July 09, 2024

How John Deere is Building Talent Pipelines, Right in its Local Communities - David Ottavianelli, Director of Workforce & Community Outreach

38 minutes

John Deere is on a mission to develop the next generation of STEM and manufacturing talent - not just for themselves, but to support businesses and entire communities surrounding their plants across the United States.

Recently, John Deere conducted a study to understand the major gaps in their workforce pipeline and what they must do to ensure they'll have the future workforce to keep up with demand. We sat down with David Ottavianelli, Director of Workforce and Community Outreach, to discover what that study revealed, and how the company has launched initiatives in response.

In this episode, you'll learn:

How John Deere addresses workforce shortages through data-driven strategies
The proven program that's inspiring high school & college students toward manufacturing careers
The importance of community-based registered apprenticeship programs
How to tap into nontraditional sources to find & train your manufacturing workforce
Why our military veterans make for great manufacturing employees, and how employers can leverage these unique strengths

3 Big Takeaways from this episode:

The IGNITE program is an effective crash course in manufacturing: John Deere has supported IGNITE programs, which introduce high school and college students to careers in advanced manufacturing through hands-on learning and skill development. By exposing students to technologies like hydraulics, electronics, and CNC programming early on, the program inspires them to pursue careers in STEM fields and addresses future workforce needs.
Community-based apprenticeship programs make it easy for students to transition into careers: John Deere’s registered apprenticeship programs, in partnership with local high schools and community colleges, are successfully attracting and training the next generation of manufacturing talent. These programs provide hands-on experience and structured career pathways, making it easier for students to transition into the workforce.
Veterans bring valuable skills to manufacturing roles: Military veterans possess technical expertise and strong leadership qualities that make them ideal candidates for manufacturing jobs. John Deere’s involvement in the DoD SkillBridge Program supports veterans in their transition to civilian careers, offering mentorship and training that leverages their unique strengths for the benefit of the company and the industry.

Resources in this Episode:

To learn more about John Deere, visit: deere.com

See press coverage of the Quad Cities signing day events:

https://quadcitieschamber.com/news/blog/signing-day/

View the Iowa High School Registered Apprenticeship Playbook

Learn more about the DOD SkillBridge program

Learn more about the IGNITE program

More resources & links on the episode page: https://techedpodcast.com/davido/

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By Matt Kirchner

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