logo
episode-header-image
Jul 2025
19m 11s

Back to the Workshop: The Rise of Blue-C...

Skip Montreux, Dez Morgan & Samantha Vega | Business English Instructors
About this episode

Blue-collar jobs are making a comeback around the world. As white-collar office work loses some of its shine, skilled trades are attracting more people than ever before—with higher pay, job security, and newfound respect. But what’s driving this shift, and what challenges still face blue-collar workers today?

Skip Montreux and Samantha Vega dive into the rising popularity of blue-collar careers. They explore why young people are increasingly choosing trade roles over office jobs, how wages are changing, and what it all means for the global workforce.

Their conversation is a great learning resource if you want to build your English listening comprehension skills and expand your business vocabulary. Key points of their discussion include:

  1. The definition and origins of ‘blue-collar’ jobs.
  2. How attitudes toward skilled trades are changing.
  3. Why blue-collar jobs are attracting more workers.
  4. Factors behind the skilled trades shortage.


Do you like what you hear?

Become a D2B Member today for to access to our -- NEW!!!-- interactive audio scripts, PDF Audio Script Library, Bonus Vocabulary episodes, and D2B Member-only episodes.

Visit d2benglish.com/membership for more information.

Follow Down to Business English on Apple podcasts, rate the show, and leave a comment.

Contact Skip, Dez, and Samantha at

downtobusinessenglish@gmail.com

Follow Skip & Dez

Skip Montreux on Linkedin

Skip Montreux on Instagram

Skip Montreux on Twitter

Skip Montreux on Facebook

Dez Morgan on Twitter

RSS Feed

Up next
Oct 28
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam
Ethiopia’s Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is Africa’s biggest hydroelectric project. It is a great step forward for Ethiopia’s development, but it is also a source of conflict with Egypt and Sudan, which depend on the Nile River for almost all of their water. In this epis ... Show More
19m 8s
Sep 25
Image Washing
From rainbow logos during Pride Month to eco-friendly rebrands by oil giants, businesses often try to make themselves look more responsible than they really are. These tactics — known as 'image washing' — can involve sports, social causes, AI, or environmental promises. In this e ... Show More
21m 50s
Sep 6
The Stablecoin Gold Rush — Why Wall Street Is Betting on Digital Dollars
Stablecoins are suddenly the hottest topic in global finance. From Wall Street giants like Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan, to governments in the U.S., Japan, and even China, everyone is rushing to get a piece of the digital dollar market. But what exactly are stablecoins, and why are ... Show More
17m 13s
Recommended Episodes
Jul 2025
Which Degrees Are Useless Now? English Listening Ep 819
Did you know some university degrees could actually make it harder to find a job? Hi everyone, and welcome back to Adept English https://adeptenglish.com/language-courses/ your goto place for interesting English listening. Today, we're tackling a big question: Are university degr ... Show More
14m 22s
Feb 2025
184. Fit or Quit? Find the Job That is Right For You—Catalyze Your Career
<p><em>Stay prepared, build your network, and take control of your career.</em></p><p>Most of us know that career growth is important—but according to <a href="https://www.fastersmarter.io/guests/catherine-fisher/">Catherine Fisher</a>, we're thinking about it all wrong. It’s not ... Show More
24m 6s
Aug 27
English, Immigration, and the Future of International Study
🎙️ Welcome to ESL Talk! 🎙️A podcast for English Teachers, by English Teachers.Join us for an insightful conversation with Celina Hui, CEO and Immigration Consultant at Immi Canada, as we explore the evolving landscape of immigration and international education in North America. ... Show More
52m 57s
Feb 2025
187. Experimenting, Failing, and Finding Your Job Fit - Catalyze Your Career
<p><em>Rethink career success by testing, adapting, and staying open to unexpected opportunities.</em></p><p>Career planning isn’t as straightforward as we often assume—but according to <a href="https://www.fastersmarter.io/guests/dorie-clark/">Dorie Clark</a>, that’s actually a ... Show More
24m 54s
Sep 4
AI Career Guide: Top Jobs & Skills for the Age of Artificial Intelligence
<p>Welcome to English Plus Podcast's deep dive into "Living in the Age of AI"! This week, we tackle one of the most pressing questions of our time: "What are the top current and future jobs related to AI, and what can you do to be qualified to do them?"</p> <p>Join us as we demys ... Show More
32m 16s
Jan 2025
Navigating the Job Market in 2025 - In Conversation with Dr Kyle Elliott
Love Your Career Podcast? Let us know!In episode 270 of Your Career Podcast I welcome back Dr. Kyle Elliott, tech industry specialist and trauma-informed career coach, to discuss the evolving job market in 2025 and practical strategies for job seekers. I first interviewed Kyle in ... Show More
32m 16s
Mar 2025
The remote-work battle rages on
<p><strong>Today's story:</strong> Five years after the pandemic began, the fight over remote work still isn’t settled. Some companies are demanding full-time office attendance, using badge swipes and tracking software to enforce it. Others are trying to lure workers back with pe ... Show More
16m 30s