Vocational Education Paths

Louder for the people at the back 🎤 Many organisations today seem to have shifted from being institutions that develop great talent to those that primarily seek ready-made talent. This trend overlooks the immense value of individuals who, despite lacking experience, possess a great attitude, commitment, and a team-oriented mindset. These qualities often outweigh the drawbacks of hiring experienced individuals with a fixed and toxic mindset. The best organisations attract talent with their best years ahead of them, focusing on potential rather than past achievements. Let’s be clear this is more about mindset and willingness to learn and unlearn as apposed to age. To realise the incredible potential return, organisations must commit to creating an environment where continuous development is possible. This requires a multi-faceted approach: 1. Robust Training Programmes: Employers should invest in comprehensive training programmes that equip employees with the necessary skills for their roles. This includes on-the-job training, mentorship programmes, online courses, and workshops. 2. Redefining Hiring Criteria: Organisations should revise their hiring criteria to focus more on candidates’ potential and willingness to learn rather than solely on prior experience or formal qualifications. Behavioural interviews, aptitude tests, and probationary periods can help assess a candidate's ability to learn and adapt. 3. Partnerships with Educational Institutions: Companies can collaborate with educational institutions to design curricula that align with industry needs. Apprenticeship programmes, internships, and cooperative education can bridge the gap between academic learning and practical job skills. 4. Lifelong Learning Culture: Encouraging a culture of lifelong learning within organisations is crucial. Employers should provide ongoing education opportunities and support for professional development. This includes continuous skills assessment and access to resources for upskilling and reskilling. 5. Inclusive Recruitment Practices: Employers should implement inclusive recruitment practices that remove biases and barriers. Blind recruitment, diversity quotas, and targeted outreach programmes can help ensure that diverse candidates are given a fair chance. By implementing these measures, organisations can develop a workforce that is adaptable, innovative, and resilient, ensuring sustainable success and growth.

Learning flourishes when students are exposed to a rich tapestry of strategies that activate different parts of the brain and heart. Beyond memorization and review, innovative approaches like peer teaching, role-playing, project-based learning, and multisensory exploration allow learners to engage deeply and authentically. For example, when students teach a concept to classmates, they strengthen their communication, metacognition, and confidence. Role-playing historical events or scientific processes builds empathy, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Project-based learning such as designing a community garden or creating a presentation fosters collaboration, creativity, and real-world application. Multisensory strategies like using manipulatives, visuals, movement, and sound especially benefit neurodiverse learners, enhancing retention, focus, and emotional connection to content. These methods don’t just improve academic outcomes they cultivate lifelong skills like adaptability, initiative, and resilience. When teachers intentionally layer strategies that match students’ strengths and needs, they create classrooms that are inclusive, dynamic, and deeply empowering. #LearningInEveryWay

Most careers stall for 1 reason: People stop learning. They wait for the company to invest in them. Or for their manager to set up training. High performers, on the other hand, don't wait. They treat learning as part of the job - Even when the workday ends. Not endless study, Just small, repeatable habits - that compound. Here are 11 that make lifelong learning automatic: 1. Keep a "Questions" Note on Your Phone ↳Anytime you wonder about something, jot it down. Research one nightly 2. Replace the Doomscroll ↳Replace 30 minutes of dead scroll time with a course or podcast 3. Teach What You Learn ↳Write a short post, Loom, or explain it to a peer 4. Reverse Engineer Great Work ↳Take an article, pitch, or deck you admire and break down why it works 5. Shadow Someone 2 Steps Ahead ↳Don't ask for mentorship - just observe 6. Then, DO Ask for Mentorship ↳Say: "I admire how well you do X - would you mind coaching me on that?" 7. Run Tiny Experiments ↳Pick one skill and test it live this week 8. Force Repetitions by Tracking ↳For writing, word count. For sales, calls made. Progress is fuel 9. Do "Learning Sprints" ↳One focused topic for 30 days, then switch 10. Revisit Old Material ↳The second read often hits deeper than the first 11. End Your Day with Reflection ↳One line: "What did I learn today?" The compounding effect is real. Small reps + every day = Mastery. Agree? --- ♻️ Share this to inspire other life-long learners. And follow me George Stern for more personal growth content.

