Our Priorities

Employer Alignment

Policymakers and executives can partner to improve outcomes for individuals and employers.

 

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Postsecondary education has multiple important purposes. Preparation for a career is just one of them – but for many people it is the most important one.

Too often students can’t access high-demand, high-wage programs because they cost institutions more to deliver than general education programs. Policymakers can remove that obstacle by adjusting funding levels to account for differences in program delivery costs.

At the same time, employers can have difficulty meeting their talent needs because they require a college degree even for positions that don’t require college-level skills. The result: less diverse talent pools and higher attrition rates.

We envision a future in which students can readily access programs that lead to quality jobs and mobility, and employers assess and advance individuals based on skills and experiences, not degrees.

Employers and Community Colleges Working Together

Strada’s $4 million Employer and Community College Partnership challenge is funding partnerships that are innovating to meet regional workforce needs, boost employment and earnings for students, and drive community college enrollment.

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Students Want Education That Connects Them to Employers and a Successful Career

Strada’s alumni survey showed the value of providing education that is aligned with careers and workforce needs. Alumni who reported having quality experiences connecting their education to career preparation as students also reported that they earned more money and were significantly more likely to agree their education was worth the cost.

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Providing Students Access to Good First Jobs

Braven is a Strada grantee that helps students develop the skills and relationships needed to get a good first job out of college. On this Strada podcast episode, Braven CEO Aimée Eubanks Davis talks about leveling the playing field so all college graduates have connections in the workforce and can begin building successful careers.

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