Hector Resendez's Trade School Secrets - Relationship Marketing Podcast

Four Tips for Maximizing Trade School Opportunities:

1. Explore the WIOA Grant: Check if you qualify for the WIOA grant based on your employment status or assistance programs like food stamps and affordable housing. This grant can cover your entire tuition for short-term trade courses.
2. Choose High-Demand Fields: Focus on learning skills in high-demand fields such as Cybersecurity, HVAC, Electrical, Plumbing, and Coding. These areas have a higher likelihood of job placement and long-term career growth.
3. Utilize Upskilling Programs: Take advantage of the WIOA grant's upskilling programs that allow employers to hire you and have your salary covered for the first 90 days. This provides you with hands-on experience and a chance to prove your capabilities.
4. Leverage Online Learning: Consider online trade schools for their flexibility and accelerated learning schedules. Online programs like those offered by National Trade Institute allow you to start classes every Monday and complete courses at your own pace.

Introduction

Hey, how's it going, everyone? Welcome to the Relationship Marketing Podcast! Today, I'm excited to share insights from my conversation with Hector Resendez. Hector and I connected on X (formerly Twitter), and he has some incredible information about helping people access a little-known grant and starting a unique trade school. Let's dive in!

Hector Resendez is on a mission to help people access the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) grant. This grant is almost like a well-kept secret—many people haven't heard of it, yet it has the power to change lives significantly. Hector, who owns the National Trade Institute, is not only running a successful business but also dedicating his efforts to giving back to the community. He's promoting his guide, Trade School Secrets, which simplifies the process of obtaining this grant.

Hector's Journey: From South Texas to Trade School Innovator

Hector's story is pretty inspiring. He describes himself as an average person from South Texas who accidentally started an online trade school. This isn't your typical trade school—it's 100% online, and they start classes every Monday, avoiding the traditional semester-based system. This flexibility has allowed them to reach more students and grow rapidly.

What's truly remarkable is how Hector scaled his school to over $2.4 million in its second year, largely thanks to the WIOA grant. He’s now paying it forward by making the complicated process of accessing this grant simple for others. His guide walks you through everything you need to know to get the grant—where to go, what to say, and what to write.

Key Points:

• Hector's online trade school offers classes starting every Monday.
• The WIOA grant helped his school reach $2.4 million in the second year.
• Trade School Secrets guide simplifies the process of obtaining the WIOA grant.

Understanding the WIOA Grant

Hector explained that the WIOA grant is a lifeline for many people. If you're unemployed, on food stamps, government assistance, or in affordable housing, you might qualify for this grant. It can pay for you to attend a trade school and learn a new skill set in high-demand fields like Pharmacy Technician, Cybersecurity, HVAC, Electrical, Plumbing, or Coding.

The idea is that once you acquire these new skills, you'll start working and paying taxes, which benefits the government in the long run. Essentially, the government is investing in you to help you become self-sufficient and contribute to the economy.

Quick Tips on WIOA:

• Check if you qualify based on your employment status and assistance programs.
• The grant covers tuition for short-term trade courses.
• High-demand fields include Cybersecurity, HVAC, Electrical, Plumbing, and more.

Upskilling and Job Placement Programs

One of the most interesting parts of our conversation was about how the WIOA grant also includes programs to help employers. For example, if a small business hires someone who has completed a trade course, the grant can cover the new hire's salary for the first three months. This is like a test drive for both the employer and the employee, providing real hands-on experience.

Hector shared how this aspect of the grant has been a game-changer. It allows employers to evaluate new hires without financial risk and helps employees gain practical experience and build their resumes.

Employer Benefits:

• The grant can cover a new hire's salary for the first 90 days.
• Employers get to evaluate potential long-term employees without financial risk.
• Employees gain valuable hands-on experience.

The Birth of National Trade Institute

Hector's journey to founding the National Trade Institute is a fascinating one. Before the pandemic, he was a VP at a financial settlement company, making a comfortable salary but feeling trapped. When COVID-19 hit, he saw an opportunity to start an online trade school, leveraging the WIOA grant.

He began by reaching out to various organizations, offering free online courses and even providing laptops to overcome technological barriers. His approach paid off, and the school now has about 370 students with an impressive 82% completion rate. Hector's innovative use of technology and partnerships has allowed him to help many people while running a lean operation.

Highlights:

• National Trade Institute started just before COVID-19.
• Hector offered free courses and laptops to overcome barriers.
• The school boasts a high completion rate of 82%.

Conclusion: Paying It Forward

Hector’s ultimate goal is to help 1,000 people access the WIOA grant. So far, he's helped around 500, but he’s determined to reach his target. He encourages anyone interested in learning a trade or hiring skilled employees to explore the opportunities provided by the WIOA grant.

For those in Texas, Hector’s school, National Trade Institute, offers several trade courses, including HVAC, Electrical, and Plumbing. If you're outside Texas, he suggests Googling "WIOA grant near me" to find local opportunities.

Final Thoughts:

• Hector aims to help 1,000 people access the WIOA grant.
• National Trade Institute offers trade courses primarily in Texas.
• Search for local WIOA grant opportunities if you’re in a different state.

If you’re looking for a new career path, are unemployed, or want to learn a trade, Hector’s story and the resources he offers could be a game-changer. Check out Trade School Secrets for a step-by-step guide to accessing the WIOA grant, and start your journey towards a new skill and a brighter future.