The TechEd Podcast

"Oh, it was that easy?"

Anthony Murphy and his team are used to hearing this reaction from small-to-midsize manufacturers as they help them launch their digital transformation efforts.

Many SMBs foresee high capital expenses, massive change and large implementation teams to become a smart manufacturer. In truth, you don't need a team of engineers and data scientists, and you don't need to restructure your entire production environment.

Plex, now part of Rockwell Automation's solution ecosystem, has been helping small and midsize manufacturers digitize their processes, connect their systems, extract valuable data, and most importantly, enact cultural change that gets every employee involved in the digital transformation process.

In this episode, Anthony dispels many of the misconceptions about digital transformation and gives us actionable insights into how manufacturers can get started on their Industry 4.0 journey today.

3 Big Takeaways from this episode:

1. Industry 4.0 is a journey, not a destination: Fully-connected smart factories, autonomous lights-out production...these are the pictures that conjure thoughts of enormous implementation teams and costly capital investments, preventing many SMBs from getting started on their digital transformation efforts. Anthony reframes the discussion for us: it's a journey, not a destination. Eventually, you'll want all MES, QMS, ERP, SCP systems, machines, processes, data and personnel connected in real-time. It's possible, but it starts with a single small project, like implementing production monitoring software or adding data visualization boards across your shop floor.
2. Successful digital transformations empower every employee with a stake in the effort: Your biggest asset in your digital transformation journey will be the individuals working on your plant floor - the ones who know the ins and outs of every machine and have the most insight on opportunities for improvement. Anthony shares how Plex enables all employees - from CEO to engineers to operators - can have a stake in the implementation process using continuous improvement tools, automated workflors, employee suggestions and the ability to prove ROI on theories.
3. SMBs who embrace digital transformation will attract the next generation of workers: Through a partnership with the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Connected Systems Institute, Plex is showing students how data-driven and digitized advanced manufacturing is today. From the PLC level on the digital manufacturing test bed to the SAP instance connected to this equipment, Plex is helping the next generation see what manufacturing can look like in this Industry 4.0 era. Companies who embrace digital transformation will attract a workforce of students who have grown up in a digital world.

Resources

To learn more about Plex Systems, visit their website: plex.com

Connect with Plex on social media:

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Episode page: techedpodcast.com/plex

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With all the reshoring of manufacturing to the US, cities across the country are competing to be destinations for high-quality businesses and talent that will foster economic growth for their communities.

The Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC) is on such a mission, working to make Milwaukee a "globally competitive region that fosters high value employment to sustain a vibrant quality of life for all."

Tim Sheehy has led the MMAC as President for 31 years. Now more than ever, his focus to "think globally, act locally" is key to attracting and retaining the industry that is at the heart of the region: manufacturing.

With 300,000 people in southeast Wisconsin employed in the industry, the area is #2 in the country for a workforce in manufacturing (per capita). Today, Tim's focus is on ensuring the region can support manufacturing's demand for skilled talent, a reliable supply chain, and the resources to upskill and reskill the incumbent workforce as businesses invest in automation and Industry 4.0.

In this episode, we talk about the challenges and strategies for building and retaining a strong manufacturing region in 2023, how to engage education in the effort, and how to approach these workforce challenges from a broad, regional perspective.

3 Big Takeaways from this episode:

1. Regions should double down on what makes them great: Manufacturing is in Milwaukee's DNA. While the region is broadening its identity as a destination for tech, sports and leisure, the heart of Milwaukee will always be manufacturing. Tim gives advice to regions looking to attract more businesses and talent in manufacturing and industrial sectors - and it centers around sticking with what you're best at. He also shares how these efforts have brought large employers like Haribo to the region.
2. Students can't be what they can't see: If we want to inspire students toward skilled careers and keep them in the region, we need to expose them to the opportunities and pathways while they're in the K-12 system. MMAC has partnered with organizations like Microsoft to provide hands-on technology programming that opens doors for these students. He also shares some upcoming projects involving nonprofits and industrial partners that will usher in new advanced manufacturing education in the region.
3. Business - education partnerships thrive when expectations are set early on: Employers and educators need to be open and clear about their needs and goals at the outset of any strong partnership - this means establishing expectations early on. Education needs to know what's going on in the workforce, and employers need to understand what's being taught in the classroom. Most of all, these partnerships are about more than a half-day field trip. Career exposure and skill-based learning efforts must be mapped through the eyes of a student. 

