The TechEd Podcast

• Inside the Bipartisan Push for America’s Skilled Workforce - U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin

  How do we build bipartisan momentum to support the future of CTE?In this episode of The TechEd Podcast, host Matt Kirchner sits down with U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, a national leader and co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Career and Technical Education Caucus. Drawing from her personal upbringing in a STEM-focused household and her decades of public service, Senator Baldwin shares why CTE is essential to our economic future.Senator Baldwin offers a candid look at how federal policy is influencing the future of technical education. She discusses the uncertain outlook for funding, efforts to align apprenticeship laws with modern tech careers, and why short-term training is becoming a national priority. With clear ties to workforce needs and economic strategy, it’s a conversation grounded in both practicality and urgency.Listen to learn:Why short-term training needs to be federally funded like degree programsWhat Congress is doing to modernize U.S. apprenticeship lawsHow Buy America provisions are creating new manufacturing jobsWhy the technical college system is a key asset in attracting new industry3 Big Takeaways from this Episode:1. CTE is one of the rare policy areas with true bipartisan alignment: From Buy America provisions to workforce training, Baldwin sees common ground among lawmakers focused on economic development. She credits this unity to the shared recognition that technical education is vital to America’s industrial strength.2. Short-term training needs to be recognized in federal financial aid policy: Senator Baldwin emphasized the importance of allowing Pell Grants and other aid to support short, job-focused programs—not just two- or four-year degrees. Without this flexibility, learners may be forced to take on unnecessary debt or misrepresent their intentions just to access support.3. Apprenticeship programs must be updated to reflect today’s workforce: The National Apprenticeship Act hasn’t been reauthorized since 1937, leaving many modern industries and small businesses without a clear path to participate. Baldwin is pushing for a bipartisan update that would make it easier for employers of all sizes to offer earn-and-learn opportunities.Resources in this Episode:To learn more about Senator Tammy Baldwin, visit: www.baldwin.senate.govConnect with the Senator on Social Media:Facebook  |  Instagram  |  X  |  YouTubeWe want to hear from you! Send us a text.Instagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn

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• From the Shop Floor to the Fast Lane: How Racing, Technical Skills and Workforce Strategy Collide - Justin Mondeik, Owner & Driver at Mondeik Racing

  By day, Justin Mondeik applies his technical skills in engineering; by night and weekend, he races Super Late Model cars.From racing snowmobiles at age four to competing just one level below NASCAR, Justin has built a career on technical skill, hands-on passion, and relentless drive. In this episode, he shares how a technical education prepared him for success on and off the track—and how motorsports can help manufacturers reach the next generation of talent.In this conversation, Justin takes us inside the highly technical world of racing—from chassis dynamics and car setups to the conditioning and precision it takes to win.We explore how manufacturers are using racing sponsorships not just for brand exposure, but as a creative workforce strategy to recruit skilled, hands-on talent. It's a conversation that'll get you thinking about how education & industry can leverage ultra-creative ways to engage the next generation of workforce talent.Listen to learn:Hear what it's like to be behind the wheel of a race car, and all the unseen work that goes into winningWhy hands-on experience and technical training give racers an edgeThe science—and occasional mystery—behind setting up a winning carHow educators can leverage students' hobbies to engage them in hands-on learningHow companies can tap into motorsports to recruit the next generation of talent3 Big Takeaways from this Episode:1. Technical education can give students an edge—on and off the track. Justin’s background in mechanical design from Northcentral Technical College and Michigan Tech gives him a competitive advantage in racing—from car setup to real-time problem-solving. That same hands-on, systems-based thinking is exactly what manufacturers need in their workforce today.2. Motorsports audiences are filled with future skilled workers. Fans who show up at the track tend to be mechanically inclined, hands-on, and deeply interested in how things work—traits that align closely with careers in manufacturing, machining, and engineering. These are often the same students who thrive in tech ed programs.3. Industrial employers can benefit by getting creative with their workforce outreach strategies. One of Justin’s manufacturing sponsors used his car and race-day presence to launch a targeted hiring campaign—and successfully recruited new employees. Since there's so much overlap in racing fans and technical talent, it's a creative place for manufacturers to immerse themselves and engage with a potential workforce.Resources in this Episode:Connect with Justin Mondeik Racing: https://www.justinmondeikracing.com/Connect with Justin on Social Media:Facebook  |  Instagram  |  X  |  TikTokWe want to hear from you! Send us a text.Instagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn

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• Changing Tariffs Will Impact Technical Education—Here’s What to Do About It

