# 151: Building AI and Automation into Technical College Curriculums with Richard Barnhouse, President of WCTC (Waukesha County Technical College)

- Show: [Manufacturing Happy Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour)
- Published: 2023-08-29
- Length: 51m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2023-08-29-151-building-ai-and-automation-into-technical-college-curriculums-with-richard-b
- Listen: http://manufacturinghappyhour.com

## Summary

Richard Barnhouse, President of Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC), explains how his institution is rapidly developing AI and automation curricula to address local manufacturing workforce shortages. He details the creation of specific certificates in data analytics and AI, as well as an upcoming associate degree, built in direct partnership with local industry leaders like Intel, Generac, and Eaton. Barnhouse argues that 2023 represents the 'good old days' for hiring humans due to demographic declines, urging companies to proactively engage with colleges to co-create programs that deliver immediate, job-ready skills for automation integration.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2023-08-29-151-building-ai-and-automation-into-technical-college-curriculums-with-richard-b#t=0) Introduction: Richard Barnhouse and WCTC's Mission
- [4:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2023-08-29-151-building-ai-and-automation-into-technical-college-curriculums-with-richard-b#t=248) The Wisconsin Technical College System's Agility and Local Focus
- [11:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2023-08-29-151-building-ai-and-automation-into-technical-college-curriculums-with-richard-b#t=704) Barnhouse's Career Path and Philosophy on Community Engagement
- [14:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2023-08-29-151-building-ai-and-automation-into-technical-college-curriculums-with-richard-b#t=841) Organic Industry Evolution and the Post-Pandemic Automation Shift
- [26:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2023-08-29-151-building-ai-and-automation-into-technical-college-curriculums-with-richard-b#t=1575) WCTC's New AI and Automation Certificates and Degree Programs
- [36:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2023-08-29-151-building-ai-and-automation-into-technical-college-curriculums-with-richard-b#t=2216) Workforce Integration: Working While Learning and Automation Integrators
- [38:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2023-08-29-151-building-ai-and-automation-into-technical-college-curriculums-with-richard-b#t=2328) Local Industry Leaders Leveraging AI: Rogers, Northwestern Mutual, and Generac
- [44:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2023-08-29-151-building-ai-and-automation-into-technical-college-curriculums-with-richard-b#t=2680) Call to Action: Companies Must Demand Customized Education from Colleges

## Topics

- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- Waukesha County Technical College (company)
- Intel (company)
- Generac (company)
- Northwestern Mutual (company)
- Rogers Behavioral Health (company)
- Eaton (company)
- Hydrothermal (company)
- Dedicated Computing (company)
- Milwaukee School of Engineering (company)
- Marquette University (company)
- University of Wisconsin (company)
- E-plan (tool)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Why It’s Time to Modernize Workforce Education (& How to Do It) w/ Kathy Walker](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-11-23-why-its-time-to-modernize-workforce-education-how-to-do-it-w-kathy-walker) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [Inside Conexus Indiana: The Industry Network Driving Manufacturing Tech and Talent | Ep. 46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2026-07-31-inside-conexus-indiana-the-industry-network-driving-manufacturing-tech-and-talen) (Lights Out)
- [The Learning Factory: Closing the Skill Gap Starts with Education w/ Mike Nager](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-11-16-the-learning-factory-closing-the-skill-gap-starts-with-education-w-mike-nager) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [How Matric Group is Reimagining US Manufacturing for Tomorrow's Challenges with Patrick Stimpert](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-05-06-how-matric-group-is-reimagining-us-manufacturing-for-tomorrows-challenges-with-p) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [Mastering Operational Excellence and Customer Partnerships in EMS with Worthington Assembly CTO Chris Denney](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-04-14-mastering-operational-excellence-and-customer-partnerships-in-ems-with-worthingt) (EMS@C-LEVEL)

## Citing this page

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