Passing the Torch Both Ways: Building a Culture of Quality Through Apprenticeships, Scholarships, and Mentorship – Thursday, February 5

Rosemarie Christopher will explore how quality leaders can cultivate excellence not only in processes and products but in people. Through real-life stories from apprenticeship programs in food and biotech, Rosemarie’s presentation will illustrate how hands-on learning transforms skills into confidence, how scholarships open doors for new talent, and how mentoring and reverse mentoring create a dynamic feedback loop for growth and innovation. Attendees will have a better understanding that sustainable quality relies on investing in people, creating organizational systems where people are trained, guided, and aligned to operate consistently and, and fostering bidirectional learning that connects experience with fresh insight.

Key Takeaways:

• Apprenticeships: Learning by doing ensures competence and confidence.
• Scholarships: Expanding access strengthens the talent pipeline.
• Mentoring & Reverse Mentoring: Sharing knowledge both ways accelerate growth and innovation.
• Human-Centered Quality: Strong processes thrive when supported by well-trained, engaged, and connected people.

Call to action: Invest in the next generation, pass the torch both ways, and build a sustainable culture of quality through people as well as systems.