The TechEd Podcast

Get ready to start your AI journey in manufacturing! We sat down with industry visionary Todd Wanek, CEO of Ashley Furniture Industries, to get his best practices for developing an AI strategy.

According to Wanek, businesses have 3-5 years to figure out AI, or get left behind.  Fortunately for us, Ashley Furniture - the world's largest furniture manufacturer with 35,000 employees globally - has already started their AI journey. Their efforts have resulted in a 20-30% improvement in product forecasting accuracy for their 23,000 global retail stores. And now you can learn from their example in this podcast episode.

In this episode, we'll tell you:

• How AI will impact each business unit, from product forecasting and supply chain to creative services and accounting
• How to know when to use existing AI platforms and when to build your own
• A step-by-step system to get started with AI, from cleaning up your data to leveraging value stream mapping
• Why you should have an AI champion in your organization
• How to identify and enable curious employees and give them space to experiment with AI

3 Big Takeaways:

1. AI doesn't replace the work; it's a tool to make processes more efficient optimized: Think of artificial intelligence as a lean tool - once you identify areas for improvement, these platforms can eliminate waste in your processes, freeing up your people to do more value-added work.
2. Before you can implement AI tools, you need to prepare your data and your team: Before you launch that AI initiative, take these 4 steps to ensure your data and people are ready. (view full show page to get all the details).
3. Curiosity is key to the implementation of AI: It's not always the data scientists or IT experts who will be your AI champions. Todd encourages leaders to look for the curious people. Identify those who are existed about AI and take the initiative to find the tools that can improve their own work - then harness their curiosity as you deploy AI in the organization. At the beginning, it's all about curiosity - reading, researching, experimenting and being okay with failure.

Resources:

• If you're a Microsoft user, check out Microsoft Copilot
• Podcast: Moonshots with Peter Diamandis - "The Rise of Humanoid Robotics w/Brett Adock"
• Video: "Why the Tesla Bot Will Take Over in 2024!"
• Video (Tesla): "Optimus - Gen 2"
• Blog: Peter Diamondis - "Embrace AI or Face Extinction"

Connect with Ashley Furniture online:

Facebook | YouTube | LinkedIn

THERE'S MORE! Access the full list of notes & resources on the official episode page: https://techedpodcast.com/wanek/

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How can we better serve students in a city like Milwaukee, where 50% of students attend mediocre or failing schools, and only 65% of students even graduate high school? This data isn't anomalous; urban regions across the U.S. are failing our students, creating systems lacking in hope and opportunity for our kids.

One school in Milwaukee has found tremendous success by taking a holistic approach to K-12 education - one where the whole student is served, mind, body and soul.

Abby Andrietsch, CEO of St. Augustine Preparatory Academy, joins us to share the unique approaches at Aug Prep that have help students go from failing to 4.0; where graduates have earned over $21 million in scholarships in the 7 years the school has been open.

Discover how Aug Prep has been ranked one of the top K-12 schools in the state for academic success with one of the highest satisfaction ratings for teachers, all while serving low-income students of color from across 43 zip codes in Milwaukee.

3 Big Takeaways from this episode:

1. A holistic approach to education serves the student's mind, body and soul: Aug Prep has built their model on four pillars: faith, family, academics and athletics/arts. Parents are involved in each student's educational journey; academic rigor starts at four years old; students are given opportunities in STEM, the arts and athletics; and faith is the final key to ensuring the entire student is served by the school.
2. Believing in students' potential and setting high expectations can lead to remarkable achievements: You'll be amazed at the success stories Abby shares in the podcast. When students have teachers who believe in them, mentors who lead them, parents who are involved in their education, and a school who sets expectations high, it's incredible what students can accomplish.
3. Exposing students to a variety of career pathways and providing authentic experiences can help them make informed decisions about their future: Aug Prep prides itself on helping students be future-ready. No matter their post-secondary pathway, the school provides 60+ pre-college program opportunities for exposure and exploration for a variety of careers. In an effort to ensure their students are ready for the future workforce, Aug Prep is also investing heavily in STEM and advanced manufacturing curriculum through partnerships with the MMAC and Bucyrus Foundation.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Visit Aug Prep's website
• Episode: Where Forward-Thinking Manufacturers Invest their Resources (featuring Austin Ramirez, CEO of Husco)
• Aug Prep Exceeds Expectations by Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

