Recent graduates can’t land jobs, while employers complain that they can’t find people to hire. The facts just don’t add up, yet the troublesome gap is widening.
Educators, entrepreneurs and political pundits alike are weighing in on the so-called skills gap — the widening split between what educators are delivering and what today’s modern workforce needs. We live in a world in which half of the jobs today didn’t exist 25 years ago (think app developers, data scientists and social media managers), Dennis Yang writes on Forbes — so the gap is presenting an interesting hiring dilemma.
How can employers and educators anticipate and build skills for the future workplace that likely will change shape even faster in the coming years?
Accept and Adapt Practical Skills Courses
Students and experienced workers need to take education into their own hands, Yang says. There is already a healthy demand for online classes geared toward practical skills — the market hit $91 billion last year and is projected to top $256 billion in 2017, according to investment firm IBIS Capital.
Online platforms like Codeacademy and Dev Bootcamp offer classes in computer programming. Skillshare’s online, project-based courses focus on creative disciplines like photography, interior design and sound editing. With so many options to choose from, students don’t always know which ones will land them a good job. Yang says that companies will need to step in and apply the lessons of these programs in a more systemic way.
Make Job Requirements More Transparent
Employers also will need to alter the job descriptions they post, according to Yang. "Companies would define jobs not only by traditional job descriptions but also by a set of skill-based courses over which prospective jobs seekers can demonstrate mastery. Job descriptions could include a playlist of courses required to prepare for the job," he says. This strategy also applies to developing the skills of existing employees, who could benefit from individualized learning plans to help them reach the next level.
Rethink the Workplace Along 21st-century Lines
Many workforce training initiatives ignore new realities, Ira Wolfe writes on The Huffington Post. "Even when the skill training and education is on the right path, it doesn't consider how the definition of work, the description of a job, and the re-shaping of the workplace has changed," Wolfe says. Few jobs are permanent; more generations work side-by-side than ever before; and many employees work remotely. "Employers must rethink the concept of a workplace and the definition of work and jobs before they can expect communities and government to develop more skilled workers," Wolfe says.
Photo: Can Stock
Mer information
Vill du lära dig mer? Utforska våra produkter, kundberättelser och det senaste i branschen.
Kundberättelse
Spotlight på Electrolux och Ageas: Förbereda och genomföra effektiva utbildningsprogram
Om man vill uppnå affärsresultat genom att investera i lärande krävs en engagemangsstrategi som gör utbildningsmaterial tillgängligt och lättåtkomligt för medarbetarna. Organisationer måste lansera och genomföra utbildningsprogram på ett effektivt sätt för att de ska ha maximal effekt för både medarbetare och verksamheten som helhet. Både Ageas och Electrolux har framgångsrikt lanserat digitala utbildningsprogram som stöds av aktiviteter som håller uppe engagemangsnivån.
Datablad
Cornerstone Performance
Oavsett om du har medarbetarsamtal en gång om året eller en ständigt pågående utvärderingsprocess, kan du med Cornerstone Performance sätta upp mål, coacha medarbetare, generera feedback, leda talangutveckling och uppmärksamma bra resultat. Prestationsutvärdering och kompetensdata länkas sömlöst till internt lärande för medarbetardriven och ledarstödd tillväxt. Helt enkelt för att det bästa sättet att skapa tillväxt i hela verksamheten är att investera i medarbetar- och talangutveckling med Cornerstone Performance.
