Nicole Otte
Director, Workforce Development Endress+Hauser
Nicole Otte is the Director of Workforce Development at Endress+Hauser USA located in Greenwood, IN. She partners within her organization to develop current and future workforce, which includes building partnerships with local, state, and national educational institutions (K-12 and postsecondary).
Prior to joining Endress+Hauser in 2019, Nicole spent 18 years in education. She was an Engineering and Technology high school teacher for 12 years in Columbus, IN where she taught Project Lead the Way Pre-Engineering, College & Careers, Construction, Architecture, and Geometry & Engineering. Nicole then joined Central Nine Career Center (Greenwood, IN) in 2013 as the Assistant Director and then transitioned to the CTE Director role in 2016 where she oversaw 27 varied programs in Manufacturing, Health Sciences, IT, Construction, Transportation, and Human/Protective Services serving nine partner high schools.
Nicole is a Ph.D. candidate in Education Administration (K-12) at Indiana State University. She has begun work on her dissertation, which will focus on the crossroads of education and industry, particularly business/industry employees embedded in education. She earned her Ed.S. in Educational Leadership from Indiana State University in 2019, M.A. in Career and Technical Education from Ball State University in 2005 and her B.S. in Technology Education from Indiana State University in 2001.
When not working, she enjoys spending time with her family outdoors, designing, creating, making, and baking. Nicole and her family enjoy spending time at the beach and travelling. Nicole and her husband Joe have been married for nearly 25 years. Their daughter Faith recently graduated Indiana State with a degree in Sport Management and recently started her first job, and their son Chase recently started working at Endress+Hauser, as well.
Seminars
- Designing a workforce development strategy that spans the full continuum, from school STEM engagement in the Innovation Studio to internships, co-ops, apprenticeships, and early career rotational programs, creating awareness and interest in manufacturing careers
- Scaling outreach to thousands of K–6 students annually through hands-on robotics, CAD design, and circuitry activities, while expanding middle school and high school events to strengthen community connections and career readiness
- With a goal of hiring 20% of their roles via classroom-to-colleague that secures early talent with offers months ahead of graduation; driving measurable impact with an early career retention rate of nearly 80% over the last ten years, and an overall 60% hiring from within strategy, they have created a reverse age curve and developed sustainable talent pipelines that position Endress+Hauser as a leader in workforce development
- What approaches help organizations create a talent pipeline that spans STEM outreach, internships, apprenticeships, and early career programs?
- How can manufacturers scale community engagement without overextending resources or losing focus on operational priorities?
- What role do structured career pathways and rotational programs play in reducing time-to-fill and improving retention?
- How can organizations measure the long-term impact of early engagement initiatives on workforce readiness and diversity?
