THE WOODFORD COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY held an executive
leadership roundtable on workforce development at Midway University on
Wednesday, Dec. 5. Around 70 attendees heard a panel representing
post-secondary education, the private sector and public schools. (Photo
by Scott White)
The Woodford County Economic Development Authority (EDA) held its final
executive leadership roundtable of 2023 on Wednesday, Dec. 5 at Midway
University. Workforce development was the focus of the event attended by
about 70 people including county elected officials and business and
education leaders.
The panel was moderated by Paul Schreffler, a member of the EDA, and
included Tim Campbell, vice president of Academic Affairs at Midway
University; Randy Johnson, human resources manager for Dever, Inc.; and
Danny Adkins, superintendent of Woodford County Schools.
Following an introduction by John Marsden, president of Midway
University, the panel focused on workforce development issues in
Woodford County and the surrounding region, along with the interaction
and integration of the public school system and postsecondary education
institutions like Midway, Bluegrass Community & Technical College,
Kentucky State and the University of Kentucky.
Johnson explained that Dever, which manufactures a variety of golf cars
for both golf and non-golf uses, deals with challenges in both
identifying qualified candidates and retaining them.
“We need a mixed skill set . . . we have seen a growth in our
workforce from 40 to 100 in just three years,” he said. “We like to work
with high schools and trade schools. We offer a real upward path for new
employees who bring those skills with them or are open to developing them.”
Campbell said it was vital for universities like Midway to “maintain a
connection with businesses and manufacturers to build a pipeline for
employment.”
He added, “What are the transferrable skills as opposed to specific
ones, (what) are their specific “upskills” we can focus on? . . .
Midway’s challenge is to identify what we can do for our students; how
can we impact their readiness for the workforce in the four years we
have them.”
One area Midway focuses on, Campbell said, is to “structure curricula
with realistic internships that add to their skills, so they truly are
‘contributors’ and not just employees when they leave.” With this as a
goal, he said, “We are always scanning society, corporate activity to
anticipate workforce needs so we are constantly adjusting (what we do)
to what the workforce needs.”
Superintendent Adkins said one of the school system’s challenges was
“how we align a broad pupil population with specific industry needs.”
“(What) we are focused on is providing concrete opportunities, not just
the core curriculum,” he said. “We have lots of kids that go on to
college and come out with lots of debt and neither a job nor a job in
their chosen field. We are seeing more interest in trades and other
specific skills, and we want to support that.”
Adkins went on to provide insight on a variety of efforts the school
system is embarked on that addresses the conventional “four-year
college” model to prepare graduates for the modern workforce whether
straight into employment, a trade school or two-year program at BCTC.
“We struggle as a society and as educators with the traditional mindset
that college is the only path to success. We tell kids they need to
define their own success. We need to see how we can keep our kids here
or following additional education come back . . . one way we are trying
to do that is instilling an entrepreneurial mindset . . . I spoke with
(Versailles Mayor) Brian Traugott about programs we could partner on to
build that mindset. The kinds of programs that allow students to partner
with folks in the private sector to go with their ideas.”
Johnson said an area that needs immediate attention is working on the
“soft skills” of new entrants in the workforce, such as “getting to work
on time, shaking hands, looking you in the eye in an interview.” Adkins
agreed and said this is something they are working on. Johnson said this
is paying off with interviewees they are seeing from Woodford County
schools, with “just a stronger, better pool of candidates.”
Johnson and Campbell also spoke about how university and high school
entrepreneurial programs provided safe places to learn how to deal with
adversity.
“Too many young employees and candidates have never faced any
adversity,” said Johnson.
Campbell agreed, “It’s a real challenge teaching problem-solving
skills – that’s why we get our students out in the real world in real
situations. It’s a distinguishing asset for them in the workforce. We
can provide this in the protective environment of school which is a
‘safety net’ for them to fail and then learn how to build off that.”
Jarrod Williams, one of the principals in the new Rickhouse Hotel coming
soon to Main Street in Versailles, challenged the panel, “We can now
learn in our underwear (at home), the real challenge is teaching
problem-solving skills, getting out in the real world, but as a student
they can do it in a protective environment.”
Adkins agreed, saying, “These (outside workplace and entrepreneurial
programs, internships) are good situations for teaching students how to
handle and overcome adversity. These situations also help us instruct
strong communication and soft skills.”
Adkins said it’s a mistake to wait until high school for this
“experiential learning”, pointing to the Northside Elementary “Saddle Up
Midway” program that involves students with the community as a way to
offer such learning in the early grades.
“It’s a great example of experiential learning. We need everyone to
understand that these experiences are where learning happens and where
future productive citizens, employees and employers get their start,” he
said.
Michael Michalisin, a Midway professor and chair of the EDA, said he was
pleased with the event.
“Workforce development is economic development,” he said. “The EDA
board’s perspective is (these events are) central to Woodford County’s
existing businesses, attracting new businesses, and promoting
educational and training opportunities – all for the benefit of the
community.”