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Skill Development

30 articles from Education Technology practitioners

From Measuring Memory to Measuring Thinking: How Simulation-Based Learning Could Reshape Higher Education

From Measuring Memory to Measuring Thinking: How Simulation-Based Learning Could Reshape Higher Education

As artificial intelligence continues reshaping the workforce, higher education faces growing pressure to demonstrate its value beyond content mastery. According to the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report, employers expect 39% of workers' core skills to change or become o

Darin Francis·Jun 15, 2026
How the Future of Work Is Being Reshaped by AI, Human Creativity, and Customer-Centered Leadership

How the Future of Work Is Being Reshaped by AI, Human Creativity, and Customer-Centered Leadership

As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes industries, many professionals are asking the same urgent question: what happens when AI starts replacing not just repetitive tasks, but the foundational entry-level roles that once launched careers? According to Goldman Sachs Research,

Ron Stefanski·May 21, 2026
Scaling Career-Ready Skills: How Adaptive Learning and Generative AI Are Transforming Higher Education

Scaling Career-Ready Skills: How Adaptive Learning and Generative AI Are Transforming Higher Education

Skills-based learning has moved from buzzword to mandate as colleges face mounting pressure to connect credentials, employability, and measurable learner outcomes. Employers are increasingly using skills-based hiring practices, and NACE’s Job Outlook 2026 notes that students need to demonstrate concrete examples of skills in action during hiring processes. At the same time, higher education…

Darin Francis·May 4, 2026
The Employer University Alignment Journey with Kristen Fox, CEO of Business-Higher Education Forum

The Employer University Alignment Journey with Kristen Fox, CEO of Business-Higher Education Forum

Across the U.S., the conversation about the value of a college degree is increasingly tied to one central question: Does higher education actually prepare students for the workforce? As artificial intelligence reshapes how work gets done and employers rethink the skills they need, universities are under growing pressure to ensure graduates leave not just…

Darin Francis·Mar 16, 2026
Why Institution-Wide Employer Alignment Will Define the Next Era of Higher Ed

Why Institution-Wide Employer Alignment Will Define the Next Era of Higher Ed

Higher education is at an inflection point. Institutions are facing a demographic cliff in traditional-age enrollment, softening international pipelines, and increasing scrutiny around the return on investment of a degree. At the same time, the World Economic Forum reports that 59 out of every 100 workers globally are projected to require reskilling or upskilling…

Darin Francis·Mar 2, 2026
Laughter as a Service: How Comedy Can Power Trust, Teamwork, and Career Growth

Laughter as a Service: How Comedy Can Power Trust, Teamwork, and Career Growth

Comedy might be the most underused business skill in your toolkit… In a world of back-to-back Zoom calls, Slack threads, and AI-generated everything, real human connection can start to feel like an afterthought. We’re moving faster than ever, but sometimes we’re listening less, reacting more, and missing the small moments that actually build trust. The…

Jason Winningham·Feb 19, 2026
Experiential Learning: A Cure for the Medical Worker Shortage with Jason Aubrey of Skilltrade

Experiential Learning: A Cure for the Medical Worker Shortage with Jason Aubrey of Skilltrade

Healthcare systems across the U.S. are facing a persistent and worsening medical worker shortage, particularly in allied health roles that keep hospitals, clinics, and surgery centers running. Rural access gaps, rising tuition costs, and skepticism about the ROI of traditional degrees are colliding with urgent employer demand. At the same time, momentum is building…

Darin Francis·Jan 26, 2026
A One-Year College Alternative: How Pega6 Is Preparing to Train AI-First, Job-Ready Talent

A One-Year College Alternative: How Pega6 Is Preparing to Train AI-First, Job-Ready Talent

The traditional four-year college model is facing growing pressure as rising tuition, shifting labor market demands, and new technological realities expose gaps between education and employment outcomes. Confidence in the traditional college pathway is eroding among parents, students, and employers as rising costs and persistent skills gaps collide with the reality that many new…

Darin Francis·Jan 19, 2026
The DisruptED Journey with Tim Maitland at MarketScale (Episode Two)

The DisruptED Journey with Tim Maitland at MarketScale (Episode Two)

Education is at a crossroads. As AI, online learning, and workforce demands rapidly reshape how people gain skills, long-standing gaps in access and outcomes remain a major concern in Michigan. Recent reporting on the 2025 State of Education and Talent shows Michigan has fallen to its lowest ever ranking in per capita income, underscoring…

Ron Stefanski·Jan 15, 2026
Career-Connected Continuing Ed: How Upright Education Helps Colleges Upskill Adult Learners in Digital Skills

Career-Connected Continuing Ed: How Upright Education Helps Colleges Upskill Adult Learners in Digital Skills

