Digital Promise’s Post

While career readiness learning is more ubiquitous today in schools, many high schoolers still graduate feeling unprepared for the workforce. Read this article by SmartBrief for more information on how we can mitigate this by embedding career-connected education in the classroom:

Embedding core skills -- skills such as creativity, critical thinking, collaborative problem solving and adaptability -- employers find lacking in even graduate student hires is the goal of Portrait of a Graduate from the Battelle for Kids . It is designed to prepare students for success in a rapidly changing world because 44% of the #coreskills workers need today are expected to change in the next five years. Yes, this is easier said than done but this is worth the effort. https://lnkd.in/g9WsP4t2.

Each and every college focuses attention on their extraordinary faculty, who, no doubt, create reams of valuable IP, some of which can be found in the existing catalogue of courses offered in degree programs. Smart colleges are finding a way to unbundle, modularize, re-package and offer their existing IP in the form of badges and certificates that roll-up into degree programs. With the assistance of industry, or a third party like SkillsStorm, the average college curriculum can be supercharged to become a workforce development engine. Let the "great unbundling" commence...

To prepare students for a rapidly changing world, educators and administrators can build programs that promote lifelong learning. Here are four key strategies: 1. Embrace Skills-Based Hiring: Align with career advancement opportunities. 2. Increase Practical Learning Programs: That equip students with verifiable skills like communication, time management, and leadership. 3. Promote Lifelong Learning: Education doesn't end at graduation. 4. Support Competency-Based Learning: This enables students to showcase their skills and stay relevant in their careers. As the workforce evolves, so must our educational models. By focusing on these areas, institutions can better prepare students for a fulfilling lifelong learning journey. #LifelongLearning #HigherEducation #SkillsBasedLearning

Since college, my approach to my career, modeled expertly by my parents, has been about direction, confidence and connections, which are more important than ever in today's education-to-workforce landscape. I just had lunch with one of my treasured mentors, Ingrid Sturgis, who I believe was the first to speak out loud to me probably 25 year ago that my superpower is #networking. With early guidance from my parents, mentors and others who have poured into me over the years, I strengthened my confidence, which allowed me to reach out for connections to get guidance about direction to develop my own invaluable decision-making processes. I have used these skills and perspectives for decades - and not just for my career. They are critical to every aspect of my life and I am grateful for them. About a year ago, I began supporting Pearson's Virtual Learning division and their Connections Academy program, mostly around the #EarlyCareer strategy. Giving students #direction, improving their #confidence and helping them understand how to make and leverage #connections are three of the most useful skills they can have as they matriculate through middle and #highschool and into #college and career. So I'm more than thrilled that the career programming has been expanded in to 20+ Connections Academy-supported #schools this fall: https://lnkd.in/eY8qEy8z. I have so enjoyed working with my Pearson colleagues who are committed to providing students with these foundational #skills, which will give them a head start on their journeys to rewarding #careers and meaningful lives. There are so many, but a special shout out goes to Lorin Thomas-Tavel, Nik Osborne, Casey Welch, Lorna Bryant and Tori Weitzel. #LifeLongLearning #LearningWithPearson #HumanSkills #SoftSkills #DurableSkills #Education #OnlineLearning #VirtualLearning #K12 #Workforce #Labor #EarlyTalent #Mentoring

📚 Career-connected learning is more than a trend. It’s a catalyst for future success and helps to prepare students to thrive, connecting their passion with purpose. As the Charles Koch Foundation recently shared, high schools across the U.S. are embracing this innovative approach that introduces students to various careers through partnerships with professionals, businesses, and industries. The benefits of career-connected learning are clear — students gain hands-on experience and employers get access to motivated, skilled talent. Read the full article for more. ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/eWhZcvet #careerconnectedlearning #skills #education #careerexploration

I hope you're sitting down when you read this stat: "Since spring 2020, community colleges have lost nearly 830,000 students." 👀 That's 830,000 learners that have "opted-out" of upskilling for career advancement or pivoting to a new industry. In short, 830,000 people have put a pause on life-long learning! For Community Colleges in the US this presents a huge challenge but at the same time a real opportunity. Detailed in the new InsideTrack report, there are five imperatives to winning back these learners: 1. Assess institutional readiness for re-enrollment. 2. Tailor marketing and community outreach efforts to adult learners. 3. Focus re-engagement outreach on the most viable students. 4. Develop and implement a “first-point-of-contact” strategy. 5. Guide students to – and through – the last mile. The good news is that we're not starting from scratch! As higher ed institutions pivoted to offering online and distance education opportunities through the COVID-19 pandemic, we have an opportunity to build upon those foundations with tools and strategies that meet our learners where they are at today: 1. Review your internal operational processes and workflows, are they ready to scale and grow? Be honest about what isn't working (anymore). 2. Your institutional brand is important, but learners want to know what's in it for them! Are you marketing yourself, or are you marketing the skills and career-outcomes learners can expect? 3. Connect skills and careers to relevant industries and programming that is distinct to YOUR institution; that becomes your USP. 4. Focus on outreach to learners who match these industries and program offerings. 5. It might be unnatural to think about the purchase and enrollment process as a "shopping experience" but the bar has been significantly raised by corporate America! Learners expect this process to be smooth, intuitive, and "Amazon-like" with instant access to their asynchronous course. Perhaps most importantly, you're not alone. In the last few months, I've had a version of this conversation with many of my clients. Let's support one another to grow together and help raise all tides to support learners! #edtech #LifeAtD2L #highereducation #communitycollege #education #lifelonglearning #learning #adulteducation #continuingeducation

As professionals, staying adaptable, enhancing our skills, and continuously embracing new knowledge is not just a choice—it's a necessity for career growth and sustainability. That's why our recent blog is about how community colleges can facilitate this. Learn more here: https://loom.ly/AbwZqDg #Education #Partnerships #Technology $AMST

In our weekly poll, we asked recent college grads how they plan to continue learning and growing in their field. The majority indicated they would pursue online learning. Furthering your education enriches your career, but navigating work and school simultaneously can be difficult. The rise of online college classes and distance learning options has made it easier for learners at all career stages to continue their education and advance professionally. Here are some tips to help you manage both work and online classes effectively: https://lnkd.in/ewQ3-Tin #onlinelearning #careeradvancement #professionaldevelopment #worklifebalance 

🌟 YCAL: Where Learning Becomes a Work of Art! 🌟 🎨 Dive into the palette of education evolution with YCAL, the artisan of career development in York County. Here's a colorful snapshot of the palette of knowledge we can all paint from their inspiring canvas: 🖌️ Brushstrokes of Partnership: The fusion of minds by founders William Simpson and Thomas Wolf birthed a masterpiece in 1989, focusing on elevating education quality in the heart of Pennsylvania. 🎓 Lessons from the Classroom: YCAL's canvas is rich with programs like the Career Education and Work Standards Symposium, blending practicality with innovation for educators and employers to harmonize and shape young minds. 🌟 Illuminating Student Success: From career readiness workshops to immersive pre-apprenticeships and vibrant career exploration, YCAL's brush strokes craft a path of enlightenment for students, guiding them towards a rainbow of possibilities. 🤝 Community Mosaic: The annual canvas celebrations like the Recognition Reception and School Director Dinners shine a light on the power of collaboration and community unity in fostering a bright future for education. 🎨 The Moral of the Story? Just like a masterpiece is a symphony of colors, YCAL's journey teaches us that collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to education can transform the canvas of youth into a vibrant tapestry of opportunities. 🌈 🔍 Join the brushstrokes of change with YCAL and paint a future where learning isn't just a task, but a true work of art! https://lnkd.in/e9apJrsw