019_Hiding In Plain Sight: Apprenticeships & The Power Of Learning By Doing
Release Date: 03/25/2021
Talking Talent
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You probably know the words “apprentice” and “apprenticeships.” However, what do you really know about the critical role they’ve played in the transfer of skills and capabilities across centuries? In this episode David and Angela explore apprenticeships, when they began, the role they’ve played in human evolution (ever wondered why the Neanderthals died out and modern humans became the dominant life species?), and their critical role in helping individuals learn and develop, organizations thrive and society at large flourish. In the making of this episode we learned quite a...
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The Future of Work with Todd Cherches In Season One of Talking Talent, David and Angela discussed . That conversation focused on the changing nature of work and the impact that change will have on education, the role of cities, our political systems and what capabilities will be prized and those that will have less importance. David and Angela promised that this would just be the start of a series of conversations that would continue in Season Two, with guests who would bring insight about specific aspects of not only how work is changing but how it will change society and us....
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The best current English striker Harry Kane just might finish his career as the greatest striker in Premier League history. However, his career path has not been one long coronation towards greatness. On today’s podcast we look back on the beginnings of Harry Kane’s soccer journey, how contingent his opportunities were, and what we can learn about talent identification through an analysis of what almost went wrong for Harry Kane. NOTE: Episode was recorded in November 2020 after Harry Kane scored his 150th Premier League goal. Since Harry has scored another 5 goals and his ex-coach...
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We ended 2020 by looking back at 2020. We start the New Year, 2021, by looking ahead and more specifically by looking ahead to what the Future of Work holds in store. We had this conversation with no less a leading expert than Paul Miller, CEO and Founder of the (DWG), rated by the in 2020 as one of the UK’s leading management consultancies in digital transformation. On January 14th, only a week after we drop this episode, Paul will be releasing his latest book . Co-written with his Digital Workplace Group colleague, Shimrit Janes, Director of Knowledge, the book is already receiving lots...
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In today's episode we look at adaptability and resilience through the story of three individuals and also an organization. Although the stories are different in many ways, we find similarities in the skills used that led to adaptability and strengthened resilience. Those skills and capabilities are relevant today as we all must adjust to ever-changing circumstances; the good news is that these skills can be learned and acquired. by Nancy Koehn by Alfred Lansing () by Captain Chelsea B Sullenberger III on Witold Pilecki by Jack Fairweather by Witold Pilecki...
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When & How To Do A Career Pivot or Change , Charles Handy Professor of Organizational Behavior at London Business School. by Herminia Ibarra by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans by David Epstein by Maureen Electa Monte If you’re interested in learning more about my course “How to Do a Career Pivot or Change” please drop me a note at
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Beth Bengtson, Founder/CEO Beth Bengtson is the Founder/CEO of the nonprofit . She has more than 20 years of experience working with both marketing agencies and client side for Fortune 500 companies, small businesses and not-for-profits. Her focus has been to help organizations evolve through purpose-driven marketing, communications and business practices. She brings her enthusiasm for facilitating change, teaching, and her understanding of how to empower organizations to every engagement. In creating W4W, Beth combines two key passions: believing that businesses can play an important role in...
info_outlineYou probably know the words “apprentice” and “apprenticeships.” However, what do you really know about the critical role they’ve played in the transfer of skills and capabilities across centuries? In this episode David and Angela explore apprenticeships, when they began, the role they’ve played in human evolution (ever wondered why the Neanderthals died out and modern humans became the dominant life species?), and their critical role in helping individuals learn and develop, organizations thrive and society at large flourish.
In the making of this episode we learned quite a bit ourselves. We were helped in this effort by experts in the field. Thanks to Esta Bigler, Director Labor and Employment Law Program at Cornell University, ILR School. Esta provided us with a rich overview of apprenticeships specifically in New York State. Esta also generously opened her network to us and introduced us to a number of the people from whom you’ll hearing in this episode.
Thanks also to Jane Thompson, Director of Apprenticeships for the New York State Department of Labor. Jane helped us understand about registered apprenticeship programs and the New York State’s Department of Labor’s role in working with organizations to help them register and establish certified apprenticeship programs.
We started our recording by talking to Dr. Rudolph Bell, who among his many talents, is a Distinguished Professor at Rutgers University, an expert in Italian civilization and culture from the Middle Ages to the present. We were especially keen to get his insights on apprenticeships as a factor during the European Renaissance. Dr. Rudolph Bell is the author of multiple books including How To Do It: Guides To Good Living For Renaissance Italians.
We spent time talking to Martha Ponge. Martha serves as the Director of Apprenticeship for the Manufacturers Association of Central New York (MACNY) and represents the statewide alliance of manufacturing associations who make up the NYS Manufacturers Intermediary Apprenticeship Program, MIAP. She was joined by her colleague Laury Ferguson. Laury is the Associate Director of Apprenticeships with MACNY, where she works with manufacturers as well as educational institutions. Both women bring a real passion to their work.
We also spoke with someone who had been through an apprenticeship program and could share her lived experience. Tamara Rivera is a council representative for the New York City District Council of carpenters. In that role Tammy works in the organizing department, which is now called area standards. However, long before this Tammy herself was an apprentice carpenter where she learned her trade.
If you are interested in learning more, here are some sources and resources.
Bait & Switch Intro: The Story of Grandparents - Senior Citizens As The Key To Civilization & The Evolution of Grandparents
Linkage to how we learn, learning from watching others:
Jiro Dreams of Sushi - Documentary Movie
How We Learn: The Surprising Truth About When, Where, and Why It Happens -
Manufacturing Industry Producing More With Less People
Economist Robert Lerman of the Urban Institute talks about apprenticeships with EconTalk host Russ Roberts. Lerman argues that apprenticeships--a combination of work experience and classroom learning--have the potential to expand opportunities for young people who don't want to attend college. https://www.apprenticeship.gov/