In this episode of Real Talk, Real Growth, host Linda Ostovitz welcomes Dr. Minah Woo, Vice President of Workforce Innovation and Strategic Partnerships at Howard Community College. They discuss how the college partners with businesses to build talent pipelines through job fairs, short-term certifications, internships, advisory committees, and registered apprenticeships. The two also discuss the “shrinking workforce” driven by an enrollment cliff and retirements, emphasizing retention, culture, generational differences, and relationship-building, including in hybrid work. 

00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 
01:33 Defining Workforce Innovation 
04:50 Helping Employers Hire 
08:33 Apprenticeships Explained 
10:23 Apprenticeship Results 
12:03 Shrinking Workforce Reality 
16:50 Generations and Culture 
20:37 Remote Work and Connection 
22:52 AI as a Workforce Tool 
26:17 Rethinking Retirement 
28:58 Untapped Talent Pools 
32:55 Trades and New Center 
37:50 Team Behind the Work 
39:22 Final Thanks and Wrap Up 

Connect with Dr. Minah Woo on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/minah-woo-60114250/