Workforce 4.0

In this episode of Workforce 4.0, host Ann Wyatt speaks with Clay Martin, founder of Isla Talent, a recruiting company focused on connecting job seekers from Puerto Rico with manufacturing companies in need of labor. They discuss the challenges of labor shortages, the importance of bridging cultural gaps, and the evolving landscape of recruitment in the manufacturing sector. Clay shares insights from his experience in the Peace Corps and how it shaped his entrepreneurial journey, as well as the impact of technology on the future of work. The conversation highlights the need for innovative thinking in recruitment and the importance of understanding the emotional needs of employees.

In This Episode:

-00:00: Introduction To Workforce 4.0

-00:30: Welcoming Clay Martin, Founder of Isla Search To Workforce 4.0

-05:06: Finding Purpose Driven Work By Founding Isla Search

-05:22: Defining Cultural Significance From Clay's Humanitarian Work

-06:06: Bridging The Talent Gap Through Innovative Pipelines

-08:36: Stories of Servant Leadership

-10:03: From Peace Corps To Founder

-11:34: Tips For Creating A More Sustainable Workforce

-14:32: Overcoming Real World Recruitment Challenges

-15:24: The Role of AI In Recruiting

-17:13: AI Agency In Recruitment

-19:39: Assessing Future Workforce Skills

-21:57: Success Stories and Community Impact

-24:24: Final Thoughts And Connecting With Clay

More About Clay:

Clay Martin is the founder of Isla Talent, a Puerto Rican Recruiting company. He has over a decade of experience recruiting from Puerto Rico. Since there are no visas needed he can place 10-20 employees in weeks. His career began with a 4 year stint in the Peace Corps working and living with indigenous communities in Latin America. To learn more about Clay, connect with him here.

The Future of Work (and this Episode) Is Brought To You By Secchi:

Secchi is a revolutionary workforce engagement tool created for organizations to make data-driven frontline decisions in real-time. By measuring and combining multiple people-related lead indicators, Secchi provides in-the-moment visibility into individual frontline employee performance, team performance, engagement/turnover risks, and positive employee behaviors all while removing the traditional barriers of administrative burden on leaders. To learn more about Secchi, check them out here.

This conversation delves into the innovative manufacturing processes at Horn, highlighting the importance of collaboration, customer relationships, and adaptability in the tooling industry. The speakers share their experiences and insights on how Horn's commitment to quality and rapid delivery sets them apart in a competitive market. They discuss the significance of continuous improvement and the company culture that fosters trust and teamwork among employees and customers alike.

In This Episode:

-00:00: Welcoming Horn USA Back To Workforce 4.0

-06:23: Horn GmbH's Next Level Customer Experience

-10:42: Investing In American Made Products

-13:54: The Impact Of Shorter Lead Times On CX

-16:50: Sharing The Power of Customer Success

-20:44: Winning Through Collaboration

-23:36: Cutting Time, Not Quality

-26:18: The Blueprint For Building An Innovative Product

-31:47: Career Opportunities and Growth At Horn

-36:08: Conclusion and Contact Information

More About Bryan Winterlin, Eric Carbone and Todd DeMeyer:

Brian, Eric and Todd are all members of the Horn USA Outside Sales team that spend their days working directly with Horn's customers to provide innovative and quality solutions for their machining needs. Covering territory all throughout the United States, connect and learn more about each of these sales rockstars and what Horn USA can do for you here:

Bryan Winterlin | Eric Carbone | Todd DeMeyer

In this episode of the Workforce 4.0 podcast, host Ann Wyatt interviews Carrie Giles, National President of ACTE, about the critical work in pipeline talent development. They discuss the importance of bridging the skills gap in the manufacturing industry, the significance of soft skills, and how partnerships between employers and educational institutions can enhance career and technical education (CTE). The conversation highlights the changing perceptions of manufacturing careers and the need for early exposure to various career paths for students. Carrie and Ann also exchange their ideas on parental buy in for the next generation of the manufacturing workforce and give specific examples of how private companies are taking ownership of their future talent pipelines through their own customized training and curriculum offered through local CTEs.