Resources

To learn more about the MMAC, visit their website: mmac.org

Connect with MMAC on social media:

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

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Sh1ft (pronounced Shift One) is transforming frontline labor. By expanding on the power of the gig economy, the company has created a platform that gives individuals all the tools and resources to find frontline jobs in high-demand fields, while giving employers the labor force they need.

But it's about so much more than connecting people with jobs.

Founder and CEO Jason Radisson is a champion for leveraging technology to make lives better - and now he's applying it to a field that has needed disruption for a long time: HR. His team at Sh1ft founded the company on a mission to "inspire and develop the blue-collar workforce of tomorrow.”

In this episode, we learn about how Sh1ft has taken the foundations of the gig economy and applied them to multiple frontline industries, like warehousing, logistics, distribution, healthcare and manufacturing. The platform is designed to help individuals access quality, stable jobs that can jumpstart a career, while employers have the benefit of data-driven HR tools that can optimize their personnel investments.

Resources
To learn more about Sh1ft, visit their website: shiftone.net

Connect with Sh1ft on social media:

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

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US Cellular is driving digitization in manufacturing.That's right - the consumer wireless carrier you're familiar with has entered the industrial IoT sector, using its unique technology and business case to help manufacturers on their digital transformation journey.

In this episode, we're joined by two of US Cellular's experts, Mark Grushey - Business Development Manager for Smart Cities and James Rose - Head of Private Cellular Networks. Mark and James help us understand Private Cellular Networks, their use case in manufacturing, and how evolving technologies will change the workplace and workforce landscape in the coming years.

This episode was filmed live at Rockwell Automation Fair.

3 Big Takeaways from this episode:

1. How Private Cellular Networks are being used in manufacturing operations: Industrial operations live and breathe data - especially in 2023. The power to extract, store and analyze this data takes immense network capabilities - which can run up a large capital expense for manufacturers. Now, companies can now leverage the power of US Cellular's technology to have their own custom localized data solution, taking the burden off themselves.
2. The role of private cellular technology in Industry 4.0: Why use cellular when we have WiFi? In an era of Industry 4.0, PCNs serve to augment WiFi, not replace it. Consider these applications: using cellular in operations outside the building where WiFi doesn't reach; increasing data bandwidth to enable a company to deploy more sensors, more smart devices, and gather more data than WiFi bandwidth could allow; hosting operationally-critical use cases on private cellular, separate from a company WiFi network that many individuals may have access to; and creating low-latency, high-bandwidth capabilities to enable businesses to innovate much more rapidly.
3. 5G will not only transform manufacturing opportunities, but also how we prepare students for this new workforce: As 5G gets deployed across the world, the overabundance of data we already have will only become a larger issue. Today's students need to learn how to find the relevant data points in a sea of information and translate it into meaningful information that can drive business forward. Mark and James discuss an ongoing project at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Connected Systems Institute and how universities can help drive some of this innovation.

Resources

To learn more about US Cellular's Private Cellular Networks (PCNs), visit: https://business.uscellular.com/products/private-cellular-networks/

Connect with US Cellular Business on social media:

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Episode web page: https://techedpodcast.com/uscellular/

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Dr. Bryan Albrecht is a name known and highly respected across the world. 38 years in public education, 19 years at Gateway Technical College, and 16 years serving as that college's President, Bryan's leadership has made a lasting impact on technical education in the United States.

In January 2023, Bryan retired from Gateway and passed the reins to Dr. Rita Raju, officially becoming President Emeritus.

But is this all for Bryan Albrecht?

In this episode, we get to reflect on Bryan's tenure at Gateway and the impact his leadership has made - from strengthening partnerships with regional employers, to investing in the most cutting-edge technology, to impacting over 100,000 individuals during his time as President.

We also look ahead to the future, discovering what's next for Bryan as he continues to impact education in the years to come.

Resources

To learn more about Gateway Technical College, visit: https://www.gtc.edu/

Connect with Gateway Technical College on social media:

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

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ITR Economics, "first in forecasts worldwide," boasts a 94.7% forecast accuracy. Their Chief Economist and CEO Brian Beaulieu joins us for a fast-paced and engaging discussion on the economic outlook for the U.S. and global economy in 2023 and beyond.