Higher education is undergoing a quiet shift. While undergraduate enrollments remain in long-term decline, continuing education has emerged as one of the sector’s fastest-growing segments, expanding at more than 11% annually. At the same time, rapid advances in AI, data, and cybersecurity are reshaping nearly every job category, forcing institutions to rethink how quickly…

Darin Francis·Jan 12, 2026
How McDonald’s and Skilltrade Are Transforming Workforce Education for America’s Frontline Employees

How McDonald’s and Skilltrade Are Transforming Workforce Education for America’s Frontline Employees

Work is changing fast. Automation and artificial intelligence aren’t just reshaping how we work—they’re redefining who gets access to opportunity in the first place. With frontline workers making up a significant share of the American workforce—and one in eight Americans having worked at McDonald’s—the discussion about education, skills, and upward mobility feels more urgent…

Ron Stefanski·Oct 21, 2025
Grow Your Own Talent: How McDonald’s and Skilltrade Are Building a Culture of Lifelong Learning

Grow Your Own Talent: How McDonald’s and Skilltrade Are Building a Culture of Lifelong Learning

The world of work is changing faster than ever. Automation is reshaping jobs, new technologies are rewriting what “qualified” means, and a new generation of workers is redefining what they expect from employers. From fast food to healthcare, companies are realizing they can’t just hire talent — they have to build it. They’re starting to…

Ron Stefanski·Oct 7, 2025
Workforce Success and Innovation-Driven Growth with President Keith of Goldey-Beacom College

Workforce Success and Innovation-Driven Growth with President Keith of Goldey-Beacom College

As higher education institutions face declining enrollments and increasing pressure from employers for skills-based learning, small colleges are rethinking their missions. A whopping 70% of U.S. employers say they struggle to find workers with the right skills, and credential-based programs are gaining traction as a solution. At the intersection of tradition and transformation, Goldey-Beacom College…

Darin Francis·Sep 3, 2025
Building a Future-Ready Workforce: With Traditional Training Models Failing, It’s Time for Employers and Educators to Build Solutions Together

Building a Future-Ready Workforce: With Traditional Training Models Failing, It’s Time for Employers and Educators to Build Solutions Together

In an era where the average job tenure in the U.S. hovers under four years and industries are evolving faster than academic curricula can keep up, the need for a new approach to workforce development has never been more urgent. Companies like Amazon and McDonald’s are responding by investing in “education as a benefit”…

Ron Stefanski·Jul 30, 2025
Building a Future-Ready Workforce: Disrupting Outdated Education with Employer-Driven, Community-Powered, Practical Skills Training

Building a Future-Ready Workforce: Disrupting Outdated Education with Employer-Driven, Community-Powered, Practical Skills Training

Workforce training is undergoing a radical transformation as industries face critical talent shortages and rapid technological change. Building a future-ready workforce requires rethinking traditional higher education models. These models emphasize broad academic development over targeted skill-building and struggle to keep pace with employer demands. According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report…

Ron Stefanski·Jul 28, 2025
Freshman Year Survival Guide: How Overlooked High School Lessons Lead to College Success

Freshman Year Survival Guide: How Overlooked High School Lessons Lead to College Success

Nobody warns you that college success isn’t just about brains — it’s about balance, too. In this refreshingly honest episode of Professional Quotient: Conversations that Build Equity, hosted by Jason Winningham, high school teacher Jacob Mutchler reunites with two of his former students, Lilly Salcedo and Oscar Davila, to reflect on what really mattered…

Jason Winningham·Jul 24, 2025
The DisruptED World of Tech Talent with TEKsystems: Future-Proofing the Workforce Through Inclusive Hiring and Non-Traditional Education

The DisruptED World of Tech Talent with TEKsystems: Future-Proofing the Workforce Through Inclusive Hiring and Non-Traditional Education

In a workforce reshaped by automation, accelerated AI adoption, and persistent labor shortages, the demand for skilled tech talent has never been more urgent—or more difficult to meet. The traditional pipelines, namely college degrees and four-year institutions, are no longer producing enough candidates to meet the explosive growth in tech roles. With tech jobs…

Ron Stefanski·Jun 27, 2025
Unity’s Jessica Lindl on Playing the Career Game Loop: Learning to Earn in the New Economy (Episode 3)

Unity’s Jessica Lindl on Playing the Career Game Loop: Learning to Earn in the New Economy (Episode 3)

As AI, automation, and immersive tech accelerate disruption, the future of work is being reshaped faster than most institutions can adapt. Entry-level roles for recent graduates are shrinking, traditional degrees are being questioned, and lifelong careers are being replaced by continuous reinvention. In this climate, the most valuable assets are no longer technical certifications…

Ron Stefanski·Jun 16, 2025
Unity’s Jessica Lindl on Playing the Career Game Loop: Learning to Earn in the New Economy (Episode 2)

