We know that Career & Technical Education is a great pathway for students to secure the skills they need for high-wage, high-demand careers. But Tech Ed is also a great path for our students to become entrepreneurs and run businesses of their own! In this episode, we explore the role of free enterprise in CTE with Governor Scott Walker, President of Young America's Foundation. In addition to our conversation on entrepreneurship, we pick Governor Walker's brain for insights he's gained from d...
Dec 06, 2021•38 min•Ep. 45
Flexible, nimble, entrepreneurial. These are three words that most of us wouldn't associate with our traditional college system. But what if we restructured the way we approach higher education to make it more flexible for all learners, to adapt more nimbly to workforce needs, and to instill an entrepreneurial spirit in the way education does its business? Tim Hood, President of Mid-Michigan College is an unconventional leader in his own right. His working-class upbringing and entrepreneurial ba...
Nov 22, 2021•44 min•Ep. 44
Is it time we rethink the K-12 model? Our education system needs some major updates, including more flexibility, greater focus on student identity, and a college and career readiness plan that starts in kindergarten. In this episode, we continue our conversation with Dr. Joe Gothard, Superintendent of Saint Paul Public Schools, exploring these points and more in a discussion around career readiness. Among a plethora of insights, Dr. Gothard shares his unconventional idea of the 12-Hour School Da...
Nov 16, 2021•25 min•Ep. 43
Education has reached a tipping point; people are waking up to the idea that we can and should do things in a different way. The challenge is how to actually enact change in a large urban district. St. Paul Public Schools reaches 35,000 students, 79% of whom identify as a race other than white, with 125 languages spoken by these students at home. In this episode, we talk with SPPS Superintendent Dr. Joe Gothard about what needs to be done to build systemic equity into our urban education system....
Nov 09, 2021•28 min•Ep. 42
How can technical and community colleges keep pace with the skilled workforce needs of their regional employers? How do we equip learners with the micro-credentials for highly-technical fields? How do we get more students excited to pursue STEM pathways? We answer these questions and more in our second episode with Dr. Jay Allen, President of Itawamba Community College. Listen to learn about: Tips for college leaders to be on the same page as their regional employers Why industry-recognized cred...
Nov 01, 2021•31 min•Ep. 41
Two-year colleges are truly the unsung heroes of our communities. They provide a whole range of services that go beyond the classroom to advance education, culture, athletics, our workforce...the list goes on. In part one of our two-episode series with Dr. Jay Allen, President of Itawamba Community College, we're breaking these services down to really understand all the resources our colleges can offer. We discuss how ICC is: Meeting the specific workforce needs of its employers, large and small...
Oct 25, 2021•29 min•Ep. 40
Economic development strategies must take on a comprehensive, collaborative approach, especially in today's climate. Missy Hughes, Secretary and CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), joins us to talk about all the factors that play into such an approach. We discuss relevant economic development issues, like: Why workforce issues are about far more than jobs and skills How government can instill the speed of action common in the private sector The rise of entrepreneurship ...
Oct 14, 2021•34 min•Ep. 39
Artificial intelligence is totally transforming the world in which we live, learn, and work. But how exactly does artificial intelligence work? How should industrial employers be leveraging AI? And what can education do to prepare their students for an AI-driven workforce? Matt Kirchner breaks it all down in this episode. Listen for actionable insights into: Understanding artificial intelligence: Breaking down key AI terminology so you can approach the subject with more confidence. 11 prediction...
Oct 12, 2021•29 min•Ep. 38
We live in a connected world, where everything from news, to business, finances, health and wellness and our social lives can be accessed and updated in real-time wherever we are. And as technology gets smarter, the information we consume becomes tailored to our specific interests and goals. Why should the manufacturing floor be any different? If you're still printing data and charts, laminating it and pinning it to a huddle board...you're wasting time, manpower, and opportunities to be a data-d...
Sep 28, 2021•33 min•Ep. 37
In part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Michael Lovell, we answer a big question: STEM or Humanities? If we want well-rounded graduates, then the answer is quite simply, we need both . Navigating this balance can be difficult. In the case of Marquette University's Jesuit roots, Dr. Lovell shares how the liberal arts work alongside new innovations in STEM and technology-based programs to produce students with the skills and character for successful futures. This STEM vs. Humanities discussion brin...
