Workignation Panel Discussion on Learn and Earn Models

Introduction

• Host: Jane Oates, President of Workignation
• Purpose: Discuss transitions from education to work, focusing on "learn and earn" models.
• Panelists:
  • Jamie Merisotis: CEO, Lumina Foundation
  • Lydia Logan: VP, Global Education and Workforce Development at IBM
  • Keenan Harrison: VP, Workforce Partnerships at Revature

Panelist Introductions

Jamie Merisotis (Lumina Foundation)

• Goal: Increase post-high school educational attainment in the U.S.
• Target: 60% of Americans to have a high-quality degree, certificate, or credential by 2025.
• Progress: Increase from 38% in 2008 to 52% today.

Lydia Logan (IBM)

• Focus: Provide free global skilling using IBM resources.
• Initiatives: Skills-first hiring, removing degree requirements.

Keenan Harrison (Revature)

• Role: Largest employer of entry-level tech talent.
• Model: Three-month paid apprenticeship.
• Success: Trained 10,000+ software engineers over 8-9 years.

Learn and Earn Programs

Overview

• Importance: Rising demand for skills, especially human-centric skills.
• Models: Includes apprenticeships, internships, co-ops, work-study programs.
• Current Trends:
  • Post-pandemic skill demand rapidly changing.
  • Higher education faces a brand problem due to declining enrollments.
• Solution: Learn and earn models as pathways to better jobs and lives.

IBM's Role

• Mission: Ecosystem of talent for current/future jobs; focus on diversity.
• Programs:
  • STEM for Girls: Early exposure to tech careers.
  • P-TECH: Partnership with high schools for career-based learning.
  • SkillsBuild: Online learning with badges/certifications.

Revature's Approach

• Model: Apprenticeships tailored to client needs.
• Belief: Opportunity should reach talent, not vice-versa.
• Outcome: High retention rates, significant workforce impact.

Diversity and Accountability

• Challenges: Historic barriers for people of color, women.
• Measurements: Metrics at IBM show increased diversity with degree removal.
• Focus on Racial Equity: Lumina emphasizes narrowing educational gaps.

Credentialing and Quality

• Issues: Need for all learning to count; credentials indicate skills.
• Credential Types: Degrees, badges, certificates, certifications, licenses.
• PLA: Prior learning assessment needs reform.

Future of Tech Jobs

• Question: Will tech jobs be obsolete due to AI?
  • Panel Consensus: No, tech jobs will evolve, new areas like cybersecurity will grow.
• Need for Human Skills: Jobs will require human-machine complementarity.

Rural Access & Remote Learning

• Opportunities: Virtual internships/apprenticeships have increased accessibility.
• Challenges: Broadband access remains a barrier.

Collaboration with Higher Education

• Community Colleges: Key role in labor-responsive education.
• Higher Ed Partnerships: Revature and IBM partner with institutions for training.

Business Engagement

• Incentives: Need for businesses to recognize ROI in investing in employee education.
• CSR: IBM encourages clients to adopt similar apprenticeship models.

Conclusion

• Key Message: Learn and earn models provide valuable pathways.
• Future Focus: Continued collaboration between education, industry, and government to scale these models effectively.