Career Pathways: An Innovation That Could Transform The Economy
Oct 16, 2022
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Explore the rise of non-linear Career Pathways reshaping the job market and how companies are innovating to attract talent. Discover how innovative programs help individuals gain new skills and fill critical roles without requiring college degrees. Learn about the significance of skills adjacency in matching people with opportunities and the critique of outdated traditional guidance. Success stories highlight the societal benefits of structured career pathways, especially for those in underserved communities.
Non-linear career pathways, as pioneered by companies like Walmart and AT&T, offer innovative routes for employee advancement and skill development.
The importance of comprehensive support programs, such as tuition reimbursement and coaching, is crucial for maximizing employee engagement and educational benefits.
Deep dives
Impact of Career Pathways on Job Market
The discussion highlights the traditional ways individuals choose their careers, often following in the footsteps of their parents, which can limit options for many, especially those from lower-income or immigrant families. The podcast emphasizes the need for structured career pathways that go beyond the conventional linear career paths, especially in a rapidly changing job market where lifelong careers become increasingly common. Employers like Walmart and Amazon have begun creating career pathways to provide their employees with non-linear routes to advancement, thus fostering talent from within rather than solely relying on external hiring. This approach not only addresses the skill gaps in various industries but also helps workers transition into roles that are in high demand.
Challenges of Tuition Reimbursement Programs
Tuition reimbursement programs have traditionally been poorly utilized due to lack of proper management and support, resulting in low adoption and completion rates. The podcast discusses Walmart's initiative, Live Better You, which aims to provide comprehensive support for employees seeking further education, including financial assistance, coaching, and additional resources. Despite significant investments in tuition reimbursement, most companies are not evaluating the effectiveness or returns on these programs, leaving many employees unaware of their potential benefits. Walmart's approach serves as a model for other organizations looking to improve employee retention and skill acquisition while demonstrating measurable outcomes from their educational investments.
The Role of Skills Adjacency in Career Development
The concept of skills adjacency plays a crucial role in helping employees transition from one career to another, highlighting how workers can leverage existing skills in new contexts. The discussion presents examples illustrating that underlying skills, such as human relations from bus drivers, can be applied to various roles, including customer service or sales. Identifying adjacent skills requires thorough analyses and talent intelligence to guide workers through potential career changes successfully. By explicitly mapping these connections and providing structured pathways, companies can foster a culture of growth and development that benefits both individuals and the organization as a whole.
In this podcast I describe the emergence of a massive new innovation in business: non-linear Career Pathways. These new innovative programs bring new careers, educational credentials, and skills to individuals and help companies fill important jobs and operational roles in the future. This is a big new idea that is now paying off, pioneered by companies like Walmart, Guild Education. BrightHorizons EdAssist, Verizon, AT&T, Mercy BonSecours, and many others.
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