Don Wood Foundation Hosts Conversation On The Future of Career & Technical Education

In this installment of the Don Wood Foundation’s Community Connection Series, Laura Macknick hosts a powerful panel discussion with regional career and technical education (CTE) leaders shaping the future of our workforce in northeast Indiana.

Featured panelists:

• Nate McNeely – Director, Grant Regional Career Center
• Tiffanney Drummond – Principal & CTE Director, Huntington North Learning Center
• Ben Barkey – Director & Principal, Warsaw Area Career Center (WACC)

Since 2018, the Don Wood Foundation has invested over $14 million into CTE programs, supporting upgrades in equipment, curriculum, and hands-on training opportunities in welding, precision machining, robotics, pre-engineering, and more. But as the workforce continues to shift, they are diving deeper—exploring what students and educators truly need beyond just tools.

You will hear insights on:

• Opportunities and challenges facing CTE today
• The impact of Indiana’s new graduation requirements
• Strategies for building industry partnerships and work-based learning
• How educators are preparing students for high-tech careers of the future

Whether you are an educator, employer, or community advocate, this conversation is a must-watch for anyone invested in the future of workforce development in our region.