In This Episode:

-00:00: Workforce 4.0 Podcast Intro

-00:30: Welcoming Carrie Giles, National President, ACTE

-05:42: Bridging the Skills Gap in Education

-05:45: Reflecting On The Current Manufacturing Skills Gap

-07:56: ACTE'S Mission: Uniting Companies With Future Talent

-11:03: Advantages In Work Based Learning

-13:55: Trends In Education For The Future of Work

-17:03: Customized Training Through Employer Led Education

-21:05: Impact Of Retention Rates And Work Based Learning

-22:19: Gaining Parental Buy In On Manufacturing Careers

-24:20: Final Takeaways On the Power Of ACTE Relationships

-26:32: Workforce 4.0 Outro

More About Carrie Giles:

Carrie Giles has 19 years of experience working in secondary and post-secondary education. She currently serves as the National Board President for the Association for Career and Technical Education. For the past twelve years, she has served as the Central Region Chief Administrator at Central Ohio Technical College. Carrie is a graduate of Ashland University, ACTE’s National Leadership Fellowship and Post-Secondary Leadership Programs, Ohio’s Shoemaker CTE Institute, and The National Career Pathway Network’s (NCPN) Leadership Development Academy. Giles previously served as ACTE’s Region 1 VP and Past President for The Ohio’s Career-Technical Administrator’s Association. She also serves on ACTE’s Region 1 Policy and Conference Planning Committees and a mentor for new ACTE Board Members and ACTE Leadership Fellows. Learn more about Carrie and connect with her here.

The Future of Work (and this Episode) Is Brought To You By Secchi:

Secchi is a revolutionary workforce engagement tool created for organizations to make data-driven frontline decisions in real-time. By measuring and combining multiple people-related lead indicators, Secchi provides in-the-moment visibility into individual frontline employee performance, team performance, engagement/turnover risks, and positive employee behaviors all while removing the traditional barriers of administrative burden on leaders. To learn more about Secchi, check them out here.

How do we leverage MEPs and Labor Data in helping us at accelerating the up-skilling of our manufacturing workforce? In this episode of Workforce 4.0, host Ann Wyatt speaks with Molly Lenty, COO of Vessel, about the critical role of workforce development in manufacturing. They discuss the importance of labor market information, the challenges of workforce deficits, and the need for collaboration among various stakeholders to build effective training pathways. The conversation highlights the impact of re-shoring and near-shoring on local economies and the necessity of engaging youth in manufacturing careers. Molly shares insights on how Vessel is leveraging data to support manufacturers and improve workforce initiatives. When it comes to the manufacturing workforce of tomorrow, the message is clear- be relentless.

In This Episode:

-00:00: Workforce 4.0 Show Intro

-00:30: Welcoming Molly Lenty From Vessel To Workforce 4.0

-06:00: Creating Confidence In The Manufacturing Supply Chain

-08:45: The Role Of MEPs In Supporting Local Manufacturing

-11:38: Understanding Labor Market Information

-12:09: Creating Stronger Talent and Supply Pipelines Through LMI

-17:00: Analyzing The Business of Manufacturing Suppliers

-19:16: Identifying Challenges in ReShoring And Near Shoring

-22:15: Success In Florida: Leveraging Data For Growth

-23:35: Creating Pathways for Future Workforce

-28:23: Final Takeaways: Just Be Relentless

-29:39: Connecting With Molly Lenty And Vessel

-30:49: Workforce 4.0 Outro

More About Molly Lenty:

As the COO of Vessel, Molly leverages her passion for manufacturing through her expertise in internal program development, strategic ideation, communications, leading global initiatives across an enterprise organization, managing diverse teams, data analytics to drive outcomes, directing multi-million dollar strategic investments and an extensive portfolio of external community and business leadership with experience in diversity, equity, and inclusion program design and implementation. Also serving as Chair Of The Board Of Trustees at the College of Western Idaho, Molly has a demonstrated history of working within the full continuum of education. Learn more about Molly and connect with her here.

The Future of Work (and this Episode) Is Brought To You By Secchi:

Secchi is a revolutionary workforce engagement tool created for organizations to make data-driven frontline decisions in real-time. By measuring and combining multiple people-related lead indicators, Secchi provides in-the-moment visibility into individual frontline employee performance, team performance, engagement/turnover risks, and positive employee behaviors all while removing the traditional barriers of administrative burden on leaders. To learn more about Secchi, check them out here.

