The Winning Strategy

This podcast episode discusses the equity indicators and gaps analysis conducted by the City of Bozeman in partnership with TPMA. It provides background on what prompted this effort, including internal reviews of policies and procedures around issues like the use of force. Discover how the findings directly informed the development of Bozeman's new equity and inclusion plan called "Belonging in Bozeman," a 3-5 year plan to address those inequity issue areas through coordinated strategies, goals, and recommendations. 

This podcast episode highlights collaborative approaches to expanding registered apprenticeships and work-based learning across Eastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania. You'll hear about partnerships formed between workforce entities, education, and employers to increase apprenticeship opportunities, especially for small and mid-sized manufacturers. Discover insights into effective collaboration to grow apprenticeships and build career pathways for the region's workforce.

This episode examines the connection between childcare, the workforce, and the economy. Discover how the current childcare system is failing parents, workers, and business owners. You'll hear an expert explain the methodology he created to quantify the economic impact of providing accessible and affordable childcare to enable willing parents to return to work, and the financial case for public investment in childcare as critical workforce infrastructure.

In this episode, you'll learn about the Achieving Postsecondary Attainment Initiative launched by The Don Wood Foundation, Questa Education Foundation, and TPMA. Discover the purpose of the initiative and the need to advance postsecondary education awareness, access, enrollment, and completion in Northwest Indiana. You'll also hear about the outcomes of the initiative, why The Don Wood Foundation and Questa Education Foundation decided to partner with TPMA and the unique aspects of this initiative.   

This episode features a conversation with Dr. Renee Setari, Senior Consultant at TPMA, as she discusses social network analysis and how it can help you better understand your organization. Dr. Setari defines social network analysis and gives examples of how it can be applied by organizations.         

This episode features a conversation with Michael Martin Drain, Director of Career Coaching and Special Projects at Ivy Tech Community College. Michael discusses details about the ELEVATE: Change Starts Here program, which provides justice-involved individuals access to high-quality education and/or training, community resources, and wrap-around services to help reduce the recidivism rate from a holistic approach. Discover the importance of ensuring that justice-involved individuals are able to successfully reintegrate into their communities.   

Kim Meadows, Training Director for the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP), joins the program to provide an overview of her organization and the ways in which NAWDP helps workforce professionals grow and innovate. Kim reveals some of the training opportunities available through NAWDP and discusses details about an upcoming Youth Symposium. For more information, visit: https://www.nawdp.org/     

In this episode, you'll learn about some common misconceptions about the manufacturing industry, and how to access customizable training that prepares individuals to work in manufacturing. Discover what makes manufacturing a great career option for individuals who may not want to pursue a college degree and the various types of manufacturing careers that are available. 

In this episode, you'll hear about why accessibility is an important piece of an organization's diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. Discover what aspects of accessibility typically get lost when implementing initiatives. You'll also learn about practices to help increase awareness of accessibility in the workplace.     

In this episode, you'll hear details about The CHIPS and Science Act (The Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors and Science Act of 2022). The act is intended to strengthen American manufacturing, supply chains, and national security, and invest in research and development, science and technology, and the workforce of the future to keep the United States the leader in the industries of tomorrow, including nanotechnology, clean energy, quantum computing, and artificial intelligence. Discover the impact that the bill will have on rural communities, the organizations that should start preparing for this opportunity, and the challenges that may face smaller and medium-sized regions. 

Access to affordable high-speed internet is crucial issue for workforce and economic development, particularly for rural areas. In this episode, you'll hear about overview about the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program and the eligible use of funds. Discover the connection between digital equity and workforce development and the efforts underway to build a talent pipeline in the telecommunications industry.   

In this episode you'll hear about Prince George's County in Maryland and their new division created to support returning citizens. Discover some of the most common barriers that returning citizens face and the importance of mental health and addiction services. You'll also hear about how and why Prince George's County is creating an ecosystem to support returning citizens and the importance of coordinating with other agencies.      

In this episode, you'll hear details about TPMA's report, The State of the Workforce in Manufacturing: An American Industry Outlook. Discover why the research behind the report was initiated and takeaways from the report. You'll hear about how the United States is going through a manufacturing renaissance and the innovation that's occurring in the industry. You'll also learn about some of the misperceptions that still impact talent attraction, and the impact of technology on manufacturing. To access the report, visit: https://www.tpma-inc.com/2022/08/15/tpmas-2022-state-of-the-workforce-in-manufacturing/

This episode features a conversation with Tony Miller, Director of the Mercer County Career Center in Pennsylvania. Tony discusses the Center's recent pre-apprenticeship activity and the benefits of a regional approach to pre-apprenticeships. Discover how a collaborative approach helps to grow the community and keep talent in the region. 

