Spanky The Sparky

Construction processes must evolve. Asking RETIREES to come back is a bandaid to a huge laceration. #construction #management #trades

A man of many talents and accolades. From IBEW journeyman, to superintendent, to farm owner, to businessman…the list goes on. Lady’s and gents — Episode 4 of Spark The Trade with Josh Nieves Episode 4: Spark the Trade with Josh Nieves https://lnkd.in/ehsJjw9p

Short snippet of my interview with Josh Nieves — proud IBEW member out of IBEW local 3. A long list of accolades and a pioneer in the construction trade work force. Being authentic in the union trades is imperative. It’s a dog eat dog world. Full video dropping soon. #bluecollar #union #construction #ibew #constructiontrades

This isn’t a political post. It’s about social media — and how far behind the trades are. Whether you like him or not, Donald Trump’s campaigns proved one thing very clearly: social media is powerful when it’s used correctly. Direct communication. Constant visibility. Meeting people where they already spend their time. Now look at the trades. Recruitment still relies on paper applications, outdated websites, job boards no one checks, and flyers taped to job trailers. Contractors still advertise like it’s 2005. Unions still assume people will somehow find them. Meanwhile, the next generation lives on their phones. They discover careers, companies, and opportunities through social media every single day. This isn’t about ideology. It’s about attention and relevance. If political campaigns can reach millions, shape narratives, and mobilize people online, there’s no reason the trades — one of the most stable and well-paid career paths out there — should be struggling to get in front of people. The audience is already there. The tools already exist. The approach just needs to catch up. #SkilledTrades #Construction #Trades #WorkforceDevelopment #BlueCollar #Recruitment #SocialMedia #FutureOfWork

I started Spanky The Sparky on December 9th, 2024 without really knowing what it would turn into. Just over a year later, it’s grown to more than 145,000 followers across all platforms, over 400 million total views, and—more importantly—has helped hundreds of people better understand and navigate the skilled trades. I recently launched the Spark the Trade Podcast, where I sit down with people from all sides of the industry—from boots-on-the-ground tradespeople to those making an impact outside the field—to share real stories, real paths, and real insight into the trades. I strongly believe education doesn’t have to be boring. Mixing comedy with transparency and honest conversations has proven to be an effective way to reach people who are genuinely curious about trade careers. Love the approach or hate it, Spanky The Sparky is reaching and engaging more people interested in the trades than many pages combined. Welcome to Spanky The Sparky. Looking forward to what’s next. Check out all Spanky The Sparky links: https://lnkd.in/eBgcChfJ #SpankyTheSparky #SparkTheTrade #SkilledTrades #UnionTrades #TradeLife #BlueCollar #ConstructionCareers #TradeCareers #Apprenticeship #WorkforceDevelopment #CareersWithoutCollege #AlternativeCareers #ConstructionIndustry #Electricians #IBEW #BuildingAmerica #Infrastructure #NextGeneration #TradePodcast #ConstructionPodcast #RealTalk #TradesEducation — Noah Spanky The Sparky

I took a non-traditional path into the trades — starting in college before entering the electrical industry. I’ve worked my way through the field as an apprentice, journeyman, and foreman, and today I serve as an electrical superintendent on large commercial and mission-critical projects. I started building this platform in December 2024 to share real jobsite experience, pay transparency, and honest conversations around the union trades and construction careers. In just over a month, the content has reached over 400 million views and grown to 145,000+ followers and counting across all platforms. This page will be home to: • Skilled trades education • Union career pathways • Real talk from the jobsite • Clips and conversations from the Spark the Trades podcast If you’re in the trades, thinking about entering them, or involved in workforce development — you’re in the right place.  Follow the page to stay connected and help spread accurate information about careers in the union trades.