Connect with Aug Prep online:

Facebook | YouTube | LinkedIn | Instagram

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Every student should have access to the educational opportunities they need to pursue the careers they're passionate about - and that means removing as many financial barriers as possible.

When it comes to students attending technical and community colleges, often these financial barriers look much different than those faced by a traditional university student. And yet of the 1,500 applications the SME Education Foundation receives each year for their $1 million+ in scholarship funds, only 5% of applicants are community college students.

In this episode, we're joined by Rob Luce, Vice President of the SME Education Foundation and Maria Fernanda, Founder of IOScholarships, to discuss the unique challenges that community college students face, and why scholarships can be a truly life-changing resource for these individuals.

See the episode page for more notes & quick facts about our guests.

3 Big Takeaways from this episode:

1. Community college students often face different financial barriers to education than traditional university students: If we compare the tuition cost alone, it's easy to see why university students benefit from scholarships to save on a tuition that could reach six figures over four years - while affordability is built into the community college model. However, generally speaking, the demographics of community college students are much different than university students: often these individuals are already employed, juggling full-time careers with continuing education. They're often raising families, financially supporting a household while also covering the cost of things like childcare.
2. A debt-free education can make a life-changing difference: For a university student, a scholarship might be the difference between graduating with or without student debt. For a community college student, a scholarship might be the difference between them having to quit school altogether and being able to get a degree that will jumpstart a better career for themselves and their family. Hear Maria Fernanda share some inspiring stories of students she's interviewed on the IOScholarships Superheroes Podcast who have experienced the life-changing benefit of a scholarship.
3. We need to change the misconceptions about who scholarships are for and increase awareness about opportunities for community college students: The SME Education Foundation is committed to increasing the number of diverse individuals applying for and receiving scholarships for engineering and manufacturing programs. IOScholarships exists to provide scholarship and internship resources for underrepresented individuals. Both of these organizations are spearheading the work we should all be part of - advocating for community college education and increasing awareness about the scholarships available for these programs.

Resources:

SME Education Foundation

• Visit the SME Education Foundation website
• Click here to learn about scholarship opportunities and apply online

IOScholarships

• Visit the IOScholarships website
• Listen to the IOScholarship Superheroes Podcast

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The traditional K-12 education model in America - one that's remain unchanged for decades - no longer serves our students like it should. It's an inadequate system that needs to be disrupted, and superintendent Justin Wagner and his team at Woodbine Community School District decided to take action to change it.

Hear how they built a new model centered around involved, relevant and personalized learning. One that focuses on student voice and choice and gets the parents involved. One that's seen tremendous success in student engagement as kids are finally being taught in a manner that best works for them.

In this episode, you'll not only hear the story of how Woodbine School District created this new plan, but also discover how the model resulted in some incredible outcomes for students and the community.

3 Big Takeaways:

1. K-12 education must be personalized: K-12 education can't be a one-size-fits-all approach. The lack of personalization in our system is leaving behind those kids who learn in different ways. We need to reach students in the way they learn best, and then measure their learning accordingly. Hear how Woodbine and the Ignite Pathways program has given students voice and choice in how they learn while still being aligned to state standards.
2. New metrics for success - student enrollment, academics, and behaviors: How do we know Woodbine's model works? The district has seen more students coming to the district , a rise in academic achievement, and a massive decrease in student behaviors. The moral of the story? When students' needs are met, they're more engaged in their learning, they stick and stay, and they actually understand the knowledge and can apply it in the real world.
3. Ignite Pathways is a personalized approach to Career and Technical Education: Learn about Ignite Pathways, where middle school, high school and adult students can earn their core credits through career-relevant, personalized learning experiences in areas like agriculture, industrial maintenance, health sciences, & technology. From career exploration to skill-building, the Ignite Pathways approach is all about competency-based learning.

