5 keys to better align college training with workforce needs - James Paterson, Education Dive

A new report highlights five key elements to successfully resolving a thorny and much-discussed issue that dogs colleges and universities: the reported misalignment of the skills employers need and the training colleges offer. The Education Commission of the States examined four states' efforts to develop workforce and postsecondary systems — Connecticut, Oregon, South Carolina and Texas. It identified common themes of data utilization, stakeholder coordination and collaboration, leaders committed to raising awareness around the issue, aligning curriculum with workforce needs, and access to federal and industry funding. So far this year, 32 states and the District of Columbia have introduced workforce development legislation, with 28 bills enacted across 17 states. Half of those efforts focused on financial incentives for students and institutions targeting high-demand fields. https://www.educationdive.com/news/5-keys-to-better-align-college-training-with-workforce-needs/540564/