TWI485-The Skilled Trades Crisis Nobody Talks About Josh Smith 485 The Way I Heard It - The Way I Heard it With Mike Rowe

Mike Rowe sits down with Josh Smith of Montana Knife Company to discuss a troubling trend: the decline of manufacturing jobs in America. With an alarming drop from 19 million jobs in 1979 to just 12 million today, this conversation shines a light on the urgent need for skilled tradespeople—especially machinists. As Josh recounts his journey from a garage entrepreneur during COVID-19 to leading a thriving 121-employee operation, he illustrates how the American Dream is still alive and well, albeit in unexpected places. This episode dives into the challenges facing fledgling businesses, highlighting apprenticeships as a vital lifeline in a time of crisis. Josh shares his wins and losses, from scaling production to finding skilled labor that can operate advanced machinery like Swiss lathes. He reflects on what it truly means to build a business in Missoula, a town not known for manufacturing, emphasizing the importance of community support. With insights touching on tariffs and the political landscape affecting American manufacturing, this episode compels listeners to rethink the narrative. Josh's story is not just about knives; it embodies a larger movement toward reinvigorating American manufacturing and the urgency of reestablishing apprenticeship programs. Here, Rowe explores the intersection of entrepreneurship, personal struggle, and collective aspiration, encouraging a renewed focus on the skilled trades that are essential to the fabric of the nation. The conversation leaves listeners motivated to reconsider their own roles in sustaining America’s manufacturing legacy, stimulating thought about how each of us can contribute to a brighter future in skilled trades.

Categories: Entertainment