McKinsey Talks Talent Building a talent pipeline for the AI era
Oct 29, 2025
Beth Cobert, president at Strada Education Foundation, shares her expertise on the dynamic intersection of education and AI-driven work. She discusses the importance of cross-sector collaboration to equip workers with future skills. Cobert explains how AI is reshaping entry-level jobs and emphasizes the significance of investing in incumbent workers. She stresses the value of nontechnical skills and offers advice for promoting skill-based hiring. With a hopeful outlook, she highlights innovative programs that bridge education and quality careers.
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Value Of Incumbent Judgment
- Incumbent employees hold embedded judgment and knowledge that AI alone can't replicate.
- Beth Cobert warns losing that overlay produces generic, AI-driven answers that miss company context.
Building A Credential Data Trust
- Strada created Credlins to serve as a national data trust for credential outcomes.
- That utility turns weeks of manual research into near-instant verifiable outcome data for career coaches.
Connected Ecosystems Beat Co-located Institutions
- True ecosystems connect institutions, employers, and pathways rather than merely coexisting geographically.
- Cobert highlights Denver's Advanced Manufacturing Institute as a model of credit transfer and employer alignment.