By News Staff
The skills gap is at an all-time high.
In today's steadily evolving job market, the skills students learn in college don’t always match up with the skills employers need. Manpower reveals 77% of employers report difficulty in filling roles this year – a 17-year high. This is why employers should leverage partnerships with higher education to empower curriculums and programs that inform and build a talent pipeline of qualified workers, says Scarlett Howery, DeVry University’s Vice President of Public Workforce Solutions.
"Higher education advocates for these partnerships as a pivotal element in bridging the gap between academic programming and in-demand employer skills," Scarlett adds.
The majority of organizations (87%) recognize that they have a looming skills gap problem, per Viser’s global skills gap survey report.
Through strategic workforce partnerships, colleges and universities work directly with industry leaders to determine how they can adapt programs to meet current and future workforce needs. These collaborations with employers allow higher education institutions to stay on the cutting edge of industry trends and help students develop skills that will enable them to become valuable employees.
For example, DeVry University develops partnerships with companies across technology, healthcare and business to create relevant upskilling programs through DeVryWorks. Additionally, DeVry offers apprenticeship programs through a partnership with CompTIA to embed workforce experiences into curriculums to equip students with knowledge, skills-building and mentorship opportunities.
"By collaborating with companies and industry to upskill current employees, incorporate work-based learning projects into capstones and senior projects, and even develop apprenticeship programs for fast growing careers, higher ed institutions ensure that their programs align with the ever-evolving needs of the job market," explains Scarlett.
Viser’s report also reveals that 87% of employees believe that their ability to earn more is directly related to their skills growth and development. Notably, workforce partnerships may translate into a competitive advantage for students.
"Strategic workforce partnerships are a win-win. Such collaborations benefit both the student and the employer by creating better-prepared graduates," says Scarlett. She continued, "By engaging in real-world projects, work-based learning and networking, students gain exposure to career opportunities and develop the skills and adaptability needed to thrive in today’s work environments."
By bringing education and industry together, workforce partnerships are instrumental in developing our future workforce and driving continued innovation and prosperity.