Sep 14, 2021•24 min•Ep. 36
How can we do a better job of solving the world's challenges? When it comes to research and innovation, too often we have siloed teams trying to solve big problems. Instead, we need broader teams of people from different backgrounds, organizations and skillsets to develop solutions together. In this episode, Dr. Michael Lovell, President of Marquette University , shows us how taking a cross-disciplinary approach to big problems is already accelerating innovation in Milwaukee. You'll hear about: ...
Sep 07, 2021•21 min•Ep. 35
The Oshkosh brand is instantly recognized for its specialty trucks and access equipment. But the company is about more than building the world's toughest equipment; they're committed to making a difference in people's lives. And that means every piece of equipment they manufacture is designed to empower people and keep communities safe. Leading this charge is John Pfeifer, President and CEO of Oshkosh Corporation, who joins us in this episode of the podcast to discuss how connected smart manufac...
Aug 30, 2021•38 min•Ep. 34
Austin Ramirez is an extremely successful CEO, leading Wisconsin-based manufacturer Husco . In addition, he has spent time as a White House Fellow under two US presidents, swam competitively at a national level, and co-founded a non-profit to revitalize democracy. In this episode, we talk about the priorities manufacturers should focus on as they lead their organizations into the future. This is excellent advice for industrial employers and for educators teaching the next generation of leaders. ...
Aug 23, 2021•33 min•Ep. 33
In this episode, we're talking with Maj. Gen. Paul Knapp , Wisconsin's 31st adjutant general and the commander of the Wisconsin National Guard. Our National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are in a unique position, playing the dual role of civilian employee and military service member. Maj. Gen. Knapp is committed to ensuring Wisconsin's Guardmembers have the support to lead a fulfilling work-home life while proudly serving their community. We get to hear about Maj. Gen. Knapp's experience leading the...
Aug 11, 2021•29 min•Ep. 32
Self-docking boats, electric outboard motors, IoT-enabled boater safety wearables...this is the future of marine technology, and it's all being developed at Mercury Marine. In this episode, we're talking with Chris Drees, President of Mercury Marine . The organization is leading the world in marine engine technology, not just on the product design side, but also in their innovative manufacturing processes. Learn about how the internet of things (IoT) and advanced manufacturing are disrupting the...
Aug 04, 2021•31 min•Ep. 31
Our goal at the TechEd Podcast is to help bridge the gap between education and industry - to help these entities speak a common language, understand each other's needs and build collaborative partnerships. In part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Bill Pink , President of Grand Rapids Community College , we're talking all things workforce development. We tap into Dr. Pink's extensive knowledge and experience working on the industrial workforce training side of community colleges to help you underst...
Jul 28, 2021•26 min•Ep. 30
The United States’ nearly 1,000 technical and community colleges have been providing skills-based, career-focused training to communities for over 100 years. It's imperative that higher ed pays attention to the needs of industry in order to fulfill this purpose. What happens when those needs take a massive shift in a short amount of time? The way we live, work and learn have all changed in the last two years. Some of these changes are due to technological advancement, and some are due to the COV...
Jul 21, 2021•24 min•Ep. 29
The Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0) is like a freight train coming rapidly down the tracks. While some employers and educators have seen it coming and are preparing their workforce, operations and students...there's a whole group of people who are about to miss the train altogether. In this episode, Matt Kirchner helps us understand exactly what Industry 4.0 is, the incredible opportunities smart manufacturing brings to businesses, and the consequences of not embracing this revolutio...
Jul 13, 2021•32 min•Ep. 28
Dr. Annette Parker is a name known nationwide in higher education. She has a unique career pathway and has used her experience to lead several states through innovative academic transformations. Today, Dr. Parker serves as President of South Central College in Minnesota and sits on numerous national academic boards, and in these roles she continues to lead technical education into a bright future. Educators will be inspired by Dr. Parker's humility, wisdom and insights in this episode, where we ...
Jul 01, 2021•42 min•Ep. 27
Cummins is a global giant in power generation. Their focus on R&D has produced some of the world's most innovative solutions in industries like automotive, rail, marine, mining, construction and agriculture. To design and create the most high-tech products, Cummins has embraced Industry 4.0 in its manufacturing and supply chain operations, deploying technologies like collaborative robots, 3D printing and next-gen additive manufacturing, augmented and virtual reality, and advanced data analyt...
