Spark the Trade is a podcast by Spanky the Sparky featuring real conversations from inside the skilled trades. From apprentices and journeymen to foremen, superintendents, and business owners, the show covers career paths, life on the job, union work, money, culture, and the future of the trades. No fluff, no corporate spin — just honest talk from the people doing the work.
How I'm Investing for My Daughter as a Union Electrician
I grew up in a very small Appalachian town where nobody talked about investing. Now I'm a new dad and a union electrician, and I'm sharing how I started investing for my daughter's future. If you work in the trades, you know you're beating up your body. We have to take care of ourselves and our families, in retirement and for the next generation.I opened a UTMA (Uniform Transfers to Minors account) through Fidelity in about 10 minutes. I'm putting in $50–$100 a week, mostly into the VTI ETF. In this video I also explain how a UTMA differs from a 529, what ETFs, stocks and mutual funds are, and why I believe boring is beautiful for long-term investing. Plenty of tradespeople earning $100K–$200K+ still live paycheck to paycheck. Even $5 a week adds up with compound interest.I'm not a financial advisor. This is for entertainment and education only, so always do your own research.#BlueCollar #SkilledTrades #InvestingForKids #UTMA #ETF
31 Aug 2026
How to Join the IBEW Apprenticeship: Step-by-Step Guide From an IBEW Journeyman
Want to join the IBEW but don’t know where to start?
In this video, I break down the IBEW apprenticeship process from start to finish — finding your local, applying, submitting transcripts, taking the aptitude test, interviewing, getting ranked, and ultimately getting the call to go to work.
I started non-union, entered the IBEW as a CW, completed the apprenticeship, became a journeyman, and eventually worked my way into foreman and superintendent roles. This is the process explained from someone who’s actually been through it.
Every IBEW local operates a little differently, so always verify the specific requirements with the local in your area.
If you’re considering a career as a union electrician, start here.
#IBEW #Electrician #IBEWApprenticeship #SkilledTrades #UnionElectrician
15 Jul 2026
NECA CEO David Long Reveals the Future of the Electrical Trades
The electrical industry is changing faster than ever—and AI is becoming part of that future.In this episode of Spark The Trade, Noah sits down with David Long, CEO of NECA, to discuss how artificial intelligence, digital training, and emerging technologies are reshaping electrical construction, apprenticeship programs, and the future of the skilled trades.
From AI-powered troubleshooting to the next generation of workforce development, this conversation explores what contractors, electricians, apprentices, and industry leaders should be paying attention to as technology continues to evolve.
In this episode:
How AI is changing the electrical industry
Why technology is creating new opportunities for skilled trades
The future of apprenticeship and workforce training
How NECA is preparing contractors for what's next
The importance of labor-management collaboration
What electricians can do today to stay ahead of industry changes
Whether you're an apprentice, journeyman, contractor, or simply interested in where construction is headed, this episode offers an inside look at one of the biggest shifts the industry has seen in decades.If you enjoyed this conversation, don't forget to like, subscribe, and share it with someone in the electrical industry.
#NECA #ElectricalTrades #Electricians #AI #Construction #SkilledTrades #Apprenticeship #ConstructionTechnology #WorkforceDevelopment #SparkTheTrade
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