Resources:
Woodbine Community School District:

• Visit the WCSD website
• Visit the Ignite Pathways website

Other episodes referenced:

• Wisconsin Adjutant General Paul Knapp
• North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum
• Northern Cass Superintendent Cory Steiner
• Saint Paul Public Schools Superintendent Joe Gothard

Connect with Ignite Pathways:

LinkedIn  |  Instagram  |  Facebook  |  YouTube

Full notes on the episode page: https://techedpodcast.com/wagner/

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GrayMatter Robotics is revolutionizing industrial automation, powering their robots with artificial intelligence as we enter the age of the "digital worker."

We sat down with Co-Founder and CEO Ariyan Kabir to hear just how innovative their approach to automation is.

What makes them so unique? GrayMatter Robotics is a company that develops AI software for robots, focusing on surface finishing and treatment applications in manufacturing. These are some of the most difficult processes to automate, and yet they've successfully leveraged AI to automatically program the robots, resulting in increased throughput, consistent quality, and reduced consumables.

But that's not all. In this episode, you'll hear all about:

• What is a "digital worker," and why robots can increase capacity in an industry plagued by talent shortages
• Automating with a pay-for-service model
• How to automate in a high-mix, high-variability environment
• What is physics-informed AI?
• A surprising benefit to automation: sustainability
• What the future could look like with more applications for AI-powered robots

Resources mentioned in this episode:
To learn more about GrayMatter Robotics, visit: graymatter-robotics.com

Connect with GrayMatter Robotics online:

LinkedIn  |  Instagram  |  Facebook  |  YouTube  |  X

View episode page: https://techedpodcast.com/graymatter/

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Autonomous trucks, robotics and AI are revolutionizing the mining industry...and now engineering students of all disciplines are being prepared for these fascinating careers at South Dakota Mines!

Dr. Jim Rankin, President of the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (often called South Dakota Mines) discusses the institution's focus on STEM education and its impact on the mining and mineral industries. SDSMT is one of only five universities in the U.S. to have all three mineral industry disciplines: Geology and Geological Engineering, Mining Engineering and Management, and Materials and Metallurgical Engineering.

Beyond mining, the school has a strong emphasis on all engineering disciplines, creating a cross-collaborative learning experience that prepares students for the real world. Hear how this top STEM school has partnered with industry and research collaboratives to give students truly cutting-edge learning experiences in fields that are evolving rapidly.

3 Big Takeaways from this episode:

1. South Dakota Mines is one of the top ROI STEM schools in America: What makes this engineering school so valuable for students? The deliberate focus on STEM education, where students can jump into their major on day one. Dr. Rankin recognizes the changing perceptions around higher education - especially those questioning whether the tuition cost is worth it - and has ensured SDSMT's students have a low-cost, high-return education that gives them the knowledge and skills to be successful engineers.
2. Mining has major environmental and national security implications: The more technology evolves, the greater need for rare earth minerals that power things like next-gen batteries and semiconductors. The U.S. has identified 30+ of these minerals that we're sourcing internationally - but should we be mining them here? Dr. Rankin shows us the delicate balance between the environmental impact of mining and the national security issue of sourcing the material elsewhere.
3. The Mining Hub pairs engineering students with industry to do cutting-edge research into Mining 4.0: Launched in partnership with organizations like Caterpillar, the Mining Hub is a multi-disciplinary research incubator doing work with autonomous mining vehicles, artificial intelligence and robotics to develop the latest innovations in the mining industry. This research is done alongside the Sanford Underground Research Facility.

