Latest news with #mikeroweWORKSFoundation
Forbes
a day ago
- Business
- Forbes
Mike Rowe And PureTalk Team Up On Trades For America's Military Vets
Mike Rowe's new skilled trades partnership is a logical next step in his tireless advocacy for trades careers. Last month the former host of the long-running show 'Dirty Jobs' and CEO of his own trades non-profit, the mikeroweWORKS Foundation, announced a partnership with veteran-run Covington, Georgia-based wireless provider PureTalk to promote skilled trades among America's military vets. Why veterans? 'Because they've got the soft skills down,' Rowe told me on my Manufacturing Talks Web Show and Podcast yesterday. 'They're going to show up on time. They're going to stay late if need be. They'll tuck their shirt in. You know, you don't have to worry about so many of the things that employers struggle with beyond the skill itself. They're teachable by and large. But of course, more than that, we kind of owe them, you know?' One practitioner with long experience with veterans and trades training couldn't agree more. Tony Lawrence is the program manager for another partnership in that world, the Academy for Advanced Manufacturing, through which Rockwell Automation and ManpowerGroup provide a free 12-week program in industrial automation for select military veterans. 'I've seen firsthand the extraordinary potential our U.S. veterans bring to the skilled trades,' he told me via email. 'Veterans possess a unique combination of discipline, leadership, and technical aptitude that aligns perfectly with the demands of advanced manufacturing and other high-skill industries. Yet, many transitioning service members face challenges translating their military experience into civilian credentials.' That's where Rowe and the leaders at PureTalk want to help. 'There ought to be a vet-friendly on-ramp into every business as far as I'm concerned, but especially the skilled trades,' said Rowe. The new partnership, which culminated in a $50,000 donation PureTalk made last year to Rowe's mikeroweWORKS Foundation, is something Rowe says developed over the past several years. 'PureTalk was a bit of a surprise, because you don't think of a wireless company as a skilled labor play, right?' he explained. 'But I do this podcast… called 'The Way I Heard It,' and we have all kinds of advertisers who like to come and I'm increasingly focused on only working with companies who make something in America, because I'm passionate about that, or who share my belief that closing the skills gap has become a matter of national security, and just through weird circumstances, these guys at PureTalk, they were advertising on my podcast. And I was in Georgia almost a year ago, and decided to drop in on them, you know, just to say hi and introduce myself. And I met the owner of the company, and I saw the fact that, you know, they've got this great campus down in Covington… They gave me the nickel tour and when I left, I said, 'Look, if there's anything I can ever do with you guys beyond this podcast relationship, let me know.' Like a week later, the owner made a very generous donation to my foundation, and I love that, you know, obviously. And then I look closer and what they're doing with our veterans—America's Warrior Partnership is an incredible foundation, and they're super supportive of that. I just like them.' According to PureTalk's leaders, that feeling is mutual. 'We're proud to partner with Mike Rowe, whose longstanding leadership in advocating for skilled labor and supporting veterans aligns perfectly with PureTalk's mission,' said William Curry, chief strategy officer at PureTalk's parent company Telrite Holdings, via email. 'It's been a great journey so far, from backing Mike's podcast, 'The Way I Heard It,' and the impactful work of the mikeroweWORKS Foundation, to now expanding our partnership to help veterans and hardworking Americans find the support and connection they deserve.' That approach rings true for Lawrence. 'That's where programs like ours step in—bridging the gap through intensive training, mentorship, and direct pathways to employment,' he said. 'By investing in our veterans and equipping them with 21st-century skills, we're not just filling a critical workforce gap—we're honoring their service with opportunity. Skilled trades are the backbone of our economy, and empowering veterans to lead in these fields is both a smart business strategy and a national imperative." For Rowe, it's also about just doing the right thing for those of our citizens who have sacrificed so much on our behalf. 'When I think about our vets... I think about what we do to prepare them for the fight,' he said. 'I think about boot camp and basic training. And we're pretty good at getting a citizen ready to be a war fighter, but we're not real good at getting a war fighter ready to transition back into polite society, right? We need a reverse boot camp of some kind, and I'm doing what I can to try and push that boulder up the hill too.'
