Redefining Apprenticeship: Workforce Solutions and National Trends with Melanie Flowers

11/17/24 • 26 min

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 L...

Originally filmed Oct 24, 2024

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:

Resources:

Melanie Flowers LinkedIn Workforce Solutions Capital Area Workforce Solutions Capital Area apprenticeships webpage Tamara Atkinson L...

Previous Episode

Building a Resilient Community: Comm. Brigid Shea on Childcare, Housing, and Climate Jobs

Host Tamara Atkinson welcomes Commissioner Brigid Shea to share her expertise on critical community issues like affordable childcare and workforce sustainability in Travis County. Brigid sheds light on the real-life challenges parents face with limited childcare access and the impact on employment opportunities. Our conversation unveils county initiatives, including a proposed property tax increase on the November ballot, aimed at combating lengthy childcare waitlists. These potential solutions reflect a community-driven approach to ensuring that every family has the support they need to thrive.

As we examine the intersection of affordability, climate change, and job opportunities, the conversation turns to the rising costs of living and real estate in the county. Brigid outlines strategic initiatives for affordable housing and tackling chronic homelessness by partnering with developers and leveraging pandemic relief funds. Additionally, the episode highlights federal efforts to link job creation with climate resilience, focusing on sectors like solar energy and disaster recovery. Through these discussions, we emphasize the importance of partnerships, bold candor, and forward-thinking strategies to build a resilient and inclusive future in Travis County.

Brigid Shea is a former award-winning reporter at NPR stations who has proved her grit by fighting climate change in Texas since 1988. As a former Austin City Council member, she helped create the first wind project in Texas. Since being elected to the Travis County Commissioners Court in 2014, her work to reverse climate change and better prepare residents for climate impacts has won 3 NACo Achievement Awards; one for creating a neighborhood wildfire drill, the second for dramatically improving the reach of emergency warning systems, and the third for significantly reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions through an ambitious remote work policy at the County.

In This Episode:

(00:00) Introduction of guest Brigid Shea, her first job as a waitress
(0:03:27) Affordable childcare and workforce sustainability, ballot measure to support it
(0:13:00) Innovative remote work strategies reduce traffic congestion and emissions
(0:19:35) Addressing employee dissatisfaction and retention in “return to work” environments
(0:22:20) Strategic initiatives for “deeply” affordable housing amid a halted market for development
(0:27:02) Using pandemic relief funds for uniquely addressing housing insecurity and workforce development, forward-thinking strategies for resilience
(0:33:20) The outlook for job creation through federal climate resilience initiatives
Like and subscribe to hear all of our informative upcoming episodes!

About the show:

Resources:
Brigid Shea Bio
Workforce Solutions Capital Area Tamara Atkinson LinkedIn

Thank you to our sponsor: Texas Mutual

A bout 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.

Next Episode

"The Courteous Commissioner”: Alberto Treviño on Building a Better Texas Workforce

Why is the Texas Workforce Commission and workforce boards often referred to as one of the state's "best-kept secrets"—a label that suggests they may not be receiving the attention they deserve—and how are they impacting the lives of workers and their families?
Today on Austin Hires Local, Tamara Atkinson welcomes Texas Workforce Commissioner Alberto Treviño, a seasoned law enforcement veteran turned labor advocate. Commissioner Treviño speaks about the challenges and opportunities within workforce development, drawing from his many years of experience in law enforcement and border patrol. We examine how rapid growth within organizations can test the mettle of leadership, as well as the importance of unions in addressing issues such as scheduling and resources. Treviño highlights the crucial work of the Texas Workforce Commission in aligning skills with market demands, including programs such as registered apprenticeship that provide valuable training opportunities. The dedication of the Texas Workforce Commission and workforce boards has had a profound impact on workers and families, and you’ll soon discover why they’re one of the state's "best-kept secrets”.

Alberto Treviño III serves as the Commissioner Representing Labor for the Texas Workforce Commission. He was appointed by Governor Greg Abbott to the three-member Commission and confirmed by the Texas Senate in 2023. Commissioner Treviño is retired from the U.S. Border Patrol, and has served over 30 years in law enforcement as an agent, police instructor, background investigator and patrol officer. He also served as treasurer and executive vice president for the Local 3307 of the National Border Patrol.

In This Episode:

(00:00) Red Solo Cup mixups, school nicknames, first job repairing sewing machines
(05:21) "Flat CAT" (a nod to Flat Stanley) to help the CAT (“Commissioner Alberto Treviño”) travel across Texas so he could "be everywhere at once", interesting places CAT went
(08:45) What inspired the Commissioner to get interested in law enforcement? His extensive 33-year career, leadership style, and what factors influence his approach
(12:50) Union experience and lessons learned on the Border Patrol, continuing services as an intermediary between workers and employers, a humorous anecdote
(17:25) Giving back to the community, Knights of Columbus, little league, and tennis roles
(21:30) An interesting pre-TSA airport story, learning critical phrases in seven languages
(23:40) Challenging and pressing issues in the state of Texas, solutions and approaches, apprenticeships, National Apprenticeship Week
(27:00) Closing thoughts
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:

Office of the Commissioner Representing Labor Workforce Solutions Capital Area Tamara Atkinson LinkedInThank 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.