In this episode of Workforce 4.0, host Ann Wyatt speaks with Josh Ebert, Curriculum Development Manager at A3 Association for Advancing Automation. Ann and Josh go in depth about the evolving landscape of educational content and its impact on workforce development. They discuss, at length, the importance of on-demand learning, the shift in perceptions around career technical education, and the need for rapid updates in educational content to keep pace with industry changes. The conversation also touches on the skills gap, the dilemma of advanced degrees versus hands-on experience, and strategies for companies to attract and retain talent through internships and real-world experience. Whether you're pursuing a career in manufacturing, or a company eager to learn more about the real ROI of developing educational content for your business, this is a must listen episode.

In This Episode:

-00:00: Introduction to The Workforce 4.0 Podcast

-00:30: Welcoming Josh Ebert, A3, To Workforce 4.0

-08:14: An Intro To A3's Content Creation

-16:15: The Call To Change Perceptions of Education

-18:51: The Challenge of Recruiting Fresh Graduates

-21:23: Adapting To Critical Workforce Needs Beyond Advanced Education

-24:15: Navigating the Skills Gap in Manufacturing

-27:02: In Manufacturing, Real Experience Matters Most

-35:50: Connecting The Dots Between Future Generations And Businesses

-37:16: Final Takeaway: Partnering With Companies To Invest In Our Youth

-38:54: Final Thoughts And Point of Contact

-39:53: Podcast Outro

More About Josh Ebert

Josh Ebert is the Curriculum Development Manager at the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), where he works to create practical, engaging training for today’s rapidly evolving workforce. His unique career path—spanning media production, K–12 education, and digital workforce development—gives him a creative and well-rounded perspective on how people learn and adapt throughout their careers. Having navigated his own career transitions and picked up new skills along the way, Josh brings a personal understanding to the process of reskilling. At A3, he focuses on building accessible online programs that help employers and workers stay ahead of automation, AI, and other emerging technologies.

The Future of Work (and this Episode) Is Brought To You By Secchi:

Secchi is a revolutionary workforce engagement tool created for organizations to make data-driven frontline decisions in real-time. By measuring and combining multiple people-related lead indicators, Secchi provides in-the-moment visibility into individual frontline employee performance, team performance, engagement/turnover risks, and positive employee behaviors all while removing the traditional barriers of administrative burden on leaders. To learn more about Secchi, check them out here.

In this episode of Workforce 4.0, host Ann Wyatt interviews Michael Maxwell, the operations manager at Horn USA. They discuss the unique digital processes that enable Horn as a major player in customized tooling manufacturing and provide a blueprint for moving forward in Industry 4.0. They also discuss the origin story of Horn GmbH and Horn USA, the importance of open source solutions to process ownership, and the unique way that digitizing processes like their ERP system has led to better customer insights and customer service. Michael shares insights on the future of work, workforce development, and the role of technology in enhancing manufacturing efficiency.

In This Episode:

-00:00: Welcoming Horn To Workforce 4.0

-02:16: The Origin Story of Horn GmbH

-06:08: Horn USA's Innovation Through Industry 4.0

-12:45: Providing Customized Solutions

-15:22: Technology Days: Showcasing Digital Transformation

-16:50: The ROI of Industry 4.0

-18:22: The Industry 4.0 Blueprint

-24:41: Adopting Technology At Scale

-28:47: Shaping The Future of Work

-39:17: The Future of Horn USA

-43:57: Conclusion And Contacting Horn USA

More About Michael Maxwell And Horn USA

Michael Maxwell currently serves as the Operations Manager for Horn USA based in Franklin, TN. After transitioning out of his career in IT consulting, Michael joined Horn USA and has been instrumental in developing key processes that have remained critical to driving quality and production for Horn's increasing line of customized tooling parts. To date, Paul Horn GmbH is In 70 countries on all continents, companies in the automotive, chemicals, aerospace, medical and tool and mould making industries manufacture using precision tools from Paul Horn GmbH. Their core competences are based on four pillars: their own research and development department, their own coating technology, their own carbide production and their own manufacturing technologies. To learn more about Michael, connect with him here. To learn more about Horn USA, check their page out here.

Welcome to a special episode of Workforce 4.0 as your host, Ann Wyatt shares conversations from behind the scenes of the 2025 Automate Show in Detroit, MI. This conversation explores the critical themes of workforce development in manufacturing, the impact of technology and automation, gender dynamics in STEM fields, and the future of work. Ann Wyatt meets this week's special guests to discuss the importance of training and education in bridging the skills gap, the role of technological innovations in enhancing manufacturing processes, and the need for greater female representation in engineering and technical roles. The dialogue emphasizes the shift towards a more human-centric approach in manufacturing, where robots handle dangerous and tedious tasks, allowing humans to focus on creativity and problem-solving.

In This Episode:

00:00: Introduction to This Week's Episode

01:43: Dirac's New Partnerships and Industry Focus

03:11: Empowering the Frontline Workforce with Technology

07:20: Introduction to Light Guide AR/VR Solution

07:46: Demonstration of AR/VR in Manufacturing

11:56: Benefits of AR/VR for Operators

12:16: Introduction to Fanuc's Workforce Development Initiatives

14:19: Opportunities in Manufacturing Careers

16:39: The Importance of Hands-On Learning

19:38: Gender Dynamics in STEM Fields

20:48: The Future of Work and Automation

26:00: Wrap-Up of Automate Show Interviews

26:51: Looking Ahead to Season Nine

More About This Week's Guests:

Filip Aronshtein, Dirac: A previous Workforce 4.0 alum, Filip Aronshtein is an avid believer that the foundation of the West was forged upon its capacity to build. And as the Founder of Dirac, Fil is a firm believer that empowering engineers with digital tools and combining digital work instructions with CAD will get us closer to building. To learn more about Fil and his mission, connect with him here.

Marina Fietsam, LightGuide: Marina is currently serving as an Account Executive for LightGuide. LightGuide's CEO, Paul Ryznar was also featured on the podcast as part of Season 5 Episode 5. You can revisit Paul's full episode on his passion for people and technology here.

Joe Baldiga, Fanuc: Joe currently serves as the National Account Manager for CNC Education and Workforce Development with FANUC. To learn more about Joe and the educational solutions provided by Fanuc, connect with Joe here.

The Future of Work (and this Episode) Is Brought To You By Secchi:

Secchi is a revolutionary workforce engagement tool created for organizations to make data-driven frontline decisions in real-time. By measuring and combining multiple people-related lead indicators, Secchi provides in-the-moment visibility into individual frontline employee performance, team performance, engagement/turnover risks, and positive employee behaviors all while removing the traditional barriers of administrative burden on leaders. To learn more about Secchi, check them out here.

In this episode of Workforce 4.0, host Ann Wyatt sits down with longtime mentor and client, Bryan Clarity, VP of HR at Assa Abloy Entrance Systems. They discuss the importance of Human Resources in manufacturing, the impact of technology and automation on job roles, challenges in workforce training and development, and effective recruitment strategies in a competitive labor market. Bryan shares insights on creating a positive workplace culture and the significance of employee engagement in attracting and retaining talent. Most importantly, these two analyze the true potential for collaboration between Human Resources and Operations that build world renowned manufacturing cultures and drive business succession initiatives.

In This Episode:

-1:24: The Role of HR in Manufacturing

-05:28: Technology and Job Automation in HR

-13:29: Training and Workforce Development Challenges

-18:06: Recruitment Strategies in a Competitive Market

-22:37: Conclusion and Future Connections

More About Bryan Clardy:

With 25 years of HR experience in various industries, including heavy manufacturing, pet food, and packaging, Bryan has successfully executed multiple M&A projects, both as a buyer and a seller, working closely with private equity firms and other stakeholders. Bryan is passionate about creating high-performance work systems that foster employee engagement, collaboration, and innovation, while ensuring compliance, efficiency, and quality. To learn more about Bryan, connect with him here.

The Future of Work (and this Episode) Is Brought To You By Secchi:

Secchi is a revolutionary workforce engagement tool created for organizations to make data-driven frontline decisions in real-time. By measuring and combining multiple people-related lead indicators, Secchi provides in-the-moment visibility into individual frontline employee performance, team performance, engagement/turnover risks, and positive employee behaviors all while removing the traditional barriers of administrative burden on leaders. To learn more about Secchi, check them out here.

In this conversation, Ann Wyatt interviews Ken Macken, founder of Worker Labs, discussing the evolution of manufacturing, the challenges of workforce recruitment, and the future of jobs in the industry. Ken shares insights on the need for engaging work, the importance of technology in removing mundane tasks, and the vision behind his company aimed at making robotics more accessible. He emphasizes the significance of understanding customer needs and creating products that solve real problems, while also addressing the barriers to technology adoption in manufacturing. In this conversation, Ken and Ann discuss the transformative potential of robotics and automation in manufacturing, emphasizing the importance of user-friendly interfaces that require no prior training. They explore the need for a more engaged workforce and the opportunities that arise from making technology accessible to a broader audience. The discussion also highlights the significance of community collaboration and networking in driving innovation and change within the industry.

In This Episode:

-05:05: The Evolution of Manufacturing and Robotics

-10:01: Workforce Challenges and Recruitment in Manufacturing

-14:58: The Future of Jobs in Manufacturing

-19:58: Overcoming Technology Adoption Barriers

-24:50: The Vision Behind Worker Labs

-30:09: Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs in Manufacturing

-38:59: Empowering Robotics Through User-Friendly Interfaces

-41:06: Revolutionizing Workforce Engagement in Manufacturing

More About Ken:

Born and raised in Australia, Ken Macken has called the United States his home for some time now. As a degreed Mechanical Engineer, Ken started out in machining in manufacturing and over the past 20 years has sought to bring real solutions to manufacturing companies struggling to implement technology. That is why Ken and his CoFounder Ric started their company, Workr Labs. Workr Labs, is building Manufacturing AI that gives industrial robots the ability to learn new tasks in minutes—no coding, no cloud, just powerful software enabling smarter hardware that enables manufacturers to compete globally. To learn more about Ken, connect with him here.

The Future of Work (and this Episode) Is Brought To You By Secchi:

Secchi is a revolutionary workforce engagement tool created for organizations to make data-driven frontline decisions in real-time. By measuring and combining multiple people-related lead indicators, Secchi provides in-the-moment visibility into individual frontline employee performance, team performance, engagement/turnover risks, and positive employee behaviors all while removing the traditional barriers of administrative burden on leaders. To learn more about Secchi, check them out here.

In this conversation, Kence Anderson, Founder and CEO of Composable sits down with host, Ann Wyatt, to discusses the critical role of AI in manufacturing. From the looming retirement crisis to the critical need for preserving tribal knowledge, Kence shares why AI, machine teaching, and innovative workforce training are more essential than ever. He highlights how manufacturers can empower engineers and operators, ensure business continuity, and build a future-ready workforce. Kence shares insights on overcoming talent challenges and offers advice for tenured manufacturing executives on the best ways they can leverage AI for the future of work and advice for early career professionals navigating their paths in the industry, alike.

In This Episode:

-00:00: Introduction to Kence Anderson and Composable

-02:51: The Importance of Preserving Tribal Knowledge

-06:42: Empowering Engineers and Workforce Development

-10:40: AI in Manufacturing: Bridging the Skills Gap

-18:34: Business Continuity and Legacy in Manufacturing

-22:29: Machine Teaching: A New Approach to Training

-29:01: Overcoming Talent Challenges in Manufacturing

-36:28: Kence's Journey and Advice for Early Career Professionals

More About Kence:

As our CEO and Founder of Composabl, Kence is a pioneering autonomous AI leveraging his deep expertise in the industrial sector. With a background in mechanical engineering and a passion for teaching, Kence has authored the book, "Designing Autonomous AI," along with having developed courses for the University of Washington and the Association for Advancing Automation. Previously the Director of Autonomous AI Adoption at Microsoft and the lead customer engineer for Bonsai (acquired by Microsoft), Anderson has spearheaded the creation of over 200 autonomous AI systems for commercial applications. Anderson's unparalleled talent lies in integrating human expertise with AI principles, exemplified by the innovative multi-agent orchestration platform he has developed with the Machine Teaching Methodology as the foundation of the platform architecture. Motivated by the desire to empower the 100M industry machine engineers, Anderson and the Composabl team developed a groundbreaking no-code production-ready AI Agent Builder tool kit. This enables operators and engineers to build "Intelligent Agents" that the engineer can teach to solve nuanced and real-world problems that supersede the current capabilities of manufacturing floor automation. To learn more about Kence, connect with him here.

The Future of Work (and this Episode) Is Brought To You By Secchi:

Secchi is a revolutionary workforce engagement tool created for organizations to make data-driven frontline decisions in real-time. By measuring and combining multiple people-related lead indicators, Secchi provides in-the-moment visibility into individual frontline employee performance, team performance, engagement/turnover risks, and positive employee behaviors all while removing the traditional barriers of administrative burden on leaders. To learn more about Secchi, check them out here.