In part two of this four-part series, you'll hear about the successful efforts underway in Licking County, OH to grow their community and regional economy. Discover details about Intel's $20 billion semiconductor plant with two factories, which will create 3000 Direct Intel jobs with average earnings of $135,000 per year, and 7000 construction jobs. You'll also learn about the importance of collaboration with the K-16 education systems to achieve positive outcomes. 

In this episode you'll discover labor force participation trends and the importance for communities of uncovering untapped pools of labor talent. Discover the change in the balance of power between employees and employers and how collecting data can help to understand various barriers to employment and how to increase employee retention. 

In this episode, you'll hear a unique and inspiring story from an Executive Director of a workforce board about her own journey of growing up in and out of the foster care system and how she now helps individuals improve their lives. Discover how being curious, asking questions, and partnering with other organizations can lead to better outcomes. You'll also hear examples of organizations across the country that are effectively leveraging partnerships for maximum impact. 

Stephen Goldsmith and Kate Markin Coleman, authors of the book Growing Fairly: How to Build Opportunity and Equity in Workforce Development join the program to discuss workforce development reforms that meet the needs of both workers and employers. Discover principles for designing a more effective and equitable system that helps workers obtain the skills necessary for economic mobility.

In this episode you'll learn about what it takes to get started in a career in workforce development as well as various career pathways in the industry. Discover the foundational coursework that can help prepare you for success in the workforce development field. 

This episode features an interview with Tom Miller, President and CEO of Thomas P. Miller and Associates, and Megan Wagner  Director of DEI and Business Partnerships at TPMA, as they discuss the importance of growing a community vs. landing a contract. You'll hear about how the vision of growing communities has been part of TPMA since the company's inception and the role that diversity, equity and inclusion play in helping to grow communities. 

This episode features a conversation with Catherine Lindroth, Co-Founder of Social Contract, LLC, as she discusses what it takes to create a collective impact movement. Catherine reveals some misconceptions about collective impact, and what it takes to galvanize a movement to solve complex social problems.  

In this episode, you'll hear about the exciting workforce development initiatives being implemented in Lake County, Ohio. You'll hear about what has changed in workforce development since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as best practices. Discover the biggest challenges in the workforce ecosystem and how to get past the status quo. 

In this episode, you'll hear from 2 senior consultants from Thomas P. Miller and Associates (TPMA) as they discuss the importance of cultivating a work-life balance. Discover some of the most important elements that allow people to thrive at work, and how TPMA supports their employees in finding their own work-life balance.

This episode features a conversation with Montez King, Executive Director of NIMS, the National Institute for Metalworking Skills. Montez provides an overview of his organization and discusses some of the efforts that are underway to build a pipeline of future talent. Discover the importance of apprenticeships and customized training solutions, as well as how NIMS has adapted and innovated during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Markevis Gideon, Founder of NERDiT Now, joins the program to discuss the various career pathways available in the IT field. Markevis reveals industry career trends and shares insights about what it takes to build a diverse and sustainable IT talent pipeline.   

In this episode you'll discover the elements of a registered apprenticeship and learn about TPMA's relationship with registered apprenticeships. You'll hear about why employers should consider registered apprenticeship programs and how TMPA approaches diversity, equity and inclusion in the context of registered apprenticeships. 

Walter Simmons, President and CEO of Employ Prince George's (Employ PG), joins the program to discuss how his organization has created a locally operated apprenticeship program. Discover some of the biggest challenges when it comes to creating non-union apprenticeships and the importance of focusing on diversity, equity and inclusion. Walter also shares his thoughts about how to talk to the private sector and small businesses about apprenticeships, and how to use apprenticeships to create pathways into livable wage careers. 

In this episode you'll hear from Michael Shields, a researcher with Policy Matters Ohio, as he discusses how to ensure that we drive an economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic that is inclusive of everyone. Discover the groups that have been particularly impacted by the pandemic and how to help workers regain their bargaining power.

In this episode, you'll learn about the one-stop operator role that Thomas P. Miller & Associates employees play at various locations across the country. Discover the efforts that are made to ensure coordinated service delivery, including convening partners and providing observations and recommendations. 

Bishara Addison, Director, Job Preparation at The Fund for Our Economic Future, joins the program to provide an overview of her role, and shares advice to leaders about to best invest funds from the American Rescue Plan to ensure innovation and prosperity for everyone. Discover how to use partnerships to create “out of the box” programs.

