2025 SC Education + Business Summit

Dr. Shelley Wooley serves the SME Education Foundation as the National Director of Education Programs. In this role, she provides oversight of and directs the execution of SME PRIME® (Partnership Response In Manufacturing Education), a national initiative that directly enhances the skilled trades talent pipeline and assists students across the nation strengthen their lifetime employment opportunities. Dr. Wooley has held leadership roles both in higher education as well as K-12, joining the SME Education Foundation six years ago after serving in the lead student affairs officer role for a small Michigan university.

Dr. Wooley supported the development of the present SME PRIME program which partners education with industry to develop manufacturing and engineering programs in high schools across the country, providing modern equipment, tailored curriculum, and a hands-on training experience to students and educators.

This presentation will demonstrate the type of skill set that will be needed for the future workforce in the automotive industry. The presenter will provide real-world examples of how this technology can be used to problem solve in the diagnostic and repair of electric vehicles.

This presentation will demonstrate the type of skill set that will be needed for the future workforce in the automotive industry. The presenter will provide real-world examples of how this technology can be used to problem solve in the diagnostic and repair of electric vehicles.

The relevance of CNC and advanced manufacturing education to the CTE (Career and Technical Education) field is immense, as it directly addresses the growing demand for skilled professionals in modern manufacturing. These technologies are essential for students to understand, as they are at the core of today’s high-tech manufacturing processes. For participants, the value lies in gaining hands-on experience and knowledge that opens up career pathways in industries like aerospace, automotive, and robotics. By investing in CNC and advanced manufacturing education, CTE programs equip students with the practical skills and expertise needed to thrive in the evolving workforce, making them highly competitive in the job market. Phillips’ support of these initiatives further strengthens this by providing resources, training, and opportunities for students to excel in this high-demand field

Tooling U-SME, supported by the state, and Tallo through their partnership with SC Future Makers are both resources that are available for high school programs.

Presenter Bio
Hannah Bullard is Head of Strategic Partnerships at Tallo. Her team is responsible for the growth and nurturing of Tallo’s strategic partners and to ensure the partner’s goals are met. Hannah's extensive experience in fostering collaborative relationships and her dedication to achieving mutual success make her an invaluable asset to Tallo's strategic initiatives. Prior to Tallo, Hannah worked at Hawkes Learning where she worked very closely with community and technical colleges in providing supportive developmental English and Math curriculum software. Her passion has always been to support the advancement of early talent into educational and career opportunity. Currently, her team is responsible for the relationship Tallo holds with South Carolina Future Makers, an organization that promotes manufacturing educational and career pathways throughout South Carolina. She holds a BA in Finance from James Madison University.

Krista Maurer is a Senior Account Executive specializing in Workforce Education for SME for the past 16 years. She is always excited to have the opportunity to promote manufacturing careers and pathways connecting these opportunities to STEM learning and the advanced technology in our industry.

Presentation Relevance to the CTE Field:
By introducing students to careers within their community at an early age, this initiative fosters exploration of the trades and ignites potential passions that may lead them to pursue CTE courses in high school. Additionally, strengthening relationships with local businesses and industries creates pathways for future work-based learning opportunities, including internships and apprenticeships.

Value to Participants:
Attendees will gain firsthand insights into the successes and challenges of building a program that serves students at multiple levels. This session could inspire new ideas and initiatives in their own communities, ultimately expanding career exploration and work-based learning opportunities for students.

Presenter Knowledge and Experience:
The presenter brings extensive hands-on experience in developing and expanding career-connected learning programs. Since stepping into this role in 2022, the paid internship program has grown from fewer than 30 interns per year to 143 students working with 83 industry partners across sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, and public service. In 2023, these relationships led to the launch of an 8th-grade tour program, ensuring every student in the district visits four organizations each semester to experience careers firsthand. In 2024, the initiative expanded further with "Career Time Tuesday," a monthly career exploration event for all 5th-grade students.

Perkins V is the primary federal funding for CTE programs. Perkins V requires all funding recipients to submit a CLNA with a focus on labor market demand. The twelve SC Workforce Regions submit their CLNA every two years.