Are today's high school graduates the "Microcredential Generation"? This article explores why many are pursuing this pathway to a career over more traditional post secondary education. Associated image is from Inside Higher Education and taken from the article website.
How is the Cooperative Extension Service supporting workforce development in the trades industry in your state? A recent article from the Wall Street Journal discuses the trend of Gen Z worker entering trades in increasing numbers. New technologies, changing perceptions of "blue-collar" careers, and the rising cost of college tuition are just few of the things driving this trend. There is a significant shortage of skilled workers in trades such as plumbing, electric, and carpentry. This...
As businesses continue to move toward prioritizing job skills over degrees to ensure workforce readiness, the Cooperative Extension Service is in a key position to support this transition. This ensures a trained workforce with access to BOTH skill based AND academic education. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jobs-college-degree-requirement/ *Image created using Microsoft CoPilot
July 31st marks the deadline to submit an application for the AgriProspects mini-grants supporting adult ag workforce development projects. A home stretch update and Q&A session is scheduled for July 17th at 4pm ET. Register for the session using the link below: https://agriprospects.extension.org/events/july-2024-update/ We are also wrapping up our regional office hours for the grant. While marked as regional, anyone can attend any session that fits their schedule. The following office...
The Missouri Mentorship Project team is hosting a webinar series titled "Navigating Mentorship: Empowering Tomorrow's Leaders," featuring leaders from across Extension to share their mentorship experiences. The last session in the series will host Dr. Gulnihal Ozbay, who will present " Diversifying Workforce with Effective & Creative Mentoring Practices " on June 12th from 12:00 to 12:45 PM. Join us by registering here! About Gulnihal Ozbay: Dr. Ozbay is the Associate Dean of Cooperative...
We are currently witnessing a transformative era, often referred to as the “AI Revolution”. This revolution is characterized by the rapid integration of a relatively new technology, generative AI, into diverse fields such as art, education, and information dissemination. For both current job seekers and those preparing for future careers, mastering the use of generative AI has become an essential skill. This mastery extends beyond merely knowing how to request information. It also involves...
The AgriProspects Workforce Development Network, a collaborative effort of the Extension Foundation (EXF), the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP) Economic & Workforce Development Program Action Team (Workforce PAT) and USDA-NIFA, aims to bolster the Extension system’s capacity to meet the evolving workforce demands within the food and agriculture sector. To further its mission, AgriProspects is seeking proposals for Round 1 of its Mini-grant Program. Round 1...
A recent multi-institution study found that over 90% of surveyed faculty had students contact them for career advice. Of those 90%, only about 70% indicated they had worked with their institutions career centers. This gap can create challenges or missed opportunities for students. Additionally, many faculty might be missing the value of connecting with departments that are engaging with clientele and communities outside the university (such as the Cooperative Extension Service). Graduating...
Schools across the nation are experiencing challenges in filling teaching positions in career and technical education. This article provides more information about this needs and prompts the question, "Is the Cooperative Extension Service positioned to help bridge this gap by partnering with schools?". https://www.brookings.edu/articles/career-and-technical-education-is-a-hidden-weak-spot-in-many-high-schools-teacher-workforces/ *Accompanying image created using Microsoft CoPilot AI.
One individual is needed to fill an Economic and Workforce Development Program Action Team (WF PAT) Fellow role. The Fellow will support the PAT co-chairs with PAT operations; assist with meeting planning; assist the PAT working group chairs with documentation and reporting; and assist with the development of a Workforce PAT convening and with writing of a post-conference white paper. Learn more about the Fellowship and apply here: ...
One individual is needed to fill an Urban Agriculture and Food Systems Coordinator role across the LGU system with the Urban Ag and Food Systems PAT and AgriProspects. As Urban programs are active across the country, the incumbent will serve as a lead with assistance in program execution from other AgriProspects coordinators, specifically those where CES regions overlap. This critical position will help build and engage our national network of partners working to provide access to skills...
A recent news article revealed that only a handful of states have issued guidance for educators on the subject of AI in K-12 education. Despite this, there’s a swift transition towards supporting youth education that focuses on the skills and ethics required to utilize generative AI tools in professional settings. The Cooperative Extension Service system, a significant advocate for workforce development opportunities for both youth and adults, urgently needs to create high-quality...
A recent higher ed article (link) has indicated that apprenticeship opportunities could provide a key method of reducing the worker shortage experienced by many industries. Apprenticeships, along with other alternative career pathways such as academic Certificates, non-credit credentialing, and on-the-job upskilling are possible solutions to this shortage. Extension in many states is positioned to help support these efforts by offering educational content or training opportunities. Extension...
Microcredentials, stackable credentials, certification, and badging are just a few of the names for alternative training and credits that focus on providing needed skills to students and workers. As our system continues to evolve the understanding of the importance of these types of programs in both the workforce and academic sectors, there is an opportunity for the Cooperative Extension Service (CES) to leverage their connections with communities and the Land-Grant University System. With a...
Employees in nondegree pathways leading toward "upskilling" feel like they are workforce ready and receive the necessary skills needed for success. However, many people still are not aware of non-degree options for improvement, advancement and continuing education. The following article discusses this lack of awareness and how employees could attract workers and improve job outcomes through on the job training. https://www.highereddive.com/news/nondegree-upskilling-options/697335/