Episode 40: Access, Trust, and Talent: Building Workforce Pathways That Work with The Machinists Institute’s Shana Peschek

In this episode, I’m joined by Shana Peschek, Executive Director of the Machinists Institute, for a timely conversation about what it really takes to build a manufacturing workforce that can meet the moment. Workforce is one of the AMCC “Big Six” pillars of a functioning regional manufacturing ecosystem; and across the country, we’re falling short. Shana brings a practitioner’s lens to this challenge, drawing on her experience building apprenticeship and training models to support advanced manufacturing talent pipelines.

We talk about how the Machinists Institute was founded by IAM District 751 to serve aerospace, manufacturing, and industrial trades; how Shana scaled the organization from an idea into a statewide—and now national—workforce platform; and why apprenticeship is fundamentally an educational modality, not a niche labor program. Along the way, she breaks down persistent myths around apprenticeship, explains how employer-driven curriculum keeps training relevant, and shares how the Institute partners with unions, non-union employers, community colleges, workforce boards, and community-based organizations without duplicating efforts.

If you care about reindustrialization, aerospace and defense manufacturing, apprenticeships, or how regions can build real workforce capacity,this is a must-listen. Shana’s work shows what systems leadership looks like in practice, and why workforce development can’t be siloed from economic development if we’re serious about competing globally, way to go Shana!

🔗Links to Learn More:

• Find Shana on LinkedIn.
• Learn more about The Machinists Institute
• Follow the Machinists Institute on LinkedIn and Facebook
• Follow AMCC on Linkedin.
• Find Matt on Linkedin.
• Visit our website.

AMCC’s podcast is made possible in part by the expertise of Mike McAllen, founder of Podcasting4Associations. Are you part of an association also looking to produce a podcast? Let us get you in touch with Mike.

Thank you to the Economic Development Administration for their partnership in producing this podcast. This podcast was prepared in part using Federal funds under award 3070145 from the Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Economic Development Administration or the U.S. Department of Commerce.