5 Ways Businesses can Collaborate with the Education Sector to Close the Skills Gap
With U.S. graduation rates being at an all-time high, one might expect employers to have a wealth of qualified candidates to hire. Instead, many employers are finding that these recent graduates are unprepared to succeed in the workforce. While many are graduating with technical skills, their “soft skills” are lacking. These skills - from professional communication and critical thinking to collaboration and time management - are seen as critical by employers, yet have not historically been taught with consistency or prioritized. A recent whitepaper commissioned by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination), an education nonprofit that equips students with the necessary soft skills needed to be successful in college and their careers, highlights recent partnerships between the business and education sectors to tackle this skills gap. “Bridging the Soft Skills Gap: How Employers Can Partner with Educators to Prepare Students for the 21st Century Workforce” offers practical recommendations for businesses to make an impact and profiles
strategic partnerships being successfully implemented across the country by Nike, Ernst & Young, Wegmans, Wynn Las Vegas, and the Northern Kentucky Education Council. According to a 2016 analysis by the Wall Street Journal, 92 percent of nearly 900 surveyed executives said soft skills were as or more important than technical skills, yet 89 percent reported some level of difficulty finding employees who have mastered these skills. “With almost 6 million unfilled jobs in America, this lack of soft skills hurts workers, businesses and the economy,” says Cheryl Oldham of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Center for Education and Workforce. “Businesses recognize the critical need for soft skills and are working hard in their communities to help students obtain the skills they need to succeed in the jobs of tomorrow.” A growing number of companies are focusing on student education as a part of their business strategy. By equipping students with the skills for workplace success, they strengthen their talent pipeline and create shared value. The following insights from the GetRuralLeaderMag.com | NOVEMBER 2017 7
