Two paths, one mission, and a system quietly transforming lives across Nevada. In this episode of the Workforce Connections Podcast, Nevada Labor Commissioner Brett Harris and Apprenticeship Council Director Toni Giddens reveal how registered apprenticeships are opening doors to high-paying careers without debt. It’s a powerful look at how earning while learning is reshaping the future of work. 

Apprenticeship Week No-Debt Career Fair (April 28 & May 1):
https://labor.nv.gov/Apprenticeship_Council/No_Debt_Career_Fair/

Nevada Labor Commissioner’s Office:
https://labor.nv.gov/

Dr. Amber Lopez Lasater, interim president of Nevada State University, leads a powerful story shaped by service, education, and a defining moment for Nevada’s future. In this episode of the Workforce Connections Podcast, she shares how her journey through public service, labor, and higher education led her to one of Southern Nevada’s fastest-growing institutions. She highlights efforts to expand access, strengthen workforce pipelines, launch Nevada State’s first-ever athletics program, and build a new North Las Vegas campus, showing how saying yes, showing up, and staying curious can transform both a career and a community.

Nevada State University:
https://nevadastate.edu/

Nevada State Athletics:
https://nevadastate.edu/athletics

In the final episode ever recorded in the original WC studio, host Jaime Cruz sits down with entrepreneur Jason Briggs, who went from a garage in Chino to building and selling multimillion-dollar companies. Their conversation unfolds like a real-life comeback story as Jason reveals how raw talent, relentless drive, and a deep shift in purpose carried him from a young technician to a leader shaping the future of AI and mental wellness. It is a gripping look at transformation, ambition, and the power of choosing who you want to become.

ControlWorks BAS:
ControlWorks

Tamara Atkinson, President and CEO of Workforce Solutions Capital Area, joins the show to talk about her upbringing in North Texas and what lead her to a fulfilling career in workforce development for the last 20 years. She discusses the benefits of having childcare assistance funds in the American Job Centers supporting the community in getting back to work. She highlights her new role as president of the Workforce Development Council and the priorities that she has made to grow and improve workforce development.

Workforce Solutions Capital Area:
Workforce Solutions Capital Area — Connecting People to Jobs (wfscapitalarea.com)

Kevin Schiller, Clark County Manager, joins the show to talk about his journey to his current role as the County Manager. He discusses his passion for serving people and the innovation and evolution of workforce development. He highlights the myriad of job opportunities in various occupations available to the community in Clark County.

 Clark County:
Employment (clarkcountynv.gov)

Kerry Bubolz, President of the Golden Knights, joins the show today to discuss his career journey to Las Vegas in sports. He talks about the growth of professional sports in Las Vegas and how they are the “golden thread” that unites our community. 

Las Vegas Golden Knights:
Official Vegas Golden Knights Website | NHL.com

John Cannito, President at The PENTA Building Group, joins the show today to share his journey in construction from Buffalo, New York, to Las Vegas, Nevada, where he calls home. He talks about his contributions to various organizations as a board member and how the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance (LVGEA) is working to mitigate the labor shortages in the construction industry in the Las Vegas Valley.

 The Penta Building Group:
PENTA Building Group | General Contractor | Nevada, California, Arizona (pentabldggroup.com)

PENTA C.A.R.E.S.:
PENTA Cares Foundation

Mike Barton, Chief College, Career, and Equity Officer at Clark County School District, joins the show to discuss his journey from teacher to his current role.  Mr. Barton discusses his passions: spending time with family and friends, enjoying live music, and hunting for treasures at antique and second-hand stores.  He shares how the partnership and creative collaboration with Workforce Connections intertwine workforce development within the CCSD School district to provide students with future career opportunities. 

Clark County School District:
Clark County School District (ccsd.net)

Mike Olson, President, of Olson Precast Company, and Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance (LVGEA) Board member, joins the show to talk about the impact his father made with his business and bringing it to Las Vegas. He highlights his 24-year coaching passion for youth football and the impact he wants for the future of the Las Vegas Valley as a member of the LVGEA.

Olson Precast Company:
Olson Precast Company

Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance (LVGEA):
LVGEA - Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance

Special guest host Ricardo Villalobos, Ph.D., Chief Program Officer at Workforce Connections, welcomes Manny Lamarre, Senior Advisor for the Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Division. Mr. Lamarre talks about how his current role focuses on the resources surrounding registered apprenticeships at the national level. He also discusses how equity, job quality, partnerships, and awareness are essential in thriving registered apprenticeship programs that will add to the workforce.

US Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship

 US Department of Labor announces Apprenticeship Building America program, $113M in available funds to strengthen, modernize Registered Apprenticeships | U.S. Department of Labor (dol.gov)

Grant Opportunities:
www.dol.gov/grants

Special guest host Irene Bustamante Adams, Deputy Director at Workforce Connections,  welcomes Amelia Gulling, founder of GSD Consulting Pros LLC. She talks about her work with workforce development and environmental sustainability. She discusses the challenges women face in STEM and the intricacies of robotic competition.

  Battle for Las Vegas Robotic Competition:
www.b4lv.com

 Solar Rollers:
https://www.solarrollers.org/

Angela Castro, Deputy Chief Executive Officer for the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC), joins the show to talk about her career journey in Las Vegas that has led her to the mentors she has had the privilege to work with who have influenced her management style. She talks about the new campaign with Workforce Connection that focuses on youth ages 16-24 who are out of school and providing opportunities for education and employment pathways.
 
 Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC):
RTC Southern Nevada – Home (rtcsnv.com)

Tom Burns, Director of the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED), and Clark Wood, Chair of the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance (LVGEA), join the show to talk about their roots in Nevada, the lifelong friendships they built while attending the University of Nevada, Reno, and how their careers have grown in Nevada. They discuss the newly formed Industry Sector Partnerships that focus on building deeper relationships between industry and education to identify skill and talent pipeline gaps and use resources to solve them.

Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED):
 Homepage - Nevada Governor's Office of Economic Development (nv.gov)
 
 

Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance (LGVEA):
 LVGEA - Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance

Industry Sector Partnerships:
 Industry Sector Partnerships | Workforce Connections (nvworkforceconnections.org)

Superintendent Jhone Ebert has led education systems from Nevada to New York and now oversees 300,000 students in the nation’s fifth-largest school district. She joins the WC Podcast to share the journey that shaped her and the vision she is driving at the Clark County School District. This episode uncovers the moments, challenges, and decisions behind one of the most influential roles in public education. 

Clark County School District:
 https://ccsd.net

Walter Simmons, President, and Chief Executive Officer at Employ Prince George’s, joins the show to discuss the three P’s, Practice Proven Principals. He also talks about the impact of being an Economic Equity Officer to ensure jobseekers obtain a livable wage careers and businesses thrive in a global market and utilizing untraditional space to meet the people where they are to increase their access to achieve economic success. Mr. Simmons highlights Seven on Seven, an innovative way to share workforce development best practices hosted by Center for Workforce Excellence International held monthly.

Employ Prince George’s:
Home - Employ Prince George's Incorporated (employpg.org)

Center for Workforce Excellence International:
Center for Workforce Excellence International (cweinternational.com)

Commissioner Jim Gibson, former mayor of Henderson and County Commission Chair, highlights his journey in politics in Southern Nevada. He talks about the new EmployNV Career Hub at the Whitney Center which will provide workforce development opportunities and resources to the Clark County community. He also discusses the new podcast that Clark County has released in Spanish and the big new events that are coming to Las Vegas.

Whitney Community Center: https://www.clarkcountynv.gov/government/departments/parks___recreation/facilities/whitney_recreation_center.php

Jack Bennings shares his life in retirement. He also talks about his previous position as a Director of Workforce Development with Career Source Broward, to support the economic development activities with the Great Fort Lauderdale Economic Alliance in South Florida. His position inspired two similar positions in the Southern Nevada region located at the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance (LVGEA) and at the Vegas Chamber.

Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance (LVGEA):
LVGEA - Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance

Vegas Chamber:
Vegas Chamber - Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce

Special Guest Host Celia Rouse from Workforce Connections welcomes Chad Gregorius, Counselor Specialist with the Clark County School District, and Eboni Hodge, High School Counselor at Legacy High School. They share their experience participating in the first Workforce Fellows Program and what they've learned leading into the start of the third Workforce Fellows program.

Clark County School District (CCSD):
Clark County School District (ccsd.net)

Brooke Malone, Vice President of Investor Relations with Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance (LVGEA), shares how she started her career as a fundraiser at 19, which has led to her current role. She talks about the importance of workforce development, its impact on successful economic growth, and the exciting events LVGEA will host in 2023.

Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance (LVGEA):
LVGEA - Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance

Special guest host Ceia Rouse from Workforce Connections welcomes guests Hannah Tester, Lead Case Manager for Eagle Quest, and Carlos Vides, Juvenile Probation Officer with the Nevada Juvenile Justice Services. They talk about their experience in the inaugural cohort of the Promise Fellows and discuss the importance of providing youth with workforce development resources.

Eagle Quest:
Eagle Quest – Providing Quality Behavioral Healthcare (eaglequestservices.org)

Juvenile Justice Services:
JJS (nv.gov)

Chef Jeff Henderson, the founder of the Chef Jeff Project, discusses his journey from incarceration to his career as a successful chef and mentor. He also talks about his passion project, The Chef Jeff Project, which has positively influenced system-impacted youth in the Las Vegas Valley. 

Chef Jeff Project:
HOME | Chefjeffproject (thechefjeffproject.org)

Robbie DeBuff and Malik M.L. Williams, Project Coordinators at Workforce Connections, discuss their journey into workforce development.  They highlight the new Industry Sector Partnerships in Southern Nevada and the upcoming job fairs designed around them.

Employ NV Business Hub:

https://employnvbusinesshub.org/

Marchele Sneed, Employment Security Division Manager, and Ben Daseler, Program Specialist with Nevada Department of Employment, Training, and Rehabilitation (DETR), talk about the new EmployNV Business Hub and the five locations across Clark County valley. They are designed to serve small or large businesses as their one-stop shop for employment needs at no cost. 

Elisa Cafferata, Director of Nevada’s Department of Training, Employment, and Rehabilitation (DETR) discusses talks about the partnership with Workforce Connections and the growing collaboration with the EmployNV Business Hub located at Sahara West Library, focused on assisting employers and people with disabilities in the southern Nevada region, as well as with the Clark County School District (CCSD) with the Behavior Schools which will provide the opportunity to students to learn transferrable.

Department of Training, Employment, and Rehabilitation (DETR):
Home - Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (nv.gov)

EmployNV Business Hub:
Employ NV Business Hub | Website

 In this episode of the Workforce Connections podcast, Mark and Samantha Steele are the powerhouse siblings behind The Blooming Bistro and the Restaurant Hospitality Institute. Their mission is to transform lives in Las Vegas through hospitality, hope, and opportunity for at-risk youth and adults. 

The Blooming Bistro
https://www.thebloomingbistro.com/

Restaurant Hospitality Institute
https://rhinstitute.com/

Special guest host Ricardo Villalobos, PhD., Chief Programming Officer with Workforce Connections, welcomes his guest, Mike Yoder, Workforce Development Manager with the Department of Health, and Human Services (DHSS), Division of Welfare and Supportive Services (DWSS). Mike talks about his growth with DWSS and his passion for assisting people to reach their goals. He also discusses the significance of the partnerships that DWSS has with Workforce Connections and community partners that create opportunities that assist and benefit the community.

Department of Welfare Supportive Services:
https://dwss.nv.gov/

Dale Erquiaga, Acting Chancellor of the Nevada System for Higher Education, talks about the fascinating career history in education and government that has led him to his new role. He also discusses his passion for making education available to Nevadans in all modalities.
 
 Nevada System for Higher Education (NSHE):
NSHE (nevada.edu)

 Dale Erquiaga’s Contact Information:
chancellor@nevada.edu

Derek Parent from Movement Mortgage discusses his journey to Las Vegas and his podcast career. He also talks about Movement Mortgage's contribution to the Las Vegas Community through various business and philanthropic ventures and the Vegas Chamber DC Fly-In Event.

 Movement Fitness
https://movementfitnesslv.com/

 Movement Mortgage
https://movement.com/

Derek Parent’s Contact Information:
Home - The Parent Team of USA Mortgage (derekparentteam.com)
702.354.1400

For Employers:
Connecting Employers to a Ready Workforce | Workforce Connections (nvworkforceconnections.org)

Special guest host Malik Williams welcomes his guests, Yvette Bayless, Project Director for the One-Stop Career Center, and Joe McClintock, Business Services Manager for the Employ NV Business Hub. They discuss their transition to Las Vegas from New Mexico. They highlight their journey and passion for workforce development and all of the services available to the community and businesses in Southern Nevada.

