Top of the Tower: Recent Episodes
Pinkerton Academy
Welcome to Top of the Tower, brought to you by Pinkerton Academy's Center for Career and Technical Education. Get ready to hear from a variety of business and workforce industry leaders, education experts and state and local officials as we explore the labor market, education and how these two can work together to help students, employers and employees. Your hosts are Doug Cullen, Pinkerton's Manager of Career Services and Donna Smith a faculty member in the Career and Technical Education Department.
This episode features a conversation with Tim Messina, owner and founder of Studio Lab in Derry New Hampshire, as well as Ian Messina, Director of Virtual Production at Studio Lab as they discuss the history of the company, as well as the shifts that they needed to make due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These shifts resulted in an explosion of their XR (extended reality) video production. Discover some of the drivers for the growth of virtual production and some of the innovation happening in the video technology space. You’ll also hear about how to gain technical skills in this area and some of the qualities that are necessary to begin a career in video technology.
This episode features a conversation with multiple panelists from Parkland Medical Center as they discuss current workforce issues impacting the medical profession. Discover some of the available healthcare training programs, and how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the recruiting and retention of healthcare talent. You’ll also hear about the various career pathways available in the medical/healthcare field, as well some of the most important industry partners when it comes to developing an industry talent pipeline.
Tune in as panelists David Juvet, Interim President of the Business and Industry Association of New Hampshire, Susannah Chance, Senior VP of Human Resources, Work Opportunities Unlimited and Joe Doiron, Director of Workforce Development, State of New Hampshire Department, Office of Business Affairs, discuss the current state of New Hampshire’s economy. Discover the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on New Hampshire’s economy, evolving employer changes and expectations, and what employers are facing when hiring tomorrow's workforce.
In this episode, you’ll hear from a panel of guest across various transportation industries in New Hampshire. Tune in for updates on relevant legislation, the efforts that are underway to prepare students to work on emerging transportation technologies, and how Amtrack is updating their trains and service delivery to meet the needs of the 21st century. You’ll also discover how New Hampshire has made “flying cars” road legal and when you can expect to see them available.
Join us along with our student co-host, Aleksandra Carney, as we have a conversation with three women industry leaders and talk about the impact, challenges and opportunities today's female executives face during and post COVID-19. Discover the efforts being made to recruit more women into industry, how women can find work-life balance and the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on women in our workforce.
Join us for this special episode of Top of the Tower, celebrating women in construction in New Hampshire. This episode will be the first of many future episodes that will be student led! Join our student co-hosts as they have a conversation with a panel of women working in construction as they reveal their biggest challenges, share their most memorable moments working in the field, and discuss the role that they think women will play in the industry in the future. Discover the efforts being made to increase awareness of the opportunities that exist for women in the construction industry in New Hampshire.
In this episode, you’ll hear from a panel of experts about challenges and opportunities in the architecture and civil engineering industries in New Hampshire. Discover details about Pinkerton Academy’s architecture program and some of the projects that students have been involved in. The panelists also discuss the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the industry, and share industry trends and predictions.
Kate Kreamer, Deputy Executive Director at Advance CTE, joins the program to discuss the work that her organization does to support visionary state leadership, cultivate best practices, and speak with a collective voice to advance high quality CTE policies, programs and pathways that ensure career success for each learner. Discover national practices that are supporting CTE growth and hear takeaways from Advance CTE’s national and regional report of findings.
In this episode, you’ll hear from a panel of experts about the efforts that are underway to engage the next generation of broadcasters. Discover industry challenges and opportunities, and the impact of social media on broadcasting. You’ll hear about some of the career opportunities available in broadcasting beyond being a live personality, and how new technologies are driving increased interest in media careers.
United States Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson joins the program to reveal why he has sponsored the $6Billion national legislation called theStrengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act, which reauthorizes through FY2024 the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006. Discover how the legislation will provide education that addresses in-demand jobs. You’ll also hear about the biggest changes in the current reauthorization, and the next legislative steps when it comes to Career and Technical Education.
In this episode, you’ll hear from a panel of experts as they discuss the cosmetology and personal care industry in New Hampshire and across the country. Discover some of the biggest hurdles that the industry is facing during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the innovative efforts that are underway to attract talent. You’ll also learn about initiatives to help connect the industry and educational systems.
Dr. Shaun Dougherty, Associate Professor at Vanderbilt University, joins the program to discuss the conclusions of a research project he helmed titled "The Effects of Career and Technical Education." Dr. Dougherty also shares his thoughts about the international work that he's been engaged in around CTE, and the national legislation that's been particularly impactful.
In this episode you’ll hear from a panel of experts as they discuss a water quality project that engages students as citizen scientists. Discover how the project addresses concerns about arsenic and drinking water in New Hampshire and how it raises awareness of overall environmental issues. You’ll learn about how the data collected by students has been used as a stepping stone for other projects, and hear from a recent Pinkerton Academy graduate about her experience with the project and how it has informed her future plans.
