At a recent discussion among workforce leaders, educators, employers and policymakers, Virginia leaders identified three key components of a healthy regional workforce.
Even a recipe with just three ingredients can be complicated.
At a recent discussion among workforce leaders, educators, employers, and policymakers, Virginia leaders identified three key components of a healthy regional workforce: Industry leaders that have the skilled workers they need. Education and training providers that understand employers’ needs. Strong collaboration between those employers and educators.
Assembling those components at a pace that keeps up with rapidly changing industry demands is where that recipe gets complicated.
The leaders came together to discuss ways in which Virginia is shaping the health of its regional workforce:
Timely, relevant data that help learners make decisions about education and work, employers communicate their needs, and educators understand industry demand.
Work-based learning opportunities, particularly paid internships, that build effective bridges between education and employment.
Educators who approach their work with an agile and nimble mindset, enabling employers to better trust and depend on the partnership.
Colleges and universities recognize that students view their education as a launching pad for their future and that work-based learning experiences can be an effective strategy for helping students connect their education to career opportunities.
A recent Strada report analyzed survey data from seniors enrolled at public four-year universities and colleges about seven different kinds of work-based learning experiences. While the universe of work-based learning is not limited to these seven models, Strada’s report provides some important data points about the value and potential of these types of experiences.
Nearly two-thirds of students said their primary purpose in participating in work-based learning experiences was to gain experiences or skills in a specific career they plan to pursue.
