On this episode of the "Manufacturing the Workforce of Tomorrow", host Toni Neary welcomes her colleague and friend, Craig McAtee, the Executive Director of the National Coalition of Advanced Technology Centers (NCATC).

Craig shares his unique career journey, transitioning from an engineer at a company called Swagelok to roles in workforce and economic development at Cuyahoga Community College, before taking the helm at NCATC. They discuss how NCATC has evolved into a leading workforce development association under his leadership.

The conversation dives into the power of partnerships, highlighting the shift from calling industry relationships "vendors" to "strategic partners". Craig and Toni also discuss what makes the NCATC conference so successful, including its focus on sharing best practices, offering "industry innovation tours" , and the "Member Assistance Program" (MAP) where experienced members help colleges plan new technology centers. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in how education and industry are collaborating to build the workforce of the future.