Show Notes
Originally filmed Oct 24, 2024
How does the "Tool Belt Diva," Melanie Flowers, transform her passion for building into groundbreaking workforce development strategies?
Today on Austin Hires Local, Tamara Atkinson welcomes Melanie Flowers, board member of Workforce Solutions Capital Area and recently-appointed board officer for the National Association of Workforce Boards, to talk about the vital role of apprenticeships and the benefits of the ‘earn-and-learn model’ for both workers and businesses. Apprenticeship programs strike a careful balance between providing a valuable education and respecting the apprentice’s time and financial responsibilities to help shape a skilled workforce.
Looking out on a national scale, the same challenges exist across many workforce boards in urban and rural landscapes. The reauthorization of the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) bears significant implications for funding workforce initiatives. Considering potential shifts in federal priorities after the elections, there is a need for ongoing support and adaptability to meet evolving community needs. Join us as we uncover the dynamic intersection of education, economy, and opportunity and explore innovative strategies reshaping the workforce landscape.
Melanie Flowers - With over 25 years of experience in corporate training and workforce development, Melanie is currently the Chief Workforce Strategy Officer at Craft Education, an education technology leader focused on apprentice-based programs. She has previously served as VP of Industry Partnerships at Pathful, Inc. and Senior Manager of Technical Training at Samsung Austin Semiconductor. Melanie is an active board member and former chair of Workforce Solutions Capital Area and Skillpoint Alliance and recently joined the National Association of Workforce Boards as a board officer. She holds numerous certifications and is a respected industry thought leader.
In This Episode:
- (00:00) Introduction of guest Melanie Flowers, unofficial title of “The Tool Belt Diva”, building the podcast set for Austin Hires Local
- (04:43) Why Melanie is a champion for apprenticeship in her professional roles, and why apprenticeship is a proven way to support workers and meet business needs, debunking narrow perceptions of apprenticeship -- how more non-traditional industries are adopting earn-and-learn models
- (07:00) Registered apprenticeship programs vs non-registered apprenticeship programs, how funding can be available for both, and what business leaders should know if they're on the fence or never considered adopting an apprenticeship model
- (09:00) Melanie's journey to becoming a board member with Workforce Solutions Capital Area
- (10:55) Industry sector partnership impact and uncovering surprising ways Workforce Solutions can help, advice for anyone interested in getting involved
- (18:00) “Rose, bud, and thorn" from Melanie's unique national vantage point as board officer for the National Association of Workforce Boards, including “thorn” of the WIOA (Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act) federal funding reauthorization.
- (22:00) Recognizing that childcare is a massive part of workforce training
- (25:00) Melanie's vision for a successful workforce development ecosystem, including starting earlier in schools -- even as young as kindergarten
- Like and subscribe to hear all of our informative upcoming episodes!
About the show:
Austin Hires Local, powered by Workforce Solutions Capital Area and hosted by WFS CEO Tamara Atkinson, dives deep with the trailblazers who are shaping the future of jobs in our city, our state, and even nationally. We pull back the curtain on the challenges we all face – the anxieties, the roadblocks, and what's holding us back from filling those critical open positions. But hey, it's not all doom and gloom. We also celebrate the victories: the ingenious solutions, the unexpected collaborations, and the best practices that are making us all sharper. You’ll hear guests from all sides of the table – elected officials with a finger on the pulse of the economy, industry leaders from booming sectors like tech, healthcare, and skilled trades, and educators shaping young minds in our schools and post-secondary education programs. So, tune in and get ready to be informed, inspired, and maybe even surprised by the future of work in Austin.
Resources:
Melanie Flowers LinkedIn
Workforce Solutions Capital Area
Workforce Solutions Capital Area apprenticeships webpage
Tamara Atkinson LinkedIn
Thank you to our sponsor: Texas Mutual
About Workforce Solutions Capital Area:
Workforce Solutions is the state-designated authority for the data-driven planning, oversight, and evaluation of workforce development activities in Austin-Travis County. They connect local people to the most in-demand industries with quality jobs. These specialized services are provided at no cost - including career training, apprenticeship programs, scholarships, job search assistance, child care assistance, tailored business solutions and more.