  What do tariffs have to do with technical education? A lot more than you might think.As U.S. trade policy shifts, it’s not just manufacturers who will feel the effects—STEM and technical education programs will too. From rising equipment costs to a surge in demand for skilled talent, today’s tariff decisions could reshape how we train tomorrow’s workforce.In this episode, Matt Kirchner explores five critical ways that educators should be preparing for the ripple effects of tariffs. It’s a wake-up call to start thinking strategically, update your curriculum, and make sure your students are ready for a world where automation, AI, and global trade all converge in the classroom.Listen to learn:Why technical training programs should expect price hikes—and how to budget for themHow trade policy is accelerating the need for AI and automation educationWhat states will soon be looking for when they invest in workforce developmentWhy traditional “shop class” thinking won’t cut it in a high-tech economyHow to scenario-plan your way through policy uncertainty5 Big Takeaways from this Episode:Tariffs will accelerate the return of manufacturing—and increase demand for skilled talent. As reshoring continues, manufacturers will need more trained workers than ever before. Technical education programs must be ready to scale up and supply that talent.The jobs aren’t coming back the way they left—they’re far more automated. Modern manufacturing is built on robotics, sensors, and smart systems. Educators must pivot from legacy skills to training in advanced automation technologies.Artificial intelligence is becoming central to every technical career. AI is transforming how work gets done across industries, including manufacturing. Students need exposure to data systems, machine learning, and the edge-to-cloud continuum now.Expect rising equipment costs—and budget accordingly. Tariffs will drive up prices on imported training tools and components. Programs should prepare for 10–15% increases and act early to avoid disruption.State funding is likely to grow—but only for programs that can prove results. As federal education policy shifts to the states, workforce funding will follow. Educators who can demonstrate strong pipelines to high-skill jobs will be the ones who get funded.Resources in this Episode:Book: Genesis: Artificial Intelligence, Hope, and the Human SpiritDeloitte study on manufacturing workforce gapsJamie Dimon, JPMorgan Chairman & CEO, "As always, we hope for the best but prepare the Firm for a wide range of scenarios.”Other episodes mentioned:What Rising Tariffs Mean for Companies, Workers, and the Future of Trade,John Murphy - Vice President and Head of International, U.S. ChWe want to hear from you! Send us a text.Instagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn

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• AI Regulation Can Wait—But Education Reform Can’t - State Senator Julian Bradley

  State Senator Julian Bradley joins Matt Kirchner for a wide-ranging conversation on how policymakers should be thinking about AI, energy, and education. Bradley explains why his committee chose not to recommend regulation of AI, how this move differs from other states, and how artificial intelligence could help solve workforce shortages in critical sectors like healthcare, public safety, and manufacturing.The conversation also explores the future of nuclear energy as a clean, scalable power source—especially as data centers and advanced industries drive up demand. Bradley shares his push for small modular reactors and the bipartisan momentum behind nuclear innovation. Finally, the two dive into K-12 education, taking on literacy rates, school choice, and why high schools need a complete overhaul to actually prepare students for life after graduation. Whether you’re an educator, policymaker, or industry leader, this episode offers practical insights into the policy decisions shaping our future workforce.In this episode:Why one state senator believes not regulating AI may be the smartest moveHow artificial intelligence could help solve labor shortages from childcare to healthcareWhat policymakers are missing about nuclear energy—and why that’s about to changeWhy our current education system is setting students up to fail, and what to do insteadHow a wrestling ring, a mother’s wisdom, and a literacy-first mindset shaped a political career3 Big Takeaways from this Episode:Regulating artificial intelligence requires caution, context, and a long-term view: Senator Bradley led a legislative study committee on the regulation of AI and ultimately chose not to recommend new regulation, citing the risk of stifling innovation and creating barriers for businesses. Drawing on testimony from sectors like healthcare, public safety, and education, the committee focused instead on building a knowledge base for future legislative action—prioritizing flexibility over rushed policymaking.Meeting future energy demand will require bold thinking and bipartisan cooperation: With AI, data centers, and industry driving massive increases in power needs, Bradley is pushing Wisconsin to embrace nuclear energy as a scalable, clean solution. He outlines current efforts to support small modular reactors, prepare regulatory frameworks, and position the state as a leader in 21st-century energy policy.Education reform must focus on real-world readiness, from literacy to life skills: Bradley calls for a complete overhaul of high school—moving away from rigid grade levels toward personalized, career-connected learning. He also stresses that without strong literacy skills, students can’t access opportunity, and that solving academic gaps early is essential to preparing engaged citizens and a capable workforce.Resources in this Episode:Learn more about Senator Julian BradleyLearn about the work of the 2024 Legislative Council Study Committee on the Regulation of Artificial IntelligenceWe want to hear from you! Send us a text.Instagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn

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• The 50/50 University Model that Leaves Grads with 2.5 Years of Work Experience and $75k - Dr. Robert McMahan, President of Kettering University

  Is the traditional university model failing today’s students—and the industries that depend on them?Dr. Robert McMahan, President of Kettering University, shares a bold, workforce-driven vision for higher education.From co-op rotations that give students 2.5 years of paid, professional experience before graduation, to integrating trends like artificial intelligence and sustainability across all disciplines, McMahan outlines what it takes to future-proof students for a rapidly evolving economy—and why most institutions will fall behind if they don’t evolve now.In this episode:Why Kettering students graduate with 2.5 years of paid, full-time professional experience—and often earn $75,000+ before they even walk the stageHow a 12-week rotation model between classroom and career builds both technical mastery and real-world adaptabilityWhat five interdisciplinary trends are shaping the future of Kettering’s curriculumWhy McMahan says the real customer of higher education isn’t the student or their family—and how that changes how we deliver learning3 Big Takeaways from this Episode:1. Kettering University’s 50/50 model gives students 2.5 years of paid, professional work experienceThrough alternating 12-week rotations between classroom and career, students graduate with a résumé that rivals experienced professionals—and often $75,000+ in earnings.2. The university continuously evolves its curriculum around five workplace-driven trendsEvery discipline includes elements of advanced mobility, sustainable energy, intelligent manufacturing, AI, and new engineering vehicles—keeping students aligned with real-world needs.3. McMahan redefines who the true customer of higher education isIt’s not just the student—it’s the employer who hires them. By working with over 450 industry partners, Kettering ensures its grads are future-ready and in high demand.Resources in this Episode:Learn more about Kettering University's model: https://www.kettering.edu/co-op-experienceSee what companies have partnered with Kettering.Read Genesis: Artificial Intelligence, Hope and the Human Spirit by Henry Kissinger, Eric Schmidt and Craig MundieWe want to hear from you! Send us a text.Instagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn

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