But this isn't just your average discussion on economic trends. Our conversation is geared toward helping manufacturers and educators prepare for what's coming in the next 1-3 years, hone their competitive edge, take advantage of funding while it's available, and hedge against challenges that will arise.

3 Big Takeaways from this episode:

1. Inflation, supply chain issues, reshoring, and labor market - explained: When will inflation ease? Will there be a recession in 2023? Where did all the workers go? When will the supply chain get sorted out? These are big questions we've all been pondering for the last year, and now Brian shares the answers. His insights (backed by a long history of accurate economic predictions) will foster hope and provide direction to business leaders and educators alike.
2. Manufacturers should focus on solving the people problem: The labor shortage is not news, and as more companies move back to the U.S., manufacturers will continue to have issues finding skilled workers. Brian discusses several solutions, like turning to automation, adapting your work culture to reach hard-working Millennials and Gen Z workers, and developing a long-term privately-run labor program for individuals immigrating to the U.S.
3. Education must take advantage of 3 years of good funding: Brian shares confidence in the funding available to education over the next three years. We've already seen an increase in federal support of technical education (and education in general) since the onset of the pandemic in 2020. But how long will this last, and when should educators expect to prepare for budget cuts? Listen to find out.

Resources

To learn more about ITR Economics, visit their website.

Connect with ITR Economics on social media:

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View episode page: https://techedpodcast.com/2023economy/

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For decades, the nonprofit organization SME has been dedicated to the advancement of manufacturing in two critical areas: technology and people. In this episode, we sat down with Jeannine Kunz, longtime SME team member and newly-appointed Chief Workforce Development Officer to discuss the second area: people.

In this era of smart manufacturing, there's a huge people problem - manufacturing as an industry doesn't have the skilled workforce it needs to make the digital transformation to Industry 4.0. Jeannine's work seeks to understand the complexity of challenges around the workforce issue, and then bring together stakeholders to solve those challenges.

This episode is jam-packed with data, workforce news, tools & resources, and step-by-step strategies manufacturers can take action on right away.

3 Big Takeaways from this episode:

1. "Talent" is the #1 challenge keeping manufacturers from adopting smart manufacturing: SME and CESMII's 2022 Smart Manufacturing Survey sought to find out what challenges small-to-midsize manufacturers face in adopting smart manufacturing. Not surprisingly, the number one answer was a lack of talent (skilled or unskilled). We dive deep into the labor shortage crisis, how education is stepping up to build a pipeline into manufacturing, and most importantly, the opportunities for employers to deliver training for their own employees to solve this challenge.
2. Large manufacturers are taking a leadership role in sharing smart manufacturing insights to the entire ecosystem: The large manufacturers have been on the frontlines of the Industry 4.0 revolution. They've been taking the brunt of learning and retooling and now recognize the importance of sharing their knowledge along their supply chain and with the ecosystem in general. The Smart Manufacturing Executive Council is a prime example of leaders stepping up to disperse knowledge to all.
3. Manufacturing has fallen behind nearly every other sector in their employee training practices: Manufacturers have a long way to go in embracing new technology and tools for training. The industry may even need a cultural shift to get incumbent worker training to the level it needs to be. We discuss mindset changes toward training, technologies like virtual reality, and utilizing tools like certifications.

BONUS: SME and CESMII put together a framework for manufacturers to take steps toward Industry 4.0. Jeannine touches on the first three steps your organization can take, and they don't require extensive knowledge or capital to implement.

Resources
To learn more about SME, visit their website: https://www.sme.org/

To view all the additional resources & links mentioned in this episode, visit the episode page on our website: https://techedpodcast.com/sme/

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Partnerships are critical to the success of any technical or community college. Their very purpose is to build a pipeline of talent with the skills most in-demand in their regional businesses and to help employers fill their workforce needs.

Macomb Community College in Michigan is a prime example of a college that has leveraged partnerships to enable success in its programs - both on the academic and on the workforce side.

In this episode, we sat down with Macomb President Dr. Jim Sawyer to talk about partnerships: who colleges should be partnering with, how to build trust among employers, how to create partnerships within the school itself, and so much more.

