From construction to cosmetology, SkillsUSA is a student organization empowering students — sixth grade through post-secondary — to explore, and even master, skilled trades. Wisconsin state president Marli Novy, a 12th grader at Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School, joins Kate and Ann on this week’s episode of the NEW Manufacturing Insights podcast to talk more about the organization and how it is helping fill the talent pipeline in a variety of industries, including manufacturing.
This week’s episode is sponsored by Werner Electric Supply.
Marli’s mother, Quinn Novy, works as a engagement coordinator for SkillsUSA Wisconsin and also joins the podcast to share her insights on how the program provides opportunities for our state’s school districts and businesses to partner.
Marli, who started participating in ninth grade and is the one who introduced her mother to the program, shares her passion for a future career in aviation on this week’s podcast, but she says students don’t have to know what career path they’d like to pursue in order to benefit from SkillsUSA programs.
“I was in SkillsUSA with a girl who never did the same competition twice,” Marli tells co-hosts Kate Bruns of Insight on Manufacturing and Ann Franz of the NEW Manufacturing Alliance. “Always doing something new, always learning something new, and that was really good for her because she knew what she wanted to go into, but she always knew there was so much to learn.”
Listen to this week’s full podcast episode, produced by B.J. DeGroot of Woodward Community Media, on Spreaker or anywhere you listen to podcasts. New episodes are released on Thursdays.
