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Trump just signed an executive order to make federal hiring skills-based rather than degree-based.
It's a step in the right direction, but there's a ton of stuff that needs to change in order to get it right.
Some thoughts
It's a step in the right direction, but there's a ton of stuff that needs to change in order to get it right.
Some thoughts
The monopoly of the university degree has come at a cost for millions of US families that have amassed over $1.6 Trillion in debt.
We need better ways to train the millions that need better jobs, now more than ever.
And it has to start with employers.
We need better ways to train the millions that need better jobs, now more than ever.
And it has to start with employers.
It's a big deal because it's the largest US employer (though they will still use degree reqs for many roles).
It sends a message to private employers that degrees are losing signaling power – the new upskilling model is what will allow for skills hiring
It sends a message to private employers that degrees are losing signaling power – the new upskilling model is what will allow for skills hiring
First caveat: in the roundtable, there's a ton of talk about more inclusive hiring practices.
But to be able to hire based on skills > degrees, you need a way to measure those skills effectively, and in a way that is independent of your position in society.
But to be able to hire based on skills > degrees, you need a way to measure those skills effectively, and in a way that is independent of your position in society.
For example, if you measure skills using a standardized assessment that looks at achievement > potential, you may have an SAT-kinda situation.
No one wants a skills assessment that increases inequality, but I don't know that the fed gov't has a plan here https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2014/03/05/these-four-charts-show-how-the-sat-favors-the-rich-educated-families
No one wants a skills assessment that increases inequality, but I don't know that the fed gov't has a plan here https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2014/03/05/these-four-charts-show-how-the-sat-favors-the-rich-educated-families
Second caveat: we need to forget about the "truck-driver-to-software-engineer" narrative of upskilling.
It's 1% of the upskilling cases and it's the same example the first MOOC-hype beasts used.
Unfortunately, this is precisely the example they use in the press conference.
It's 1% of the upskilling cases and it's the same example the first MOOC-hype beasts used.
Unfortunately, this is precisely the example they use in the press conference.
Upskilling will be about taking existing skillset and training for today's jobs in more incremental programs than the university model.
Forget about coding. Let's upskill library technicians -> IT operations, maids -> home health aids & nurse assistants -> certified nurses
Forget about coding. Let's upskill library technicians -> IT operations, maids -> home health aids & nurse assistants -> certified nurses
Third caveat: it's also passport-based hiring.
Among all the talk of "US training for US workers", Trump lauded German-born Sebastian Thrun, founder of Udacity.
Quick reminder that Trump just canceled short-term visas that tooks folks like him to the US. https://twitter.com/albertoarenaza/status/1258748180688232451
Among all the talk of "US training for US workers", Trump lauded German-born Sebastian Thrun, founder of Udacity.
Quick reminder that Trump just canceled short-term visas that tooks folks like him to the US. https://twitter.com/albertoarenaza/status/1258748180688232451
Fourth caveat: it CAN be more inclusive, but it may not be if not designed properly.
Especially when all the folks in that roundtable seemed to be white. I'd love to be wrong but... it starts with who gets a seat at the table in crafting these policies!
Especially when all the folks in that roundtable seemed to be white. I'd love to be wrong but... it starts with who gets a seat at the table in crafting these policies!
Lots of work to do still!
I'm not confident we yet have the infrastructure in place to use skill-based hiring at scale, in the US or anywhere.
But I'm confident it's a big part of redefining the next decade of learning and work.
More on http://transcend.substack.com next week!
I'm not confident we yet have the infrastructure in place to use skill-based hiring at scale, in the US or anywhere.
But I'm confident it's a big part of redefining the next decade of learning and work.
More on http://transcend.substack.com next week!
