{"podcast":{"title":"The Lost Art Of the Skilled Trades","slug":"the-lost-art-of-the-skilled-trades-6923648","podcast_index_feed_id":6923648,"rss_url":"https://feeds.captivate.fm/the-lost-art-of-skilled-trades/","website_url":"https://www.andrewbrown.net","image_url":"https://artwork.captivate.fm/646c90b5-c725-4a9f-b15c-452ed30769ee/Cover-TLAOST-3.jpg","author":"Andrew Brown","episode_count":98,"summary":"Welcome to The Lost Art of the Skilled Trades, the ultimate podcast dedicated to celebrating and exploring the world of skilled trades. Hosted by Andrew Brown, a passionate advocate for the trades industry, this podcast is your go-to source for knowledge, inspiration, and practical advice. Andrew brings a unique perspective shaped by years of hands-on experience, entrepreneurial success, and a deep commitment to elevating the trades. Dive into the fascinating and ever-evolving world of skilled trades, where creativity, problem-solving, and dedication come together to build the world around us. From carpentry and HVAC systems to electricians, plumbers, millwrights, and beyond, every episode uncovers the grit, determination, and artistry that define the people behind these essential professions. Andrew’s journey began with a life-changing moment on September 11, 2001, when he worked alongside tradespeople, first responders, and community helpers at Ground Zero. This experience inspired him to dedicate his life to advocating for the unsung heroes of the trades. Through his company, Andrew has helped provide tools, equipment, and resources to industry professionals worldwide. Now, thr…","last_synced_at":"2026-07-01T10:20:44.576717+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-lost-art-of-the-skilled-trades-6923648"},"episode":{"title":"Aircraft Mechanics Are in Massive Demand—Why Aren't More People Entering the Industry? | Bret Oestreich, AMFA","slug":"aircraft-mechanics-are-in-massive-demand-why-aren-t-more-people-entering-the-industry-bret-oestreich-amfa","published_at":"2026-06-16T23:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-lost-art-of-the-skilled-trades-6923648/aircraft-mechanics-are-in-massive-demand-why-aren-t-more-people-entering-the-industry-bret-oestreich-amfa","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-lost-art-of-the-skilled-trades-6923648","url":"https://the-lost-art-of-skilled-trades.captivate.fm/episode/aircraft-mechanics-are-in-massive-demandwhy-arent-more-people-entering-the-industry-brett-oestreich-amfa","audio_url":"https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/575bdcb8-d04d-410f-af94-59c6f3395d39.mp3","summary":"Aircraft maintenance technician Bret Oestreich on signing off 250 lives every night shift — and why aviation's most essential trade stays hidden. Every time you board a plane, someone signed their name to a document saying that aircraft is airworthy. That person is an Aircraft Maintenance Technician — and most passengers never see them, never think about them, and never know they exist. Bret Oestreich, National President of AMFA (Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association), has spent decades inside this world. He started on C-130s in the Air Force, earned his A&P license and pilot's license simultaneously, and worked his way from general aviation to American Airlines to Southwest Airlines before leading one of the most important independent unions in aviation. AMFA represents over 7,500 AMTs across the United States and Canada — and Bret is sounding the alarm: the pipeline of new technicians is not keeping up with retirements, only 8% of military veterans with relevant experience are transitioning into civilian aviation maintenance, and women represent just 2.8% of the AMT workforce. Meanwhile, the job demands more than most people realize — technical knowledge, soft skills, and the integrity to do the right thing at 3am when nobody's watching. If you're a young person who's never heard of this career, a veteran unsure how to translate your skills, or anyone who wants to understand what it actually takes to keep planes flying — this episode is for you. IN THIS EPISODE (00:00) – The Invisible Workforce: Why aircraft maintenance technicians are the most essential people on the tarmac that nobody ever sees — and why that invisibility is the industry's biggest recruitment problem. (01:00) – Soft Skills vs. Tech Skills: What Bret says new AMTs are most unprepared for, why…","meta_description":"Aircraft maintenance technician Bret Oestreich on signing off 250 lives every night shift — and why aviation's most essential trade stays hidden. Every ti…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":2477,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-lost-art-of-the-skilled-trades-6923648/episodes/aircraft-mechanics-are-in-massive-demand-why-aren-t-more-people-entering-the-industry-bret-oestreich-amfa/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-lost-art-of-the-skilled-trades-6923648/aircraft-mechanics-are-in-massive-demand-why-aren-t-more-people-entering-the-industry-bret-oestreich-amfa.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}