Why It’s Time to Modernize Workforce Education (& How to Do It) w/ Kathy Walker
Kathy Walker, Founder & CEO of the eKentucky Advanced Manufacturing Institute (eKAMI), explains how her organization is upskilling displaced coal miners and rural residents for careers in advanced manufacturing in Eastern Kentucky. She details eKAMI’s unconventional, military-style training program that combines CNC machining and robotics instruction with rigorous soft skills development to bridge the gap between outdated technical education and modern industry needs. Walker emphasizes the importance of industry-driven curriculum, rebranding manufacturing to attract younger generations, and using local instructors who understand the community's culture to successfully transition workers into high-tech roles.