EP 17 Brad Clark of Latent Talent Accelerator on Empowering Communities through Education and Workforce Solutions

Welcome back to Education Perspectives! In today's episode, we have an incredible guest joining us. Brad Clark, a former teacher turned director of Workforce Solutions for Elon Renewables and the Director of the Kentucky Solar Energies Industries Association, will be sharing his fascinating journey in the field of education and economic development. From teaching in elementary schools to leading statewide knowledge-sharing networks, Brad has been on a mission to bridge the gap between education and employer engagement. Join us as we dive into his work in Eastern Kentucky, building work-based learning models, and creating economic resilience within local communities. This is an episode you won't want to miss! So, sit back, relax, and let's gain some incredible insights from Brad Clark on this edition of Education Perspectives.

GUEST BIO
Brad Clark is originally from Ashland, Kentucky and, while there, he was a pretty awful student. He taught upper elementary in Fayette and Woodford Counties for a decade. While teaching he became a better learner. Brad helped build state-based knowledge sharing networks for Hope Street Group, beginning in 2013. In 2019, while living on the road with his family in an RV, Brad founded Latent Talent Accelerator or LTA, a cradle-to-gray economic development consultancy. LTA currently supports grant writing, strategic planning, multi-stakeholder coalition building, and integrated community benefit planning across early childhood, secondary, postsecondary, workforce, economic development, governmental agency, nonprofit, philanthropic, and employer systems. He is the Director of Workforce Solutions for Edelen Renewables, a Project Manager on Accelerating Appalachia’s 8-state, USDA-funded Building Soil, Building Equity climate smart farming initiative, and he was recently named the Director of the Kentucky Solar Energy Industries Association. 

[00:02:57] Unexpected journey from struggling student to teacher.

[00:05:16] Education professional wears multiple hats, advocates for teacher leadership, and supports workforce development.

[00:08:38] Exciting projects in Eastern Kentucky workforce development.

[00:12:22] Support for adult learners, career pathways, credentials, community college programs, barrier removal, education for all ages.

[00:15:21] Seeking novelty and leveraging classroom skills.

[00:21:02] Engaging locals for recruitment and support. Community-driven approach.

[00:23:50] Exhausting for students and teachers, constantly changing.

[00:27:04] State education agency: mandate, capacity, reform. Accountability system changes can create chaos.

[00:30:03] Creating barriers or opportunities: a decision maker's role.

[00:32:41] Thank you for listening. Share your thoughts.

Quote of the Podcast – 

“If one person calls you a horse’s ass, you can tell them to kiss yours. If ten people call you a horse’s ass, you had better buy a saddle.” Brian Bishop 

Podcast/book shoutouts

·       The Tao of Rick Rubin Ezra Klein podcast from February of 2023

·       The Grid by Gretchen Bakke

·       The Creative Act by Rick Rubin

·       Ted Lasso - all of the characters have trauma