Resources mentioned in this episode:
To learn more about the South Dakota Mines, visit: www.sdsmt.edu

Visit these links to learn more about:

• Cat® Labs MineStar™ Consortium
• The Mining Hub
• Sanford Underground Research Facility

Connect with South Dakota Mines:
LinkedIn  |  Instagram  |  Facebook  |  YouTube  |  X

Episode page: https://techedpodcast.com/rankin/

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Skilled talent is in high demand - in every industry. Caliber Collision is facing the shortage in the automotive collision repair industry, where they estimate 30% of the market needs are being unmet due to a lack of technicians.

Eddie Hightower leads Caliber's sustainability & social responsibility efforts, which includes the company's Technician Apprentice Program, designed to address the shortage of trained technicians in the industry.

We sat down with Eddie to learn just what makes this program so successful that its enrollment has taken off in the few short years since its launch. Discover the keys to a successful workforce training program - including mentorship, company culture, and working alongside education.

Plus, hear the newest advancements in the automotive industry that will impact the skills our nation's technicians will need in the coming years.

3 Big Takeaways from this episode:

1. Initiatives like Caliber's Technician Apprentice Program lift the entire industry up: "What if I invest in training my people, and then they go work somewhere else?" We hear this all the time from companies who don't offer employee training. Caliber does just the opposite. They're not afraid to invest an entire year training individuals to become automotive technicians - even if that person leaves - because they understand the value of lifting up the entire industry. And what they find is that the positive impact the training program leaves on those individuals is more than enough to keep them working at Caliber after they complete the program.
2. Automotive Technician is truly a STEAM career: Eddie calls them "the artisans of Caliber." There's an art to automotive collision repair that requires creativity, on top of the technical skills you'd normally think of. Companies like caliber need the artistic students just as much as the technical ones, which is why STEAM programs can be a great pathway for students to find a creative outlet and a career.
3. The evolution of automotive technology will require technicians to continue training throughout their careers: College automotive programs and apprenticeship programs like Caliber's can do a great job launching the career of an individual, but the learning can't stop there. Eddie shares some of the ongoing developments in the automotive industry - like sensors, batteries and EV technology - that will require technicians to gain new skills throughout the course of their career.

Resources mentioned in this episode:
Learn more about the Caliber Technician Apprentice Program.

Connect with Caliber online:

LinkedIn  |  Instagram  |  Facebook  |  YouTube  |  X

Episode page: https://techedpodcast.com/hightower/

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It's the start of a new year, and that means...our annual predictions episode is here! Host Matt Kirchner shares the top 9 trends & technologies that will impact the world of technical education in 2024.

How exactly will AI impact the way we teach, the way students learn, and how we do business in 2024? What will happen with the ever-growing shortage of skilled talent? How will the enrollment cliff affect higher education?  What's the latest-and-greatest advancements in tech that our nation's educators should know about?

Listen for insights, action items and strategies you should be considering as you plan out your year.

9 Predictions in this episode:
Use the chapter markers to jump to any prediction to get the details:

• Prediction 1: EV in education
• Prediction 2: Co-opetition between organizations
• Prediction 3: Disruption in Higher Education
• Prediction 4: AI Learning in Schools
• Prediction 5: Educators using AI in their jobs
• Prediction 6: Changes in Student Learning with AI
• Prediction 7: Precision Agriculture in Education
• Prediction 8: Execution of Industrial Training Programs
• Prediction 9: Employer Recognition of Third-Party Credentials

Listen to our prediction episodes from past years:

• 2023 predictions for technical education
• 2022 predictions for technical education

Connect with The TechEd Podcast and follow along with us all year long!
LinkedIn  |  Instagram  |  Facebook  |  YouTube  |  TikTok

Episode page: https://techedpodcast.com/2024

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Technical and community colleges not just degree factories; they're the solution to meeting the shifting demands of the workforce while creating economic and social mobility for individuals.

In this episode of the podcast, we're joined by Dr. Lori Suddick, President of the College of Lake County, to dive into this important topic of education-industry alignment.

