<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0"><channel><title>The Skilled Nation</title><description>A free monthly digital magazine on skilled careers, job training, and financial literacy. Published the first Thursday of every month by TradePath.</description><link>https://theskillednation.com/</link><language>en-us</language><item><title>Your first paycheck: a 5-step money plan for new skilled workers</title><link>https://theskillednation.com/stories/first-paycheck-money-plan/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://theskillednation.com/stories/first-paycheck-money-plan/</guid><description>Gross pay is not take-home pay. Here is where the money goes, and five moves to make in your first 90 days on the job.</description><pubDate>Mon, 02 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate><category>Money Moves</category></item><item><title>Five money words every new worker should know</title><link>https://theskillednation.com/stories/five-money-terms/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://theskillednation.com/stories/five-money-terms/</guid><description>APR, net pay, match, credit utilization, and emergency fund. Learn them once and use them for life.</description><pubDate>Mon, 02 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate><category>Money Moves</category></item><item><title>Employer Playbook: How to start a Registered Apprenticeship program</title><link>https://theskillednation.com/stories/registered-apprenticeship-playbook/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://theskillednation.com/stories/registered-apprenticeship-playbook/</guid><description>The country has 714,000 active registered apprentices and a goal of 1 million. Here is how a company builds its own pipeline.</description><pubDate>Mon, 02 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate><category>Employer Playbook</category></item><item><title>Skilled work is the career story of 2027</title><link>https://theskillednation.com/stories/skilled-work-story-of-2027/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://theskillednation.com/stories/skilled-work-story-of-2027/</guid><description>Millions of openings, rising pay, and new federal aid for short training. Here is what changed, and what it means for you.</description><pubDate>Mon, 02 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate><category>Cover Story</category></item><item><title>Trade Spotlight: Electricians</title><link>https://theskillednation.com/stories/trade-spotlight-electricians/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://theskillednation.com/stories/trade-spotlight-electricians/</guid><description>A $63,190 median wage, 72,700 openings a year, and a paid path in. What the work is, what it pays, and how to start.</description><pubDate>Mon, 02 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate><category>Trade Spotlight</category></item><item><title>Training Guide: 10 questions to ask before you enroll in any program</title><link>https://theskillednation.com/stories/vet-a-training-program/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://theskillednation.com/stories/vet-a-training-program/</guid><description>Short programs can change your life or waste your money. Use this checklist to tell the difference before you sign.</description><pubDate>Mon, 02 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate><category>Training Guide</category></item><item><title>Workforce Pell, explained: Pell Grants now pay for 8-week training</title><link>https://theskillednation.com/stories/workforce-pell-explained/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://theskillednation.com/stories/workforce-pell-explained/</guid><description>Since July 1, 2026, federal Pell Grants can cover short job training programs. Here is who qualifies, which programs count, and how to apply.</description><pubDate>Mon, 02 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate><category>Policy Watch</category></item></channel></rss>