3 Big Takeaways from this episode:

1. Build trust with regional employers by listening first: How has Macomb Community College built such strong partnerships with employers like General Motors that the company uses the college for all its incumbent training needs? By listening. Whether large employers like GM or the countless small-to-midsize employers in any college's region, instructors, deans and college administrators need to start the partnership process by going out into the community and listening to the needs of their employers.
2. World-class college value partnerships within the college, as well as external ones: Often, technical and community colleges fail to have adequate communication and collaboration between their for-credit (academic) and non-credit (workforce) sides of the institution. Instead, these programs should work together to ensure their efforts are aligned. Listen to the full episode to hear why this is so vital.
3. Partnerships should include stakeholders in industry, government, nonprofit, and the community: Macomb Community College has successfully built partnerships across the spectrum - from the Michigan Works! Association to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, from large employers like General Motors to small-and-midsize manufacturers, from the State of Michigan to the individual voters in the community. Jim shares how the efforts to build these relationships has given the college access to more resources, funding, and a larger pipeline of students.

Resources

To learn more about Macomb Community College, visit their website: https://www.macomb.edu/

Listen to our episode with Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO), referenced in this episode: Sixty by 30: Reskilling Michigan's Workforce

Connect with Macomb Community College on social media!

Facebook  |  LinkedIn  |  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  YouTube

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

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Happy new year! We're back with another edition of our annual predictions episode. Host Matt Kirchner shares the top 10 trends & technologies that will impact the world of technical education in 2023. Listen for insights, action items and strategies you should be considering as you plan out your year.

Share this episode with educators in your network who would benefit from this information!

3 Big Takeaways from this episode:

There are 10 predictions in this episode, but they can all be summed up into three major categories:

1. Economic conditions will impact education in 2023: Rising interest rates, recession, inflation, supply chain stability, and the status of the labor force will all impact education in various ways. Matt dives into what we can expect from the economy in the next 12 months and how that impacts funding for education.
2. Technological innovation will drive new curriculum in technical education: Plan to see continuing innovation in every sector of the economy - from automation and robotics, to HVAC and building systems, to transportation technology. This innovation will drive where education should be adding and adapting curriculum and courses. We know how fast technology moves - educators can use some of these insights to help keep their programs up-to-date with what's coming in 2023.
3. Approaches to traditional education will continue to be disrupted: Teacher shortages, a workforce needing rapid reskilling, massive changes in workplace technology...all of this will continue to drive disruption in how education is structured. Matt predicts a few big changes we can expect in the traditional education model as tech ed adapts to 21st century workforce needs.

Resources

Check out our 2022 predictions episode: https://techedpodcast.com/15-predictions-for-2022/

View this episode online: https://techedpodcast.com/2023

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You've seen Spot the Robot Dog on YouTube and in Superbowl commercials. Now we're talking with an expert from Boston Dynamics about how this emerging field of legged robotics is bringing Industry 4.0 to life for users.

Caleb Sylvester is an industrial applications sales manager for Boston Dynamics. He travels the globe helping customers find creative applications for robots like Spot to solve challenges like never before.

We talked with Caleb live at IMTS 2022 where Boston Dynamics and Spot had an engaging presence to learn more about this new era in robotics.

3 Big Takeaways from this episode:

1. Boston Dynamics is helping to shape human-robot interaction (HRI): Manufacturing is used to seeing 6-axis arms, delta and SCARA robots. But robots are emerging in new shapes and applications, including quadripeds like Spot the Robot Dog and Atlas the humanoid bipedal robot from Boston Dynamics. The company is investing research and marketing efforts into this concept of HRI, or human-robot interaction, helping people understand how to interact with robots as they become a more common part of our world.
2. Spot the Robot Dog is a roaming data collector: Data is king in Industry 4.0, but traditional methods of collecting data are time- and capital-intensive, like attaching sensors to ever motor, pump and bearing, or having a person walk around manually gathering data. By attaching those same sensors to Spot, the robot can autonomously walk a facility, gathering the same critical data and enabling humans to do more interesting work.
3. Quadripedal robotics are making work safer and more efficient: We discuss fascinating applications for Spot the Robot Dog. Some examples include thermal and camera sensing to detect trends and anomalies for preventative and predictive maintenance, as well as sending the robot into potentially dangerous areas to do hazardous material detection.

Resources

To learn more about Boston Dynamics, visit: https://www.bostondynamics.com/

Boston Dynamics is well known for its intriguing videos, so be sure to check out their YouTube channel!

Connect with Boston Dynamics on social media:

Facebook  |  LinkedIn  |  Instagram  |  Twitter

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

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