📣 Today we’re announcing a $15 million AI Opportunity Commitment to support AI skills training & preparation across developing countries, with a focus on underserved communities. Every technology has the potential to change lives. There are a few in my lifetime that stand out: the world wide web that didn’t exist when I graduated, but which the last two decades of my life have been dedicated to; the smartphone - which made connecting with loved ones so much easier. And now AI - which has huge potential to change lives for the better. For developing countries, this is especially true. AI-enabled technologies built by our teams and others in developing countries are already solving challenges both locally and globally - whether it’s detecting locust outbreaks or improving women’s healthcare. AI has vast potential to provide game-changing solutions to unique challenges that developing countries face - but it will take focus, pace and collaboration from governments, the private sector & civil society. Today, we’re announcing a new $15 million Google.org AI Opportunity Commitment for developing countries to help reach that potential - focusing on AI skills training and preparation. We’re also sharing our AI Sprinters report, which shares key recommendations to help accelerate AI integration in emerging markets - including national AI skilling initiatives; cloud-first policies to promote AI adoption; modern data systems to harness AI’s potential and innovation-friendly regulation. Interested in learning more? Read Karan Bhatia’s blogpost here ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/eXURTvHH #AISprinters

My field trip to the center of adult education: 🇺🇦 war veterans redefining new career path According to recent data, Ukraine needs 5 million more people to ensure economic stability. This week, I visited one of the Vocational and Technical Education Centers by the State Employment Agency of Ukraine. These specialized institutions train adults for the workforce through quick professional training and reskilling. In Rivne, far from the front lines, one of eight active centers educates up to 5,300 unemployed adults annually (down from 10,000 pre-war). The target groups include unemployed disadvantaged groups, internally displaced people, and increasingly, veterans. This center offers 58 reskilling programs, mostly lasting 3-6 months, working closely with employers for quick reintroduction into the labor market. I could write ten posts about what I saw and heard, but here are two highlights: 1. Fast-Track Course for War Veterans to Operate Agricultural Drones: I witnessed the field training of the first Ukrainian pilot course for war veterans to operate agricultural drones. The first group graduated with basic drone operation skills. Participants, coming from different regions and carrying various stages of post-war trauma, spent a week learning to program and operate agricultural drones, becoming a team in the process. Together with their educational coordinator, they now plan to do the course in entreprenership, write a business plan and apply for a governmental startup grant by Ministry of Economy of Ukraine to buy their first drones. Their goal is to motivate more veterans to join their company, offering drone services to local farmers for field monitoring and irrigation. 2. Women Entering Traditionally Male-Dominated Professions: For the first time, the center trained several female tractor drivers and welders. Women joined these programs out of necessity, as their husbands are in the army, leaving behind fields and machinery. There is VR welding simulators, that helps women to have smooth introduction and be more open to pursue this profession. Ca 90% of these course participants are already employed, demonstrating the program's need and impact. Cooperation potential is huge: 🚗 Equipment: Many newer functional cars and trucks were taken to the front lines, creating a desperate need to cooperate with business and automotive producers to rent equipment to keep training pace. 🌤 Rehabilitation: Beyond education, internally displaced people and veterans need additional modules on socialization, emotional support, and integration into society. 🔁 Knowledge exchange: practices are dynamic and can be a win-win for Ukrainian centres and partners from other countries. The dedicated team at the Center impressively tracks the latest technologies and implements quick, hands-on pilots. They recognize the importance of acting fast focusing on the economic growth but also care deeply for each student, to feel needed and useful in the society. #ukraine

