An overview of  “A Grounded Theory Exploration of Hospitality, Retail, and Service Industries as a Talent Pipeline for Manufacturing in Racine, Wisconsin.”

with Kate Walker, DBA of MRA

Join us as Dr. Kate Walker (long time friend of SRKA) shares a summary of her dissertation.  

• Cross-industry Skill Transfer: The research explores how the skills developed in hospitality, retail, and service industries can be transferred and applied to the manufacturing sector, identifying common competencies like customer service, attention to detail, and valuable teamwork.
• Talent Pipeline for Manufacturing: This study investigates how workers from non-manufacturing sectors in Racine, Wisconsin, could be a potential talent pipeline to fill labor gaps in the manufacturing industry, providing insights into recruitment strategies and workforce development.

This presentation will explore how Racine’s hospitality, retail, and service industries hold untapped potential for solving the manufacturing workforce shortage. By exploring key findings from grounded research, we'll reveal how the skills these workers possess can seamlessly transition into manufacturing roles.

Discover innovative ways to unlock this talent pipeline, overcome common barriers, and create opportunities for cross-industry workforce development. The presentation will offer actionable strategies for businesses and policymakers to leverage this insight, helping fuel economic growth and strengthen Racine’s manufacturing sector. Learn how thinking beyond traditional talent pools can be the key to building a sustainable workforce!

Bio on Kate Walker

Kate is the Vice President of Learning and Development for MRA.  She recently completed her Doctorate in Business Administration.  She has over 15 years of experience in Economic Development, Workforce Training, Technology Focused Entrepreneurship, Program Development, and Small Business Financing.  Walker believes training can be a springboard for increased development, engagement, and overall organization contributions. She is a dynamic leader and skilled at developing work-based training, strategic planning, business expansion, and team building.

This session is pending for SHRM Professional Development Credits (PDCs) and HRCI re-certification credits.

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This event is sponsored by:

Khaleel Ali  Consultant | 529 College Savings Program Manager

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