How can industry and education work together to prepare students for the future?

“ People at a younger age deserve to learn earlier what their opportunities are and deserve to be encouraged to think about and explore their interests.” -Matt Kellam

In this episode of Lessons Learned Season 2, host Matt sits down with Matt Kellam, Manager of Workforce Development at Dominion Energy, to explore the powerful connection between K–12 education and industry.

Drawing from his experience in the energy sector, Matt shares how intentional partnerships between schools and employers can expand student opportunities, strengthen local hiring pipelines, and prepare learners for success—whether their next step is college, the military, or immediate entry into the workforce.

Together, we explore key topics such as:

• Why rigorous, skill-based curricula are essential for postsecondary readiness
• How industry partnerships create real-world relevance in the classroom
• The diverse career pathways within the energy sector and beyond
• How Virginia’s career clusters and workforce consortia are shaping student opportunities
• The evolving role of AI and other technologies in future-ready education

Connect with our guest:

• Matt’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattkellam1775/ 
• Dominion Energy website: https://www.instructionalcoaching.com/

Ways to tune in:

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4bzi3DLY1fCuBknsxWySw6 
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/lessons-learned/id1714296987 
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c715776e-3d77-4a8b-806b-207e01b861af 
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@betterlesson4313