 One-Stop Career Center:
https://www.nvcareercenter.org/

 
Employ NV Business Hub:
https://employnvbusinesshub.org/

Lisa Levine, executive director of the Governor’s Office of Workforce Innovation (GOWIN) discusses her career trajectory to her current role as executive director. The innovative partnerships with Workforce Connections, CSN, and other community partners for the SANDI Grant, a federal grant from the Department of Education, provide opportunities for training in specific occupations for the Southern Nevada region.

Governor’s Office of Workforce Innovation (GOWIN):
 https://owinn.nv.gov/

Lisa Levine's Contact Information:
 Email: l-levine@detr.nv.gov

Dave and Monica Pappas are the founders and owners of Fingerprinting Express. They discuss the concept of "Culture to Care" and the services they provide in their locations in Northern and Southern Nevada. They also discuss the importance of upskilling their employees. 

Fingerprinting Express:
 https://www.fingerprintingexpress.com/

For more information on how to upskill your employees, please email:
 upskill@detr.nv.gov

Bo Bernhard, PhD., talks about the Harry Reid Tech Research and Technology Park, which houses the innovative Black Fire Innovation Centre. It is designed to convene multiple partners to drive, foster, and execute technologies that are making the hospitality sector better, like the Purlin Bed Sheets that do not use water to be cleaned. Dr. Bernhard also discusses the Fun Economy being contributed by the diversification of events happening in Las Vegas.

 Black Fire Innovation Center:
 https://www.blackfireinnovation.com/ 

TED Talk:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nPuuasxLgI 

NLV Harry Reid Tech Park:
https://www.unlv.edu/econdev/research-technology-park

Lisa Patt McDaniel, CEO of the Workforce Development Board of Central Ohio visits Workforce Connections. She shares her perspectives on high-performing workforce boards across the country and the labor market post-pandemic.

Workforce Development Board of Central Ohio:
Workforce Development (wdbco.org)

Guest host, Shawonda Nance, Program Manager at Workforce Connections welcomes Neosha Smith, Program Director, and John Kirtley, Program Coordinator/Trainer WIOA Program from Youth Advocate Programs, Inc. (YAP). They discuss their work with justice-involved youth, including the model’s success and recidivism rate. 

Youth Advocate Program. Inc. (YAP):

YAP Home (yapinc.org)

Guest host Robbie DeBuff, Project Coordinator at Workforce Connections welcomes Forrest Lewis, Director of the North Las Vegas Library District. They discuss the partnership between both agencies and the positive impact for jobseekers and businesses through increased access to American Job Centers in North Las Vegas. 

North Las Vegas Library:

http://www.cityofnorthlasvegas.com/departments/library/index.php

Small Business Connector:

http://www.cityofnorthlasvegas.com/departments/city_manager/nlv_small_business_connector.php

In this episode of the Workforce Connections Podcast, University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) President Dr. Chris Heavey shares his inspiring journey from Chicago to Las Vegas and how he’s leading the charge to align higher education with Southern Nevada’s workforce needs. From groundbreaking programs in cybersecurity and healthcare to innovations that turn desert air into water, Dr. Heavey highlights how UNLV is driving the region’s growth and opportunity.

UNLV:
University of Nevada, Las Vegas |

Marcel Schaerer, Deputy Director of Nevada’s Department of Business and Industry, talks about “The Roadmap”, a resource tool on his agency’s website, which contains information on how to start a business in Nevada. Hear about the Small Business Resource Center, developed to coordinate efforts among partners that will provide counseling, training, and workshops to businesses.
 
 Nevada Department of Business and Industry:
 B&I (nv.gov)

Business Resource Center:
 Business Resource Center New (nv.gov)

Dr. Lonnie Wright shares his journey through UNLV basketball, higher education, and his passion for helping the re-entry population reach their potential. His Hospitality International Training (HIT) school has added a new workforce development initiative with the Jim Marsh Automotive Group. It aims to grow the pipeline of skilled mechanics in Southern Nevada. 

Hospitality International Training:
 HIT.academy – HIT Academy copyright 2022

Guest host Jeannie Kuennen, Program Manager at Workforce Connections, welcomes Stacy Smith, Executive Director of Nye Communities Coalition. They discuss the 20-year impact of workforce development programs offered through Nye Communities Coalition. Hear about initiatives helping communities thrive in Nye and Esmeralda counties.

