Turning Skilled Jobs into Skilled Careers

In this episode, we sit down with JJ Owen, the driving force behind the Skilled Careers Coalition, a movement uniting students, educators, and industry leaders to close America’s skills gap. With partnerships spanning SkillsUSA, John Deere, and even TikTok, JJ has helped rally thousands toward seeing the skilled trades as not just jobs, but meaningful, high-potential careers.

With over 25,000 engaged followers, JJ shares how collaboration, storytelling, and grassroots advocacy are changing the way the next generation sees work with their hands. From his own background as a woodworker to his current mission as a coalition leader, JJ brings a genuine, boots-on-the-ground perspective that’s both inspiring and actionable.

Website URL: skilledcareers.org