EPISODE · Nov 10, 2025 · 58 MIN
Ep. 13 - Dr. Joey Shorter and The Workforce Transformation Inside Atlanta’s Schools
from On the Fringe · host Anne Larson
In this episode, we sit down with Joey Shorter, Executive Director of the Atlanta Chapter NECA, to explore how Atlanta is redefining workforce development in the electrical industry. For 25 years, NECA Atlanta has been inside classrooms – from elementary to high school – showing that electrical work isn’t just a job, but a career. With dedicated outreach across dozens of schools and an apprenticeship program, they’ve built a talent pipeline that combines hands-on training, military recruitment, and peer learning to increase retention and attract younger, more diverse talent. Joey, an educator at heart, reveals how early exposure and real-world skills are transforming futures and the industry. Tune in to this episode as we explore: (04:52) Electrical contractors bridging industry gaps (08:36) Earn while you learn (10:53) Education limitations and online learning (13:59) Generations working in construction (18:11) Career paths beyond college (22:03) Teaching love for learning (29:44) Electrical trade apprenticeship journey (32:06) Promoting electrical trade education (39:48) Successful hiring and succession strategy (42:22) Replacing great people is hard (47:09) Evolving tools, skills and industry (49:57) Tech enhancing field worker safety (52:41) Contractors driving workforce transformation (55:52) End users: employers and colleges Links mentioned in the episode: Joey Shorter on LinkedIn Atlanta Chapter NECA Have feedback or guest ideas? Email us at [email protected] Learn more at www.eprlive.com
What this episode covers
In this episode, we sit down with Joey Shorter, Executive Director of the Atlanta Chapter NECA, to explore how Atlanta is redefining workforce development in the electrical industry. For 25 years, NECA Atlanta has been inside classrooms – from elementary to high school – showing that electrical work isn’t just a job, but a career. With dedicated outreach across dozens of schools and an apprenticeship program, they’ve built a talent pipeline that combines hands-on training, military recruitment, and peer learning to increase retention and attract younger, more diverse talent. Joey, an educator at heart, reveals how early exposure and real-world skills are transforming futures and the industry. Tune in to this episode as we explore: (04:52) Electrical contractors bridging industry gaps (08:36) Earn while you learn (10:53) Education limitations and online learning (13:59) Generations working in construction (18:11) Career paths beyond college (22:03) Teaching love for learning (29:44) Electrical trade apprenticeship journey (32:06) Promoting electrical trade education (39:48) Successful hiring and succession strategy (42:22) Replacing great people is hard (47:09) Evolving tools, skills and industry (49:57) Tech enhancing field worker safety (52:41) Contractors driving workforce transformation (55:52) End users: employers and colleges Links mentioned in the episode: Joey Shorter on LinkedIn Atlanta Chapter NECA Have feedback or guest ideas? Email us at [email protected] Learn more at www.eprlive.com
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Ep. 13 - Dr. Joey Shorter and The Workforce Transformation Inside Atlanta’s Schools
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