July 18, 2024 — 1:15 pm to 2:45 pm EDT
As America embarks on a significant reindustrialization journey driven by federal initiatives like the CHIPS Act, Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), the need for a capable workforce has never been greater. Despite creating 4.5 million jobs in 2022, the nation faces a critical labor shortfall with 9.5 million job openings and only 6.5 million unemployed workers available. This leaves a gap of nearly 3 million positions.
Several factors contribute to this challenge, including early retirements, reduced immigration, and changing work-life balance priorities since the pandemic. If workforce participation returned to pre-pandemic levels, an additional 2.1 million Americans could help fill these gaps. In the upcoming LightWorks at ASU webinar, our expert panel will discuss how to align America’s reindustrialization goals with the capabilities of its workforce. The session will focus on evolving educational pathways and institutions to meet the demands of a changing labor market. Panelists will explore how to make education systems more accessible and adaptable, ensuring they address regional workforce needs and support all communities. Panelists are from Kuder, CareerCatalyst within ASU’s Learning Enterprise, ASU’s Electrified Processes for Industry Without Carbon (EPIXC), the Arizona Advanced Manufacturing Institute
Register at https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/5774874102811223386
Mary Meeker, a leading technology investment and innovation expert, has released a new report on AI and universities. The report emphasizes the need for collaboration between academia, industry, and government to navigate AI’s challenges and opportunities. Download Meeker’s 17-page report. It is worth reading for the facts and figures she cites.
MEET THE PANEL
- Bill Turner, Moderator — An Associate Vice President at Jobs for the Future, leading the integration of Rework America Alliance and JFF. The nonprofit drives the transformation of the U.S. education and workforce systems to achieve equitable economic advancement for the future workforce.
- Robin Hammond Chief Workforce Development Officer for ASU’s Electrified Processes for Industry Without Carbon (EPIXC), which was selected as the Department of Energy’s 7th Clean Energy Manufacturing Innovation Institute
- Connor Harrington: Chief Executive Officer of Kuder, a global leader in career development and college and career readiness
- Meredyth Hendricks: Associate Vice President of CareerCatalyst within ASU’s Learning Enterprise. CareerCatalyst is the umbrella organization for all non-degree career education at ASU
- Leah Palmer: Executive Director for the Arizona Advanced Manufacturing Institute, developing workforce implementation strategies for the manufacturing sector, connecting the talent supply with competency-based training in automation, robotics, electronics, 3D printing, drafting, machining, and welding programs
