Biography

Experienced in assisting employers in creating sustainable workforce programs to recruit, develop, and retain a skilled workforce, Karen Miller manages the NASA Langley Research Center's Engineering Technician Apprentice Program to ensure compliance with the United States Department of Labor apprenticeship standards. To meet the needs for a skilled technician workforce, Karen has implemented best practices to fill skills gaps, recruit and hire technician interns/recent graduates, document on-the-job training and related technical instruction for apprentices, and report to the Technician Advisory Board. Karen also coordinates the Pathways Internship Program, ensuring that new interns are seamlessly onboarded into the federal system and overseeing their professional development during the internship experience.

Before NASA Langley Research Center, Karen worked in higher education as a business developer providing consultative services to regional employers to develop apprentice programs and coordinate related technical instruction for apprentices. She offered high customer service to meet a company's demand for customized training and skilling-up employees. Karen collaborated with the maritime industry and regional high school Career & Technical Education Centers to create a robust pre-apprenticeship program that introduces and prepares high school students for apprenticeship opportunities. Karen is passionate about ensuring that tomorrow's workforce is knowledgeable about work-based learning opportunities to solidify a career pathway. She is especially committed to initiatives targeting non-traditional apprenticeship populations, specifically women. Karen holds a Bachelor of Science from Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University and a Master of Social Work from Norfolk State University.