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Mike Rowe warns of a ‘will gap' as millions of men abandon workforce — here's why
Concerns about a lack of job-ready skills have dominated workforce debates, but Mike Rowe, CEO of the mikeroweWORKS Foundation, is pointing to another crisis: a diminishing desire to work. 'The skills gap is real, but the will gap is also real,' said the 63-year-old former TV host in a recent interview with Fox Business. I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) Americans with upside-down car loans owe more money than ever before — and drivers can't keep up. Here are 3 ways to cut your monthly costs ASAP According to him, 6.8 million 'able-bodied men' are not just unemployed but not even seeking employment. 'That's never happened in peacetime,' he argued. Here's why he believes America's famous work ethic is gradually eroding. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that women's participation in the workforce has remained relatively stable since the early-1990s. However, men's participation has steadily declined, dropping from 86.6% in 1948 to 68% in 2024. According to the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC), the participation rate for men in their prime working years (ages of 25 to 54) has fallen from 98% in September 1954 to 89% in January 2024. Notably, 28% of these men said they were not working by choice, validating Rowe's claim that the desire for employment has diminished. However, the survey also found that 57% of prime-age men cite mental or physical health issues as barriers to working or job-seeking, suggesting that many are not as 'able-bodied' as Rowe assumes. Additionally, 47% of these men cite a lack of training and education, obsolete skills, or a lacklustre work history as major obstacles to employment. Fortunately, Rowe has a solution for this specific group. Read more: Are you rich enough to join the top 1%? Here's the net worth you need to rank among America's wealthiest — plus 2 ways to build that first-class portfolio Expanding opportunities for skills training could help bring some men back into the labor force. Through his foundation, Rowe has given away $8.5 million in scholarships since 2008, supporting more than 1,800 men and women enrolled in skilled trades programs across the country. 'My goal with mikeroweWORKS is not to help the maximum number of people,' he told Fox Business. 'It is to help a number of people who comport with our view of the world and are willing to go to where the work is. Who are willing to demonstrate something that looks a lot like work ethic here in 2025.' Similarly, the BPC calls for expanding Pell Grant eligibility so that more people can access financial aid. As of 2024, roughly 34% of undergraduate students receive a Pell Grant, according to the Education Data Initiative. Expanding workplace support programs could be key to reentering the workforce for men struggling with mental and physical health challenges. More than half of prime-age unemployed men surveyed by BPC said health insurance is a major factor in deciding whether to return to work. Other critical benefits include paid sick leave, disability accommodations, flexible schedules and medical leave. Additionally, 40% of respondents said mental health benefits are very important, and 28% said they might have stayed at their previous job if they had access to paid medical leave. While these solutions may be complex and expensive, improving male workforce participation could yield significant economic benefits, including lower inflation and higher growth, according to a 2023 study by the Center for American Progress. Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Protect your retirement savings with these 5 essential money moves — most of which you can complete in just minutes This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Sign in to access your portfolio
Fox News
03-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Mike Rowe: On Major Workforce Concerns and A.I. PLUS, Did President Zelenskyy Disrespect America In The Oval Office?
Story #1: Background, context, and the history that led to the explosive confrontation between President Zelenskyy, President Trump, and Vice President Vance in the Oval Office. Story #2: What jobs will survive Artificial Intelligence? Why don't men want to work anymore? A conversation with the CEO of the mikeroweWORKS Foundation, Mike Rowe. Story #3: Are The Oscars relevant anymore? And Bill Murray chats with Joe Rogan! A conversation with Will & The Crew. Tell Will what you thought about this podcast by emailing WillCainShow@ Subscribe to The Will Cain Show on YouTube here: Watch The Will Cain Show! Follow Will on Twitter: @WillCain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit
