As industries electrify—from EVs to critical infrastructure—the demand for skilled talent is skyrocketing. But how do we break down barriers to entry and ensure that the workforce of tomorrow is ready? In this episode, Barbara is joined by Dr. Scott Ralls, President, Wake Tech Community College. Dr. Ralls shares lessons learned and insights from his experience guiding Wake Tech’s innovative strategies connecting workforce and education opportunities. He highlights a variety of solutions, from registered apprenticeship programs to new fast-track training courses, helping students to "ladder up" into promising careers. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about how partnerships, education, and hands-on training are lighting the way for the next generation of workers.

Show notes:

EVeryone Charging Forward™ - Building a workforce for the growing American EV charging sector.

Unique New Program Trains Technicians in EV Charging Stations

Siemens invests $36 million in Wendell, NC to elevate customer experience, advance training, boost manufacturing, and strengthen sustainability efforts

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How is clean technology transforming American manufacturing? In this episode, we explore a groundbreaking industrial microgrid project at Siemens’ Wendell, NC factory that’s rewriting the rules of how factories operate. Brian Dula, President of the Electrification and Automation business at Siemens Smart Infrastructure USA, shares how Siemens’ $36 million investment in Wendell is not only improving efficiency but also creating new career opportunities.

We uncover how clean tech and electrification aren’t just about sustainability—they’re driving real business advantages and shaping the future of American industry. Whether you’re in policy, on the factory floor, in tech, or just curious about the future of energy, this conversation will challenge everything you thought you knew about manufacturing.

AI copilots have changed a range of professions, from healthcare to finance, by automating tasks and enhancing productivity. But can copilots also create value for people performing more mechanical, hands-on tasks or figuring out how to bring factories online? In this episode, Barbara welcomes Olympia Brikis, Director of AI Research at Siemens, to show how generative AI is shaping new industrial tech jobs at the convergence of the real and digital worlds. Olympia sheds light on the unique career opportunities in AI and what it takes to thrive in this dynamic, emerging field. Whether you're a tech enthusiast or someone curious about tech careers, this episode offers a unique perspective on how AI is reshaping the landscape of mechanical and industrial professions. Tune in to learn about the exciting innovations and the future of AI in industry!

Show notes

In this episode, Barbara asks Olympia to share some resources that can help all of us get smarter on industrial AI. Here are Olympia's recommendations:

For everyone just getting started with (Generative) AI:

Elements of AI – great for learning how AI work and what it is

https://www.elementsofai.com/

Generative AI for Everyone:

https://www.coursera.org/learn/generative-ai-for-everyone

Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI, by Ethan Mollick

For those want to dive deeper into the technical aspects of Deep Neural Networks and Generative AI:

Deep Learning Specialization:

https://www.coursera.org/specializations/deep-learning

Stanford University Lecture CS336: Language Modeling from Scratch

https://stanford-cs336.github.io/spring2024/