Jo Schneier "Training for the Other 64%"

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In this interview, repeat founder Jo Schneier addresses the problem of providing effective training to the 64 percent of the population that does not have a college degree. Drawing on Jo’s experiences and prior startups, Cognotion’s opening gambit is a training platform for Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) an occupation with stratospheric job turnover. Cognotion seems to be succeeding in improving retention of its client’s CNAs.

Here are some of the topics addressed:

• Sal’s Pitch for the Angel Invest Boston Syndicate
• Sal’s Intro of Jo Schneier
• How Jo Schneier Became an Entrepreneur
• Jo Schneier Is Pulled into Cognotion
• “We looked at all of the 64 percent of Americans that don't get a college degree, a four-year college degree. And we were asking ourselves, where did they land in the workforce? And were there opportunities for them where they can move from a minimum wage job up the ladder a little bit, so they start on the pathway up for economic mobility.”
• “Right, so instead of paying an agency three to six thousand dollars to place somebody, they essentially become the school for this new employee.”
• “Yeah, the turnover rate for CNAs and at skilled nursing facilities is 147 percent in the first month…So, if we can get somebody to four months, the likelihood they're gonna stay for four years is significantly higher.”
• How Cognotion Built Its Team
• Features that Make Cognotion’s Learning Platform for CNAs Effective
• “…we formed channel partnerships with some larger institutions that are already selling into this space.”
• “So, our biggest competitors are in-person schools.”
• Qstream as a Possible Model?
• Cognotion’s Funding Trajectory
• $5.5 Million Angel Round
• Advice to Founders & CEOs – Absorb the Stress & Hire People Smarter than You
• “This is a complex time in America's history. And I think it's a unique opportunity, also, for people who are smart and dedicated entrepreneurs to look at how can we participate in improving the economy today.”
• Jo Schneier on AI & Employment