THE GREAT DIGITAL DIVIDE In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, the chasm between those proficient in digital technologies and those without —the digital divide—is widening. This divide not only hampers individual opportunities but also poses significant challenges to organizational growth, talent acquisition, and workforce development. 🖇What happens when there is lack of Digital Adoption? Digital technologies are the backbone of modern economies, driving innovation, efficiency, and competitiveness. Organizations that embrace digital tools and platforms can streamline operations, enhance customer experiences, and unlock new revenue streams. Conversely, those lagging in digital adoption risk obsolescence in an increasingly tech-driven market. A study analyzing data from 59 countries across seven regions between 2018 and 2020 found a positive relationship between economic growth and digitalization. This underscores the critical role of digital adoption in fostering economic development and competitiveness. 🗺Digital Literacy - It is a Non-Negotiable Skill Digital literacy encompasses the ability to effectively and critically navigate, evaluate, and create information using a range of digital technologies. It's no longer a supplementary skill but a fundamental requirement. ♻Impact on Talent Sourcing Organizations seeking digitally proficient candidates often find a limited pool, especially in regions where access to technology and digital education is scarce. This scarcity can lead to increased recruitment costs and extended vacancy periods, hindering organizational performance and growth. 💪Workforce Upskilling: Bridging the Gap Continuous upskilling is essential to keep pace with technological advancements. Organizations must invest in training programs that elevate employees' digital competencies, ensuring they remain competitive and innovative. How can digital literacy be emabraced well? For Individuals: ✔ Take Online Courses – Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning offer digital skill training. ✔ Practice Hands-On – Use digital tools like spreadsheets, collaboration platforms, and AI-powered apps. ✔ Stay Updated – Follow tech news, attend webinars, and engage in digital communities. ✔ Teach & Share – Help colleagues reinforce learning. For Organizations: ✔ Invest in Training – Provide employees with digital literacy workshops and certifications. ✔ Promote a Digital Culture – Encourage the use of tech tools in daily operations. ✔ Offer Mentorship & Support – Create peer-learning groups to share digital knowledge. ✔ Improve Accessibility – Ensure all employees have access to digital tools and resources. Embracing digital adoption and literacy isn't merely advantageous—it's imperative. How to incorporate a digital mindset? 💡https://lnkd.in/dGGM5vCK #sonniasingh #sonniasinghleadershipcoach #digitalmindset #futureofwork #digitaladoption #workplace #productivity

You don’t need to go to college to have a great career: 20% of those who go straight to work after HS outearn the median college graduate. But much depends on how you start. Some first jobs make you 4x more likely to be a top earner by the time you’re 40; others make you 4x more likely to wind up in or near poverty. The problem: picking the right start requires guidance few students receive. In fact, some of the best and worst starting jobs have the same initial salaries. Those who start out seating people in a restaurant and those cleaning rooms in a hotel make about the same; 20 years on, those who started as restaurant hosts are making $80,000 while the former housekeepers are making only $37,000. How can a student tell the difference? In our report “Launchpad Jobs: Advancing Careers & Economic Success Without a Degree” undertaken in partnership with American Student Assistance, The Burning Glass Institute tracked the careers of millions of people who went straight to work after high school to understand which paths lead to economic mobility and which prove to be dead ends. That’s especially important because 40% of students don’t go straight to college, while many of those who do ultimately stop out or graduate into jobs they didn’t need to go to college to get. The good news: there are clear patterns of success – pathways that we know work. The bad news: with minimal information, the choices students make are often haphazard. Guidance counselors have little data on career outcomes to draw on and limited experience with routes that don’t pass through college. Key insights from our report: * 1 in 5 HS graduates without a degree out-earn the median college grad, and over 2 million nondegree workers earn more than $100,000 annually. * The 73 Launchpad Jobs we identify span a wide range of fields and advance careers across measures – from upward mobility to wages, from job stability to benefits. * Those in Launchpad Jobs earn almost 30% more after 10 years, are 10% more likely to be promoted, and face 20% lower risk of unemployment. * Despite 1.9M annual entry-level openings for Launchpad Jobs, not even 10% of 18-year-olds find their way to them. * The choices students make after landing their first gig are crucial too, even for those in Launchpad Jobs. Those who pursue a technical specialization or enter management can sometimes triple their earnings within just a decade. #careers #economics #education #skills #jobs You can find the report on http://bit.ly/3ASc8yw. And check out Steve Lohr’s insightful coverage in The New York Times: https://nyti.ms/4fSqQnW.   I am grateful to ASA for its partnership in this project. I am also deeply appreciative to have had the chance to work coauthors Jean Eddy & Judith L. Goldstein at ASA and Carlo Salerno at the Burning Glass Institute, as well as with BGI colleagues Erik Leiden, Gwynn Guilford, Shrinidhi Rao, Tomer Stern, Scott Spitze, and Mels de Zeeuw, and Julie Lammers and Sandy D. at ASA.