Daniel Ortiz, Outreach Director for Policy Matters Ohio, and Community Organizer Jennifer Lumpkin, join the program to discuss why civic engagement is so important to a community and why leaders should care about engaging the community in the decision making process. Discover some of the challenges and opportunities when it comes to civic engagement and the importance of including the voices of community members in policy-making. Jennifer and Daniel share their thoughts about how organizations can fully utilize the funds being made available through the American Rescue Plan, and reveal the concept and practice of participatory budgeting.

Roy Vanderford, Senior Director at Thomas P. Miller and Associates, and Tom Miller, President and Owner of Thomas P. Miller and Associates join the program to share their perspective on the evolution of the workforce development system. Discover how technology has changed customer expectations, and the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic had on workforce development. 

From Indiana Crossroads Podcast: Linda Calvin, Vice President, School of IT at Ivy Tech Community College, joins the program to discuss how the pandemic has impacted the need for IT and IT talent. Linda addresses the "great cliff" that will be occurring as baby boomers retire and automation increases. She also reveals the efforts that are underway to promote diversity and equity in the IT field and how to attract historically underrepresented talent to this important career track. 

From Indiana Crossroads Podcast: Scott Rudd, CEO of Rudd Consulting, LLC and Indiana broadband leader, joins the program to discuss how to fully leverage broadband investments. Discover how to differentiate between broadband and non-broadband access and how policymakers should think about what broadband is who needs it. Scott also reveals insights about whether broadband internet stimulates local economies. 

From Indiana Crossroads Podcast: This episode features an interview with Arti Finn, Co-Founder & Chief Business Development Officer, American Prison Data Systems (APDS) as she discusses the mission of her organization and the services they provide. Discover how APDS works with corrections professionals and inmates to create an individualized learning plan for each user. You'll also learn about the power of investing in this population and the return on that investment. 

From Indiana Crossroads Podcast: Jill Snyder, Director of Business and Economic Development at NineStar Connect, joins the program to provide an overview of her organization and outline the NineStar Connect business model. Jill also reveals the work that NineStar Connect is doing to help the communities they serve to recover from the pandemic and shares words of advice for economic developers who want to make a positive impact in their communities. 

From Indiana Crossroads Podcast: Tune in for a conversation with Luke Bosso, Chief of Staff at the Indiana Economic Development Corporation as he reveals the record-breaking growth that is happening in the state. Discover the policies and programs that are helping to fuel that growth, including the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI). Discover how the READI initiative is helping promote strategic investments to make Indiana a magnet for talent and economic growth.

From Eco Devo Radio: Aaron Finley, Senior Project Consultant at Thomas P. Miller and Associates, joins the program to provide an overview of economic modeling and why it is used. You'll hear stories about the application of economic modeling and lessons learned, as well as the difference between accurate and useful data. 

From Eco Devo Radio: Lindsay Miller from Ice Miller joins the program to discuss the importance of broadband investments as a vital part of fostering economic growth. Discover the broadband environment in the Midwest, as well as national and regional trends. Lindsay shares insights about available resources for communities that want to invest in expanding their broadband capacity.

From Eco Devo Radio: Jennifer Jelenek, COO of the Kalamazoo Downtown Partnership, joins the program to discuss the case for midsize cities in the post-pandemic world. Jennifer discusses placemaking and the importance of leaning into local assets, and the shifts that she has seen in the regional housing markets.

From Eco Devo Radio: In this episode, host Vicki Thompson, Senior Project Consultant at Thomas P. Miller & Associates, is joined by Barb Ewing, CEO of the Youngstown Business Incubator. Barb discusses her career journey and the mission of the Youngstown Business Incubator. Discover the importance of equity and inclusion, and how the incubator supports economic development.

From Eco Devo Radio: Jeff Finkle, President and CEO of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and Tom Miller, President and CEO of Thomas P. Miller & Associates, join the program to discuss tips and takeaways how economic developers can help their communities move forward during times of crisis and beyond. Discover the role of economic developers changed during the pandemic and some of the enduring changes we can expect to see in a post-pandemic world. You'll also hear about some of the exciting events IEDC has on the horizon over the coming year!

From Eco Devo Podcast: Tune in for the first episode of Eco Devo Radio, and hear from Thomas P. Miller, President & CEO of Thomas P. Miller and Associates, as he discusses the changes that he has seen in economic development over the years, and shares insights on how workforce and economic development organizations can wisely utilize funds for maximum impact.