industry in Hampton Roads

  Jan 27, 202528 minS1

  <p>For this episode, we talked with Sean Avery, who's president and CEO of the Hampton Roads Workforce Council. Listen closely as Sean talks about the challenges, the opportunities, and the progress that's being made in the region.</p><p>Visit www.maritimejobsva.com to discover what career and training opportunities are right for you in the Hampton Roads maritime industry. <br/><br/>The Regional Maritime Training System (RMTS) was established using a $11 million (41%) Good Jobs Challenge Grant awarded by the Economic Development Administration. It is supported by $12.1 million (46%) provided through BlueForge Alliance in partnership with the U.S. Department...

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  Episode #14

  Tracey Nales - CEO of EM Ship Repair LLC.

  Jan 14, 202518 minS1

  <p>We sat down with Tracy Nails of EM Ship Repair, she's half of a husband and wife team that own a company that is working in the Hampton Roads maritime industry. Father and husband are maritime workers, Tracy went to college, got her MBA</p><p>Visit www.maritimejobsva.com to discover what career and training opportunities are right for you in the Hampton Roads maritime industry. <br/><br/>The Regional Maritime Training System (RMTS) was established using a $11 million (41%) Good Jobs Challenge Grant awarded by the Economic Development Administration. It is supported by $12.1 million (46%) provided through BlueForge Alliance...

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