🇪🇺 Digital Skills in Europe 2025: A Critical Wake-Up Call for Workforce Development! 🔎 The EU Science, Research and Innovation latest policy brief "Digital skills gaps - a closer look at the Digital Skills Index" reveals critical insights into Europe’s digital skills challenges and opportunities, with direct implications for Vocational Education and Training (VET) 👉 See: https://lnkd.in/dqZ_DrdY 🔍 Key Themes & Takeaways: 🌍 Digital Skills Gaps Are Widespread ▪️36% of Europeans lack basic digital skills , and 8% haven’t used the internet in 3 months. ▪️Weak areas : Cybersecurity (24% below-basic), digital content creation (25%), and problem-solving. ▪️VET Action : Prioritize cybersecurity, coding, and data literacy in curricula to address these gaps. 👥 Target Groups Need Tailored Support ▪️Manual workers (30pp higher risk) , the unemployed, and older adults are most at risk of low digital proficiency. ▪️Young people (16–24) with low education face a 43% chance of lacking basic skills (vs. 32% average). ▪️VET Action : Develop inclusive, accessible programs for high-risk groups, integrating digital skills into vocational pathways. 🏫 Education & Training Must Adapt ▪️The report emphasizes strengthening digital skills in compulsory education and VET . ▪️Only 15% of workers have received AI training, despite 61% anticipating skill needs from AI. ▪️VET Action : Align training with emerging tech demands (e.g., AI, data literacy) and offer lifelong learning opportunities. 💰 Policy & Funding Priorities ▪️€26.3B allocated to digital skills (2021–2027), with €15.4B targeting basic skills. ▪️Focus on monitoring initiative effectiveness to ensure resources reach vulnerable groups. ▪️VET Action : Advocate for funding and partnerships with employers to scale up skilling programs. 🛠️ Actionable conclusions for VET stakeholders ▪️Update Curricula : Embed cybersecurity, coding, and data literacy into vocational courses. ▪️Target High-Risk Groups : Design programs for manual workers, the unemployed, and low-educated youth. ▪️Leverage Lifelong Learning : Create flexible pathways for adults to upskill/reskill. ▪️Collaborate with Industry : Align training with labor market needs (e.g., AI literacy for jobs). ▪️Evaluate Programs : Ensure initiatives are evidence-based and impact-driven. 📌 Why This Matters ▪️Without urgent action, only 60% of Europeans will have basic digital skills by 2030—far below the EU’s 80% target. ▪️VET systems are pivotal in bridging this gap, fostering inclusivity, and preparing workers for a tech-driven future. #DigitalSkills #VocationalTraining #FutureOfWork #LifelongLearning #SkillsDevelopment Romina Cachia, PhD EU Employment & Skills Cedefop Eurofound European Training Foundation EfVET European Association of Institutes for Vocational Training (EVBB) European Vocational Training Association - EVTA EURASHE eucen

Is your workforce prepared for the monumental shifts coming by 2030? The skills gap isn't just a buzzword; it's a looming challenge that demands our immediate attention if we want to build a future-ready industry. Consider these insights that underscore the urgency: - SAE International warns that roughly one-third of all engineering roles will remain unfilled through at least 2030 due to a lack of qualified talent. That's a significant hurdle for innovation and progress. - The World Economic Forum highlights that 54% of the advanced manufacturing workforce will need reskilling or upskilling by the same year to meet evolving demands. We're talking about a massive transformation. I spent some intentional time this week considering my own team’s skills and the capabilities we need over the next few years to drive workforce transformation across our ecosystem. We need focus on empowering individuals and building a workforce capable of truly driving digital transformation. That's where recognized and verifiable credentials step in as a critical solution, helping to "mind the gap" that we've discussed before. Not all credentials are created equal. Both employers and students are increasingly looking for concrete proof of quality and industry relevance, especially for the skills vital for our evolving industrial landscape. - Recent Accredible research shows a striking 94% of HR and talent leaders want credentials with third-party endorsements – yet only 31% of issuers currently provide them. There's a clear demand for trust. - Coursera's findings echo this, with 61% of students prioritizing accreditation and quality assurance when choosing microcredentials. They want to know their investment in learning will pay off. Across Siemens, we map technological and business trends against core competencies to developing new education content to drive innovation. At Siemens Digital Industries Software, we’ve launched the first ABET-recognized industry credential that is gaining traction in both the existing workforce as well as in academia to address digital skillset gaps. ABET recognition isn't just a badge of honor - it's a testament to our commitment to quality and our passion for empowering engineers. It ensures that individuals gain the truly verifiable, high-standard skills essential to expedite their careers and lead digital transformation. How are you ensuring your team is equipped for 2030 and beyond? Let's discuss how we can collectively build the workforce of tomorrow. (Photo below taken this week of the beginning of a 252-step stairway in Galena, Illinois, to inspire our journey forward. Onward and upward to new capabilities and new heights!)