Jun 28, 2021•38 min•Ep. 26
Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce ( WMC ) is on a mission to make Wisconsin the best place in the nation to do business. The state's largest business association was recognized as the State Chamber of the Year in 2020 by the Council of State Chambers (COSC), primarily for its innovative efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this episode, we talk with WMC's President and CEO Kurt Bauer about the organization's efforts to solve Wisconsin's economic challenges. These efforts include bolsterin...
Jun 18, 2021•29 min•Ep. 25
The KOHLER brand is recognized worldwide for everything from kitchen and bath appliances to generators and hospitality. But they're also known for their social impact initiatives, which seek to improve the lives of their associates, community members and individuals across the globe. In this episode, Laura Kohler, the company's Senior Vice President of Human Resources, Stewardship and Sustainability, shows us the impact a global brand can have in creating a better world in which to work and live...
Jun 13, 2021•30 min•Ep. 24
The University of Wisconsin-Stout prioritizes applied learning, career-focused education and collaboration, leading to a 97%+ placement rate for its students! The model of a polytechnic university is truly unique and is perhaps the best way to prepare our students for today's highly skilled careers. In this episode, we're talking with UW-Stout's Chancellor Dr. Katherine Frank and Interim Provost Glendali Rodriguez to learn what drives the university's initiatives and what makes them so successfu...
Jun 03, 2021•39 min•Ep. 23
The Fender brand is synonymous with all things rock n' roll. But what does it actually take to build a Fender guitar? In a fascinating discussion with Ed Magee, Executive Vice President of Operations at Fender, we talk about how the worlds of music and manufacturing collide in more ways than meets the eye. And Ed's role goes beyond the manufacturing process. He's a strong advocate for building our STEM and technical trades workforce, for training and employing veterans, and for increasing divers...
Jun 01, 2021•39 min•Ep. 22
In part two of our series with Chancellor Mark Mone and Provost Johannes Britz of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, we're talking all about research. UWM is one of the few universities in the nation with the R1 distinction - the highest level designation for research activity a university can attain. In this episode, we talk about what it takes to maintain this distinction and some of the research projects being carried out at UWM that are serving the region. You'll learn about: Partnering ...
May 24, 2021•27 min•Ep. 21
How can education meet the needs of diverse student populations, particularly those in urban regions? In this two-part series, we're joined by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Chancellor Mark Mone and Provost Johannes Britz to look at how universities can face the socio-economic challenges of their communities while providing top-tier academic experiences to students. In this first episode, we focus on the challenge of leading a university in the most diverse, and also most segregated, city...
May 17, 2021•31 min•Ep. 20
Digitization, Industry 4.0, the Internet of Things...no matter what you call it, our current era is seeing more disruption across every economic sector than ever before, changing the way we produce, deliver and consume goods. Financial services are no exception. BMO Financial Group has been on the forefront of digital banking for decades, but the last year has prompted exponential innovation in products, services, customer relationships, and even how their employees work. During the pandemic, th...
May 10, 2021•48 min•Ep. 19
Technical and community colleges are vital to our economic prosperity. They provide skills-based training for students to enter high-demand careers, a pipeline of talent to our businesses, and a resource for reskilling our workforce. As President of the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS), Dr. Morna Foy is on a mission to optimize the impact of technical colleges in the state. While each college independently serves the unique needs of its region, the WTCS brings them all together with a f...
May 04, 2021•54 min•Ep. 18
Rockwell Automation is a global leader in industrial automation, smart manufacturing and the development of technologies that are revolutionizing the world of work. Leading the organization as Chairman and CEO is Blake Moret, our guest for this episode of the podcast. In its 118-year history, Rockwell has made itself a household name - not just because they're always on the forefront of technological innovation, but also because they've developed a culture and workforce that values its people. I...
Apr 23, 2021•21 min•Ep. 17
"The upskilling of the American workforce is the seminal issue of our time." This key point is delivered time and again by Mr. Nick Pinchuk, Chairman and CEO of Snap-on, our guest for this episode of The TechEd Podcast. Nick's message is so important for manufacturers and technical educators alike: skilled workers are the heroes of our time, and our tech ed students will be the heroes of tomorrow. In this episode, you'll hear inspiring and motivating thoughts on topics like: How skilled workers ...
Apr 19, 2021•33 min•Ep. 16
