The TechEd Podcast

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. We discuss a number of keys to forward-thinking success, including:Why leaders should bring systems-level thinking into their strategiesHow manufacturers should pivot their products & services to adapt to an ever-changing marketHow to leverage Industry 4.0 technology in manufacturing3 core values every manufacturer should hire for and focus onWhy education is the driver for moving the region into the futureHow to leverage university partnerships to attract and retain great employeesWhy (and how) to invest in equitable education for all kidsWe want to hear from you! Send us a text.Instagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn

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 Wisconsin National Guard through the COVID pandemic, the 2020 Presidential inauguration, and the 2021 NBA National Championships in Milwaukee.We learn about some of the challenges Guardmembers face in the civilian workforce and how employers can hire and support these individuals.We get a sneak preview of the Operation Next project, an initiative between the National Guard and Western Technical College to provide skills-based training and certifications in STEM fields for Guardmembers and their families. And we talk about why military service is a great career pathway for graduating students, especially those interested in STEM fields.Visit the Wisconsin National Guard website: https://ng.wi.govFor more on the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs, visit: https://dma.wi.gov/DMA/We want to hear from you! Send us a text.Instagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn

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 marine industry as we discuss:Advancements in electric outboard enginesHardware & wearables that enhance boater safety and engine data analyticsHow to use data at every step of the manufacturing processThe role of renewable energy in manufacturing of the futureThe benefit of being vertically integratedSoft skills engineers need to work in an Industry 4.0 environmentWe want to hear from you! Send us a text.Instagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn

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 understand what employers need, and how education can quickly respond and meet those needs.In this episode, we tackle some common workforce training topics, likeMichigan's 60 by 30 goal and the roles education and industry each play in achieving itStackable credentials and why they're so valuableThe one big mistake colleges make that turns away employers from working with themCross-sector competition for talent and how companies can attract studentsHow to make education more flexible for workforce training needsWhat GRCC is doing this fall to bridge the education-industry gapWe want to hear from you! Send us a text.Instagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn

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 COVID-19 pandemic. We've seen entire sectors slowing/shutting down and then reopening, individuals displaced and seeking skills in totally new industries, education transitioning online, a mass transition to remote work, and more technology-driven work than ever before.How must community colleges adapt to these changes? We asked Dr. Bill Pink, President of Grand Rapids Community College in Michigan to talk on the future of work and the vital role technical and community colleges play. In part 1 of a two-part series, we discuss the two keys every community college must have in order to serve their region.In this episode, Dr. Pink answers key questions, like:Why do relevance and responsiveness matter in higher ed?When it comes to determining curriculum, skills and competencies to teach, what's one huge mistakes many colleges still make?How did GRCC manage to have a higher summer enrollment than even pre-pandemic numbers?What should colleges do to promote better mental and physical health for students?Career ladder or career lattice: What do career pathways look like for today's students?What role do community colleges play in times of transition - from military to private sector, from high school to adulthood, etc?We want to hear from you! Send us a text.Instagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn

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 revolution.Are you part of the group who's missing the Industry 4.0 train?This episode will help you answer that. And if you are in that group - don't worry - Matt also offers actionable steps you can take today to get back on track with Industry 4.0.We want to hear from you! Send us a text.Instagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn

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 cover:How an community college drafting student became a national leader in higher educationThe 2 things students should remember as they consider their career pathwayHow Industry 4.0 has changed automotive manufacturingWhat "accessible" education really means, and where higher ed needs to improveWhy Dr. Parker testified before Congress on the power of private-public partnershipsThe potential impact of dual-credit for students and schoolsWe want to hear from you! Send us a text.Instagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn

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 analytics.In this episode, we're talking about all these technologies with Peter Anderson, the Vice President of Manufacturing and Supply Chain at Cummins. Peter's insights will help you better understand the rapid pace of innovation taking place in manufacturing today, and what our workforce and students need to know for Industry 4.0-era careers.Some of the key topics we discuss include:Electrification and the future of sustainable engine powerThe power of telematics and data in transportationCutting-edge additive manufacturing technologies being used by Cummins todayWhy collaborative robots actually create more and better jobsWhat's changing in supply chain degrees - and why we're on the right pathHow to use data to optimize the supply chainWe want to hear from you! Send us a text.Instagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn

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 bolstering manufacturing, developing a skilled workforce, and training and retaining talent within the state.In this episode, we discuss: How to bridge the gap between unemployed individuals and employers who are desperate for workersThe upskilling that needs to be done to make employers Industry 4.0-readyChanging the negative stigma of manufacturing for parents and studentsThe vital role of Academic and Career Planning (ACP) for our studentsHow to get employers & educators on the same pageResearch and innovation taking place in WisconsinWe want to hear from you! Send us a text.Instagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn

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.In an engaging conversation, we learn about:How art and manufacturing converge in KOHLER's facilitiesThe Believing in Better initiative for stewardship and sustainabilityWhy gender and ethnic representation in leadership is so crucialHow a diverse workforce accelerates innovationThe importance of STEM/STEAM education and why public education is the key to bright futures for our studentsWe want to hear from you! Send us a text.Instagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn