Where:
 Virtual
When:
 November 2, 2021
Time:
 1-4 p.m. Eastern

The event will bring employers and educators together to discuss the importance of integrated work experiences that help students apply their learning, connect with employers and develop marketable skills. Keynote remarks will be provided by Pete Yonkman, President of Cook Group and Cook Medical and Ruth Watkins, President of Strada Impact, Strada Education Network.

“The Commission is committed to ensuring 100 percent of postsecondary programs require some form of career relevance by 2025,” said Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education Teresa Lubbers. “Currently, 78 percent of programs have a requirement, so there is still work to be done. This convening will help spark important conversations between employers and educators to better bridge the gap between these two crucial groups.”

In addition to participating in an in-depth discussion, attendees will hear about Cook Group’s well-established education assistance program, which has been helping employees skill up for the jobs of tomorrow. Participants will also learn best practices and how to scale their existing integrated work experiences.A student engagement experience with career relevance is one that is rooted in an authentic real-world context and emphasizes on the development of multiple career readiness competencies defined by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). An internship, work-based learning, research project and professional critiques of student work are all considered to be career relevant experiences. The Commission is measuring career relevance as part of its implementation of the state’s strategic plan for higher education, Reaching Higher in a State of Change.

In the news from Strada

June 28, 2021
Examining the Value of Nondegree Credentials

The number of organizations offering nondegree credentials is proliferating, and interest from learners in these credentials — certificates, certifications, and licenses — is growing. But even though these credentials are now in the spotlight, we have relatively sparse data on outcomes. To provide more understanding, through a Strada-Gallup survey we asked more than 14,000 adults across the nation about earnings, job satisfaction, and perceptions about the worth and benefits of nondegree credentials. This month’s Strada Public Viewpoint release compares learner outcomes across degree, nondegree, and combined pathways. By examining programs of different lengths and the experiences of different populations, we aim to provide insights that inform our understanding of the value and potential limitations of nondegree credentials. Join Strada researchers and expert panelists at 2 p.m. EDT Wednesday, July 28, for a discussion about the findings and implications for the field. As part of the ongoing Strada Public Viewpoint research started in March 2020, Strada Education Network has talked to tens of thousands of people in the United States about their experiences with work and education during the pandemic. The research is intended to inform education and training providers, policymakers, and employers who are helping people complete valuable and purposeful education pathways.