What is Giving Compass?
We connect donors to learning resources and ways to support community-led solutions. Learn more about us.
Giving Compass' Take:
• Hilary Greenberg examines the potential for a portable approach to worker training which involves separating training from specific jobs.
• How can portable worker training help workers navigate the changing job market? How is it a response to stagnant wages and a lack of job security as workers must hold multiple jobs or switch jobs frequently?
• Read about how low-paying and unstable jobs do not provide job security or alleviate poverty.
The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic downturn have made clear the need for a more resilient and adaptable economy. Though expanding vaccinations have led to major strides in recovering from the public health crisis, current trends are poised to continue disrupting the economy—including expanding automation, the rise of remote work arrangements, and the adoption of nonstandard work. In addition, climate change and public health concerns may more drastically impact the world in coming years. We face a critical need to equip workers for economic stabilization, recovery, and ongoing resilience, including providing access to effective education and training.
Training programs typically lead to credentials, which can signal to employers the skills gained by a worker. Like the training system overall, the landscape of credentials is complex; nearly a million different credentials exist in the U.S., with significant variation in quality and recognition. Workers often struggle to identify which credentials lead to employment, while employers struggle to identify which credentials meaningfully indicate skills. Given these challenges, leaders across sectors have developed guidance on integrating credential transparency and quality assurance into education and workforce development systems.