A widening mismatch—especially after COVID-19 disruptions—in the recognized competencies that Californians have today and what the workforce and economy needs to stay competitive drives growing social, civic, and economic instability. In her latest blog post, California Competes Executive Director Dr. Su Jin Gatlin Jez outlines five bold policy solutions aimed at promoting better alignment between higher education and workforce.
Dr. Jez discusses proposals focused on:
- A GI Bill-like grant program for underpaid essential frontline workers without degrees
- Postsecondary training with a job offer for completers
- An Adult-Serving Institution designation
- Postsecondary-workforce compacts
- Career pathway initiatives
“California’s economy requires higher education to transform in order to ensure our state maintains its strength and addresses growing inequities.”— Dr. Su Jin Gatlin Jez
As California’s policymakers, advocates, and organizations formulate their agendas for the upcoming legislative session, Dr. Jez offers insights on solutions to better position the state’s higher education system as a vehicle for workforce success that leads to economic, social, and civic strength.