Nye Communities Coalition:
 Nye Communities Coalition | NyECC | Pahrump, NV

Dr. DeRionne Pollard, President of Nevada State College discusses the new, exciting, and rapid growth of Nevada State College. This includes the new Glenn and Andy Christensen Education Building, which houses education programs. She highlights the importance of convening the talent development ecosystem and aligning it to our economic development efforts. 

Nevada State College:

Home | Nevada State College (nsc.edu)

 Keith Whitfield, President of the University of Nevada Las Vegas shares his professional journey in higher education and his vision for a sustainable workforce development pipeline in Southern Nevada.

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV):
University of Nevada, Las Vegas (unlv.edu)

Hugh Anderson, Managing Director at Hightower Las Vegas and member of the Workforce Connections Board and the Governor’s Workforce Development Board, discusses the importance of aligning state and local talent development.

Hightower Las Vegas:

Financial Advisors in Las Vegas, NV | Hightower Las Vegas

Guest host Mary Beth Sewald, Workforce Connections Board Member and President & CEO of the Vegas Chamber is joined by Michael Feder, Chair of the Vegas Chamber. They discuss the upcoming DC Fly-In, an exciting annual event in partnership with the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance.

Vegas Chamber:

Vegas Chamber - Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce

Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance:

LVGEA - Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance

Special guests, Adam and Felicia from the new Employ NV Youth Hub at the West Charleston discuss the grand opening happening on August 4th. They highlight resources available in the hub and share info on the multiple access points available for Youth to connect with resources and discover career pathways 

Employ NV Youth Hub:

Employ NV Youth Hub | Website

A new era is rising in Southern Nevada. When Danielle Casey, President and CEO of LVGEA, takes the mic, she reveals what it really takes to transform a region. From her climb through Arizona, California, and New Mexico to leading the charge in Las Vegas, Casey shares insider stories on power, progress, and the people building the economy of tomorrow. Get ready for strategy, vision, and a front-row look at how industries like Haas Automation are shaping Nevada’s next big chapter.

Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance (LVGEA):
https://lvgea.org/

Special guest host,  John “Jack” Martin, Director of the Department of Juvenile Justice Services, welcomes Dr. Tiffany Tyler-Garner, Executive Director at the Children’s Advocacy Alliance, to talk about her journey from childhood in a rural small town in Louisiana to growing up in South Central Los Angeles, California; how her role model pushed her to focus on her education and the impact that motherhood had her future; the benefits of hindsight and ah-ha moments that influenced her career; the incredible career path that Dr. Tyler-Garner has taken in Nevada; the effects of the pandemic  and the rise of cost on children and the impact on their futures; the mental health crisis in Nevada and the country; systematic barriers and hopelessness that affect children;  making the system work if the work is consistently done;  maximizing opportunities that are available to the community through workforce development; how to be effective as a workforce development board member with being informed, bringing more resources to the table, and call to action away from ego; the importance of investing in children; the ability to help people to upscale.

Children’s Advocacy Alliance:
 https://www.caanv.org/

Dr. Jesus Jara, Superintendent of Clark County School district and member of the Workforce Connections Board, talks about his experience representing the K-12 on the local workforce development board and convening the system to provide talent solutions for local businesses; how higher education is aligning with K-12 to strengthen the workforce pipeline; the importance of building bridges to employment opportunities for students; the success of the Career and Technical Academies (CTA) in Las Vegas and increasing their footprint for students to experience technical education; the new high school opening early August, that will use a multi-prong approach including English language learning, a career and technical academy, a One-Stop Career Center, and a health clinic with non-traditional hours; implementing technology like virtual reality augmentation that will help speed up the process of connecting students to the workforce; three new workforce development high schools that will align with local industry need; preparing the kids for a diversifying economy where some jobs are no longer available due to the pandemic and other jobs are appearing due to new technologies. 

Clark County School District:
 https://www.ccsd.net/

Tamara Atkinson, Chief Executive Officer, and Melanie Flowers, Chair of the Workforce Solutions Capital Area in Austin, Texas,  discuss what it means to be a high impact workforce development board; the importance of board members having a high level of engagement; earning the trust of the board members and the Local Elected Officials; how industry subject matter expertise can be applied to workforce development; understanding a community’s unique value proposition and how the job market impacts workforce development; how is business leading the manufacturing industry sector partnership in Austin; take-always from the best practices exchange between Workforce Solutions and Workforce Connections.

Workforce Solutions Capital Area:

Workforce Solutions Capital Area — Connecting People to Jobs (wfscapitalarea.com)