To build a stronger talent pipeline, invest in career education

There is a simple solution to solve this. By investing in career and technical education (CTE) in partnership with school systems, companies can directly address this growing talent shortage today, before it becomes a crisis in the years to come. They will also enjoy additional associated benefits such as increased access to diverse talent, improved company reputation and better alignment with corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals.

To expand the talent pipeline and prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow, it is essential to provide more opportunities for career education and training for all students, especially those from disadvantaged communities and lower socio-economic backgrounds , who may experience an “opportunity gap”. Many of these students lack access to the critical skills and career-related learning needed to thrive in today’s economy.

In a recent survey, 79% of high school students expressed an interest in participating in workplace learning experiences, but only 34% were aware of any opportunities in their age group. In addition, the Government Accountability Office found that even when students are aware of opportunities, they face barriers such as lack of transportation and support services, language barriers, and inflexible schedules, meaning many students still cannot participate .

When business communities and public education systems partner to provide more accessible workplace learning opportunities, everyone wins. Businesses nurture the next generation of workers, and students have the chance for lifelong financial success.

Helping students at the intersection of industry and education

In our role as a connector between industry and education, we have seen many different types of creative CTE initiatives from the companies and organizations involved. The most successful programs overcome common challenges by aligning CTE programs with the real skills required by industry, encouraging student interest and participation, and attracting a diverse student body to CTE programs. Here are just a few examples:

Partnerships and collaborations: By partnerships with local school districts, businesses can help design relevant curricula and ensure CTE programs closely align with their long-term skills needs.

Internships and scholarships: To help encourage student participation in CTE programs, companies can offer exciting internship or apprenticeship programs that give students hands-on experience and exposure to new fields of activity. Additionally, partnering with schools to provide scholarships, especially to low- and middle-income students, is another way to encourage participation and support future educational opportunities.

Guest speakers and mentoring: Professionals from a range of industries can serve as guest speakers or mentors, sharing their career experiences and providing direct guidance to students. This helps students gain exposure to real-world jobs and fields of work that they may not otherwise know about. It also provides CTE resources directly to students, further increasing participation among those who may lack reliable transportation or face other challenges in accessing opportunities outside of school.

What do these strategies look like in practice?

The Center for Audit Quality (CAQ), the voice of U.S. public company auditors, has created a digital education program designed to help high school students discover accounting careers while attracting greater diversity and representation to the accounting profession. As part of the program, signature events in schools introduce students to accountants who explain the field and their roles.

Principal Foundation, an independent philanthropic organization created by Principal Financial Group, launched DataSetGo, a national program that introduces students from low- to moderate-income communities to workforce opportunities in the fast-growing field of data science.

In Indiana, high school students earn their nursing certifications during rotations at their local hospitals. In Colorado, students help companies with marketing and social media research. In California, students work with the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles to learn about supply chain management and international business.

Rethinking education for the 21st century

We can make real progress by closing the opportunity gap and filling the pipeline with workers for the jobs of tomorrow. But to do this, we need to reimagine the role of the private sector in education. Companies can help optimize and innovate career-related learning that fits students from early childhood through high school. From exposure to new career opportunities, to learning new in-demand skills, to on-the-job training for course credit, the private sector can help supercharge CTE programs, helping more students learn essential real-world skills, so that they may prosper in the life to come. economy.

Far from corporate charity, companies that invest in CTE will see tangible benefits such as faster skilled workforce development, increased diversity and improved corporate reputation.

By working with school systems to connect basic fundamental education with the 21st century skills needed to compete in a rapidly changing world, the corporate world can close the opportunity gap, address the worsening employment crisis and provide a pipeline of skilled talents to date. future.

This is a huge win for students, companies and the country at large.

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