CLC is positioned at the heart of the Midwestern manufacturing corridor, where large, globally integrated companies in manufacturing, supply chain, distribution, pharma, and high-tech have generated a huge demand for skilled talent in the region.

Discover three of the strategies CLC has used to meet the needs of these industries - strategies you can deploy in your own region, too.

3 Big Takeaways from this episode:

1. The Advanced Technology Center is directly addressing the skilled talent shortage by training individuals with the high-tech skills needed by regional employers: Dr. Suddick recognized that the college did not have the capacity to provide the hands-on skills training her regional employers needed most. The Advanced Technology Center was as effort of the college to secure 182,000 sq ft of learning space to increase this capacity. Currently, the ATC offers industrial maintenance technology and welding & fabrication, with big plans to expand.
2. SACA certifications are a sure-fire way to align curriculum to industry needs, since the standards were written by industry: In an effort to offer programming that teaches the most in-demand and relevant skills, CLC turned to the Smart Automation Certification Alliance. SACA's third-party certifications are designed and validated by industrial employers, so the college is sure their curriculum is aligned to what industry has defined as important.
3. The new regional manufacturing alliance will pull together stakeholders from education, industry and workforce organizations to solve the region's workforce issues: Taking inspiration from similar alliances in the Midwest, this new regional manufacturing alliance being spearheaded by CLC will get everyone at the same table to create strategies and enact projects that solve their most pressing workforce challenges. This collaborative effort will benefit education, industry and most importantly, individuals and families within the community.

Resources mentioned in this episode:
To learn more about the College of Lake County, visit: www.clcillinois.edu

Other resources:

• Explore the Advanced Technology Center at CLC
• Learn about the UW-Stout Automation Leadership Degree
• Get more information about NEWMA

Connect with College of Lake County online:
LinkedIn  |  Instagram  |  Facebook  |  YouTube

Episode page: https://techedpodcast.com/suddick/

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Ever wondered how a seventh-grade engineering camp can ignite a lifelong passion for STEM? Alyssa Sanders, Associate Director of Research and Development Engineering at Baxter, is living proof of just that.

This week's episode is a fascinating discussion about the role of innovation in an engineering career. Managing a diverse, global team of engineers, Alyssa is an expert on innovation, product development and manufacturing, and highlights the importance of understanding market needs, meticulous research, and considering manufacturing capabilities in the R&D process.

We also hear a new perspective on the very definition of innovation. Learn how engineers can do so much more than design the next big product to go to market, and discover the value of continuous improvement and never accepting things just as they are.

3 Big Takeaways from this episode:

1. Engineering skills are highly transferrable and can lead to a multitude of career experiences in vastly different industries: Students: your first job out of college isn't a life sentence. Especially for engineers, there's potential for you to apply those foundational skills to any number of careers and fields you may not even know about yet. As an example, Alyssa shares how her first job after earning a biomedical engineering degree was in the automotive industry. Keep learning, keep working with cross-collaborative teams and you can build a career of unlimited experiences.
2. Innovation isn't just about creating the next big product on the market; innovation is about new ways to improve processes, systems, and products: While an R&D Engineering team does spend time designing new products, they also work to improve current product designs, improve manufacturing processes, and create more efficient systems - all with the goal of making a better experience for the end user. Innovation is about continuous improvement, looking at things with a fresh perspective and never accepting things as-is just because it's how they've always been.
3. Engineering on a global scale is a fascinating challenge that crosses multiple disciplines of engineering, different cultures and different ways to think about product design: Working on a global team developing products for many different geographies and markets, Alyssa has learned the value of having a diverse R&D Engineering team. Hear interesting anecdotes from Alyssa and Matt about designing products for different cultures and how thinking through challenges like these are important for today's engineering students.

Resources mentioned in this episode:
To learn more about Baxter, visit their website: www.baxter.com

Connect with Baxter online:

LinkedIn  |  X (Twitter)  |  Facebook  |  YouTube

Episode page: https://techedpodcast.com/sanders

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