Connie Roy-Czyzowski, Vice-President of Human Resources for Northeast Delta Dental, joins the program to discuss how her organization is creating a culture of inclusion and empowerment. Connie also reveals the ways in which Delta Dental supports the personal and professional growth of all of their employees via initiatives such as their tuition reimbursement program.
It’s no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the culinary and hospitality industries. In this episode you’ll hear from a panel of experts about the ways in which the culinary and restaurant industries have innovated and adapted to the disruption created by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the training opportunities that are available. Discover the need for community, educational and industry partners to work together to meet the current challenges.
This episode features an interview with New Hampshire State Senator David Watters, as he discusses his support for Senate Bill 270, which establishes a tax credit against the business profits tax for donations to career and technical education centers. Senator Watters discusses what he is hoping to accomplish with the bill and shares his thoughts about the importance of CTE centers for the future workforce.
In this episode, you’ll hear from a panel about the advantages that apprenticeships offer to students and workers throughout their adult life, and how apprenticeships can promote positive career paths. Discover the criteria for registered apprenticeships and the efforts that have been made to create an infrastructure of apprenticeships across New Hampshire. You’ll also hear from an apprentice as he shares his experiences and takeaways from participating in an apprenticeship.
In this panel conversation, you’ll hear from a group of experts brought together by the generous support of the New Hampshire High Tech Alliance focused on the high-tech industry in New Hampshire. Discover some of the roadblocks and challenges to industry sector growth, the training initiatives and programs that are supporting New Hampshire’s tech industry, and the efforts that are underway to create a pipeline of technology talent.
Dr. Bill Symonds, Director of the Global Pathways Institute, Professor of Practice at Arizona State University and in association with The Coalition for Career Development Center joins the program to discuss the work that the Coalition is doing to make career development/readiness the central focus in American education. Discover three main obstacles to delivering high quality career development services, and how to create a system that is more effective, efficient and equitable.
In part 2 of this 2-part episode, you’ll hear from a panel of experts including leaders within New Hampshire's Community College and University systems as they discuss some of the options available at Pinkerton Academy that allow students to earn post-secondary credits while they attend courses offered by the Center for Career and Technical Education. You’ll hear about Pinkerton’s Alternative Choices in Education (P.A.C.E.) program and how it helps students who have not succeeded academically or socially in a traditional classroom setting.
Tracie Sponenberg, Chief People Officer of The Granite Group, joins the program to share her perspective on how to support employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tracie reveals which industries have fared the best during the pandemic and discusses DisruptHR, an information exchange designed to energize, inform and empower HR professionals.
In part 1 of this 2-part episode, you’ll hear from a panel of experts including leaders within New Hampshire's Community College and University systems as they discuss some of the options available at Pinkerton Academy that allow students to earn post-secondary credits while they attend courses offered by the Center for Career and Technical Education. Discover the difference between dual enrollment and concurrent enrollment, and some of the successes and challenges of both.
Dr. Kelly Nye-Lengerman, Director of the Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire, joins the program to discuss her vision for the future of the Institute on Disability, and how her organization supports the full inclusion of individuals living with a disability in all aspects of community life. Dr. Nye-Lengerman also reveals how her previous work experience has informed her thinking about her current role.
In this panel conversation you'll hear from an excerpt of New Hampshire's leading manufacturers and our state's preeminent Manufacturing professional association, the New Hampshire Manufacturing Extension Partnership, highlighting training and career exploration initiatives that prepare students for a career in manufacturing. Discover how Pinkerton Academy and other New Hampshire students are being positively impacted by manufacturing businesses and the importance of developing a talent pipeline. You'll also learn about how the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the need for trained manufacturing professionals.
Jim Roche, President of the Business and Industry Association of New Hampshire, joins the program to discuss how his organization advocates for issues that are important to businesses, and the efforts that they make to promote a healthy business climate and robust economic future for New Hampshire.
Tune in for a panel discussion about the connection between the education system and construction industries, and the efforts that are being made to meet industry demands. Discover some of the most common misconceptions about the construction industry, and how to raise awareness among students about available opportunities in the construction trades. The panel also discusses how to recruit and retain women in construction.
Dr. V. Scott Solberg, Professor of Counseling Psychology and Applied Human Development at Boston University, joins the program to provide updates about trends in workforce development, and the connection between social-emotional learning and workforce readiness. Dr. Solberg also reveals best practices in career and technical education, and what we can learn from other countries.
This first episode of Top of the Tower features an interview with Jennifer Haskins, CTE Director at Pinkerton Academy, and Nicole Heimarck, the New Hampshire Career and Technical Education Executive Director, as they discuss the impact of Career and Technical Education within the state of New Hampshire. Discover how career and technical education programs prepare students for post-secondary education, and the importance of engaging with employers and businesses.