F169: Trade Schools & Industry Convergence at The Forefront of Workforce

Industry and Training Convergence for Manufacturing and Engineering to Advance U.S. Competitiveness
Industry and Training Convergence for Manufacturing and Engineering to Advance U.S. Competitiveness is paramount. The increasing demand for higher education, global competition between educational institutions for students, as well as the emergence of new technologies will not only require the evolution of pedagogical methods and discipline convergence, but also will enable it. Increasing U.S. competitiveness will require multifaceted approaches that include training a labor force for the technically advanced jobs of the future. The increasing demand for higher education, global competition between educational institutions for students, as well as the emergence of new technologies will not only require the evolution of pedagogical methods and discipline convergence, but also will enable it. Increasing U.S. competitiveness will require multifaceted approaches that include training a labor force for the technically advanced jobs of the future. Created through the intersection or convergence of disciples, integrated education and training programs will meet future labor force demands.
Janine E. Janosky, David Girzadas, and Steven Meneses – Richard J. Daley College

Redefining Career Paths: Trade Schools at the Forefront of Workforce Evolution
A 2023 study from the Wall Street Journal found that skepticism about earning a four-year degree is rising, especially among young Americans. At the same time, government investments into improving America’s infrastructure across rural and urban areas continues to grow. While investments mean more work and jobs for us, the harsh reality is that the demand for skilled trade work continues to outpace the current workforce pool. It is at this crossroads that trade schools will play an essential role in easing the burden on our current workforce while also securing its future. By promoting awareness of the viability of trade careers, incorporating technological advancements such as robotics and virtual reality into classrooms, and establishing partnerships with communities and businesses, we can actively contribute to building the workforce and infrastructure of the future.
Michael Cole – StrataTech Education Group