Unity’s Jessica Lindl on Playing the Career Game Loop: Learning to Earn in the New Economy (Episode 2)

Today’s workforce is facing profound disruption, driven by automation, AI, and shrinking entry-level job opportunities. According to SignalFire’s 2025 State of Talent report, entry-level hiring in tech has dropped by 50% from pre-pandemic levels. In this shifting landscape, younger workers aren’t just seeking jobs—they’re demanding agency, feedback, and purpose. Game-based learning models like the…

Ron Stefanski·Jun 16, 2025
Unity’s Jessica Lindl on Playing the Career Game Loop: Learning to Earn in the New Economy (Episode 1)

Unity’s Jessica Lindl on Playing the Career Game Loop: Learning to Earn in the New Economy (Episode 1)

As traditional career paths break down, economic mobility is being redefined by adaptability, not academic credentials. Today, 52% of college graduates are underemployed a year after graduation, working in roles that don’t require a four-year degree. Meanwhile, networking strategies like informational interviews yield one job offer per 12 conversations—far more effective than the one-in-200…

Ron Stefanski·Jun 16, 2025
SkillsWave Makes Workforce Upskilling Accessible for Every Business – Episode 2 with Tech Titan John Baker

SkillsWave Makes Workforce Upskilling Accessible for Every Business – Episode 2 with Tech Titan John Baker

Digital learning is undergoing a major shift. As businesses look to retain talent and equip employees for evolving roles, the demand for workforce upskilling is rising fast. A 2023 McKinsey Global Institute survey found that 87% of companies worldwide are either experiencing skill gaps or expect to within five years, posing risks to productivity…

Ron Stefanski·Jun 6, 2025
Reboot Business Education: Make Lifelong Learning the Default

Reboot Business Education: Make Lifelong Learning the Default

Business schools must shift from credential factories to continuous learning ecosystems as AI and digital transformation accelerate workforce demands

Michael B. Horn·May 5, 2025
Spring Forward: Colorado PGA Pros Gear Up for a Season of Learning, Leadership, and Legacy

Spring Forward: Colorado PGA Pros Gear Up for a Season of Learning, Leadership, and Legacy

Golf professionals across Colorado are channeling spring momentum into a transformative season focused on skill development and industry leadership

Pga Sections·May 1, 2025
DisruptED in the D: Educational Outtakes with Jason Aubrey and Dr. Sasha Thackaberry-Voinovich (Ep. 2)

DisruptED in the D: Educational Outtakes with Jason Aubrey and Dr. Sasha Thackaberry-Voinovich (Ep. 2)

As student debt hits $2 trillion, education leaders debate whether traditional degrees still deliver the skills and ROI today's economy demands

Ron Stefanski·Feb 26, 2025
DisruptED in the D: Educational Outtakes with Jason Aubrey and Dr. Sasha Thackaberry-Voinovich (Ep. 1)

DisruptED in the D: Educational Outtakes with Jason Aubrey and Dr. Sasha Thackaberry-Voinovich (Ep. 1)

Two education leaders examine how rising tuition and skills gaps are forcing institutions to rethink the traditional degree model

Ron Stefanski·Feb 26, 2025
Employee Education and Workforce Training: Unlocking Mid-Market Potential Through Technology and Upskilling

Employee Education and Workforce Training: Unlocking Mid-Market Potential Through Technology and Upskilling

Mid-market companies that invest in employee upskilling unlock significant competitive advantage while dramatically improving their bottom line

Ron Stefanski·Jan 22, 2025
Transforming Education: Connected Education Kits for Rural Markets

Transforming Education: Connected Education Kits for Rural Markets

Affordable digital learning infrastructure is breaking down barriers for students in regions where connectivity and resources have historically been scarce

Michelle Dawn Mooney·Oct 31, 2024
Upskilling Revolution: Embracing Lifelong Learning to Close the Skills Gap in Today’s Workforce

Upskilling Revolution: Embracing Lifelong Learning to Close the Skills Gap in Today’s Workforce

Most corporate leaders see talent gaps hurting performance, forcing a shift from traditional training to continuous workforce development

Ron Stefanski·Sep 20, 2024

The Collective Responsibility to Promote Skilled Trades: Why Society Needs to Highlight the Trades as a Respected Career Path

A severe workforce shortage is forcing industries to reconsider their perception of what constitutes a meaningful and lucrative career

Vince Holland·Sep 17, 2024
Training New Semiconductor Manufacturing Professionals is Key to Meet Coming Domestic Manufacturing Demand

Training New Semiconductor Manufacturing Professionals is Key to Meet Coming Domestic Manufacturing Demand

A manufacturing boom is coming, but the industry faces a critical shortage of workers ready to fill high-skilled roles

Daniel Litwin·Jul 26, 2024
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