There is no question that the landscape of the workforce is changing. Technology is transforming the way we live and work, and businesses are looking for employees with the skills to match. To keep up with the demand, higher education must adapt. Students need to leave higher education with the knowledge and abilities required to be successful.
There are many ways that colleges and universities can better prepare students for their futures. They need to provide them with a well-rounded education that gives them critical thinking and problem-solving skills. In addition, institutions need to do a better job of partnering with businesses to give students real-world experience. This helps prepare them for their careers. Colleges and universities can focus on accessible resources and support so that students have the opportunity for their best outcome. The quality of services that are provided through the student success center plays an integral role in the success of every student.
If higher education is to truly prepare students for their future careers, it must make a commitment to these three areas. By doing so, students will be ready to meet the challenges of the future workforce.
Higher Education and the Future Workforce
In the US, employment opportunities continue to rise this decade. The U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects U.S. employment rates to continue to increase. In the 2014–24 decade, there has been a 6.5 percent rise, going from 150.5 million jobs in 2014 to 160.3 million jobs in 2024. Of those jobs, about two-thirds will need workers to have some form of postsecondary education or training. So, although there are more jobs, they are more competitive.
To compete for the jobs of the future, students will need to attain higher education. Yet, graduating alone isn’t enough to meet modern labor requirements and the challenges of the future workforce. Schools need to help students prepare with additional soft skills training and experience. This is on top of their degrees.
Employers seek graduates with excellent communication skills, self-awareness, supplemental and specialized skills, and expertise. Students benefit when their schools help them develop these characteristics. This happens outside their typical courses.
There are many reasons why higher education is becoming more important for the workforce. First, as the global economy becomes more competitive, employers are looking for workers who have the skills and knowledge to help them stay ahead of the curve. Higher education provides students with the opportunity to develop these skills and knowledge.
Second, as technology continues to evolve, many jobs that once required only a high school education now require workers to have college experience.
As technology expands across all industries, the workforce is shifting. Automation will replace some jobs. And jobs will be added that require new skills from the workforce. Skills that involve applying expertise, leadership, decision-making, interacting with stakeholders, and managing people.
McKinsey Global data reports that about 10% to 12% of Canadians could face job loss if they don’t upskill to acquire new formal qualifications. In the United States, McKinsey analysts forecast that 15-30% of the workforce could be unemployed as a result of automation. Higher education supports a better outcome for a transitioning workforce.
Finally, as the cost of living continues to rise, workers with a higher level of education are more likely to earn salaries that can keep up with the upward trajectory. In fact, according to the Pew Research Center, workers with a bachelor’s degree earn about 60% more than those with only a high school diploma.
How Universities Can Prepare Students for Future Jobs
In an increasingly competitive global economy, a college degree is no longer enough to guarantee a good job. In order to ensure that graduates are ready, universities must do more than provide academic instruction. They must also provide students with the opportunity to gain practical experience. This helps students develop the skills valued by employers.
Internships and Cooperative Employment Programs
One way that universities can prepare students for future jobs is by offering internships and cooperative education programs. At least 60% of students in each graduating class since 2013 completed an internship and/or co-op during their time in college (National Association of Colleges and Employers). These programs give students the chance to gain real-world experience in their chosen field. They can develop important professional skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving.
Developing Practical Skills
Another way that universities can prepare students for future jobs is by offering courses that focus on developing practical skills. The student success department can connect learners with supplemental courses. They may be interested in taking soft-skills classes to enhance their degree. For example, many business schools now offer courses in data analytics and machine learning, two areas that are in high demand. By offering such courses, universities can give their students a competitive edge in the job market.
Career Counselling
Universities can prepare students for future jobs by providing them with career counselling. This helps them with their job search. Universities have career centers that offer a variety of services to help students. They help students find employment after graduation. These services can be helpful for students who are unsure of what they want to do after graduation.
By offering internships, cooperative education programs, courses focused on practical skills, and career counseling services, universities can prepare their students for the workforce and help them secure good jobs after graduation.
The Connection Between Education and Careers
There is no one answer to the question of what role higher education should play in preparing students for their futures. There is a general consensus that education and careers are interconnected. A well-rounded education can help students develop the skills and knowledge they need to be successful. Higher education can provide students with opportunities to explore different fields of study and gain real-world experience. They can help equip students with the skills employers need now and in the future.
Students want to secure the skills they need to get a job, get a promotion, or to help them transition to a new career. Universities must research to understand the current trends in the workforce. They need to know what employers are looking for and make sure they set their students up for career success.
Industry and Institution Partnerships
Some universities are leading the way when it comes to industry-institution partnerships. One example is seen in the collaboration between Coventry University and Unipart Manufacturing. They have a long-standing partnership that developed to see them create the Institute for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (AME). This is dubbed in the UK as the first “Faculty on the Factory Floor.” It brings academia, industry, and R&D in a real manufacturing environment.
When institutions team up with employers, they create a bridge for students. This is a relationship that fosters a learner’s development of high-impact skills that the workforce requires. Employers embrace the pairing because supporting employees’ growth and development through education is good for workplace retention. In-kind, universities like the partnership because they become part of the discussion around what’s needed, and they can better prepare students for when they graduate.
Higher Education: Student Success Centers Prepare Students for the Workforce
School administrators can support their students to enter the workforce by creating and nurturing a culture of growth, exploration, and advancement of skills.
The student success center will play a vital role in this. It’s the hub for administrators to connect students with needed support and opportunities. This is where students can access critical services and resources. Such as tutoring, workshops and events, and connecting with student advisors. Focusing on student success helps retain students. In the current economic climate, students face the challenges of the economy and potential recession.
Higher education is not just about getting a job, It’s also about personal growth and development. This is a critical role that schools play in the development of the emerging workforce.
The time a student spends in higher education helps them grow into the person they aspire to be. It’s a chance for students to explore new ideas, challenge themselves academically, and expand their horizons. Experiences through school can help students develop into well-rounded individuals. They become better prepared for the challenges of adulthood.
In short, higher education plays a vital role in preparing students for their futures. Academic life provides them with the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in their chosen career. It also provides the opportunity to access support and services to reach their highest potential. When a student is well-supported they stay in school and continue to graduation.