New ‘Skilled’ Docuseries from 3M Showcases Need for Diverse, Meaningful Trade Careers

3M is premiering a new documentary film, “Skilled,” to celebrate the skilled trades and break down stereotypes that may prevent people from pursuing these vital careers. “Skilled” features four trade workers — a plumber, fall protection specialist, welder and film gaffer — at various stages in their careers and highlights the meaningful opportunities offered within the trades.

The film is debuting at 3M’s officially sanctioned Sundance Film Festival event — hosted by actress, director and philanthropist Vivica A. Fox — and will be available for streaming on Apple TV+, Google Play, Kanopy, Prime Video and The Roku Channel on May 3.

In addition to this enterprise-level goal at 3M, the company’s Safety & Industrial Business Group will leverage its people, products and community partnerships to advance equity in the skilled trades. To increase awareness of the skilled trades as a viable career, the business group is engaging underrepresented students and young adults interested in vocational training for jobs. SIBG is also actively identifying community partnerships that support skilled trade occupations their customers are working to fill, while connecting students and young adults to hands-on training and certification opportunities.

The workers highlighted in the film include:

• Paige Knowles, a 20-year-old plumber and author of the children’s book “Plumber Paige,” who hosts an all-girls construction camp during the summer.
• Cedric Smith, a welder who attended technical school thanks in part to a 3M grant, who is driven, committed and passionate about his profession.
• Anni Martinez, a gaffer at Amazonas Electricas, an all-female grip and electrical team bringing diversity to Mexico’s film industry.
• Andrea Martin, a fall protection specialist at 3M, who was named one of the 2022 Top Women in Safety by Canadian Occupational Safety.

3M is also partnering with Teach For America, an organization committed to educational equity and excellence, to promote and screen “Skilled” in 2023. The film will be shown in classrooms led by Teach For America educators — reaching up to 30,000 students — and supported by discussion guides to facilitate open conversation about the skilled trades and the opportunities available.

“Skilled” was directed by documentary filmmaker Julio Palacio and produced by Christine Arena of Generous Films and 3M.