NEW
YORK, Aug. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The
Committee for Economic Development (CED), the public policy center
of The Conference Board, has issued a new Solutions Brief,
Postsecondary Pathways for the Workforce of Tomorrow. It
explores the current state of higher education and recommends
strategies to strengthen postsecondary education options to better
meet the future needs of both students and employers.
The Solutions Brief—the latest in CED's Sustaining Capitalism
series—comes as the landscape of higher education is changing.
Public trust in higher education has reached a historic low, with
rising student debt undermining the return on investment many
students expect from their college degree.
As the Solutions Brief emphasizes, new thinking is needed to
meet the demands of tomorrow's workforce and society, which will
require a larger percentage of the workforce to obtain some form of
postsecondary education or training. The future economy
necessitates a postsecondary education system that delivers
reliable learning experiences and outcomes for students and
employers. This includes an expansion to provide more learning and
training alternatives.
"Postsecondary education is critical for future workforce
development and the vitality of the country, but a lack of access
to quality programs, training opportunities, and affordable options
risk leaving some people behind. To reduce social and economic
disparities in opportunity and prepare all students for the future
workforce, society needs alternatives to the traditional college
degree that are not only more affordable, but also meet the needs
of employers and the workplace," said Cindy
Cisneros, Vice President, Education Programs at CED.
Key Recommendations
Policymakers and key stakeholders
must address affordability, provide opportunities to pursue
high-quality education and training programs, and align programs to
meet industry needs, while also accounting for diversity in
learning preferences, lifestyles, and backgrounds. CED's
recommendations include:
Preserve the value of postsecondary learning.
- To sustain the return on investment of higher
education, postsecondary education should be more affordable
and reliably lead to economic mobility.
- Schools must increase transparency around the net price of
degree programs and expected outcomes upon completion.
- Leaders and policymakers should also be proactive about
protecting students from an education that does not provide a
return on this investment, especially in the event of school
closures.
Evolve with student and workforce needs.
- Learning institutions should partner with business leaders and
industry groups to expand postsecondary options that align
with industry needs and trends.
- Policymakers and stakeholders should ensure that students are
aware of their educational options, their eligibility for those
options, and what steps are needed to pursue a specific education
or training pathway. Postsecondary options should also be
affordable with an adequate supply of quality opportunities.
Start career preparation early.
- Expand equitable access to career and postsecondary
on-ramps from high school for students across different geographies
and socio-economic statuses. This includes the availability of
career counseling for students, increasing internship and
mentorship programs, addressing the cost, simplifying the process
of applying for student financial aid, and guaranteeing the
relevance of education programs to ensure workforce readiness and
success.
- Integrate career exposure and early career advising throughout
K-12 education, demonstrating the possibilities and helping to
support decision-making for students. If students are provided with
information early to gauge their interests and pathways to jobs,
they can determine how or if to seek additional postsecondary
education after high school.
About The Conference Board
The Conference Board is the
member-driven think tank that delivers Trusted Insights for What's
Ahead.™ Founded in 1916, we are a non-partisan, not-for-profit
entity holding 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in the United States.
ConferenceBoard.org
The Committee for Economic Development (CED) is the public
policy center of The Conference Board. The nonprofit, nonpartisan,
business-led organization delivers well-researched analysis and
reasoned solutions in the nation's interest. CED Trustees are chief
executive officers and key executives of leading US companies who
bring their unique experience to address today's pressing policy
issues. Collectively, they represent 30+ industries and over 4
million employees.
ConferenceBoard.org/us/Committee-Economic-Development
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SOURCE Committee for Economic Development of The Conference
Board (CED)