In August, Jane Oates, senior policy advisor and former president at WorkingNation, spoke to the National ACT State Organizations Virtual Conference about the evolving job market, how technological advancements affect skill requirements, and the timeless value of uniquely human skills. ACT State Organizations represent individuals from the earliest grades through careers, providing opportunities for diverse groups of education and workplace professionals to connect, learn from one another, and unify in purpose. In this blog post, Oates delves deeper into the importance of staying skilled, inspired, and ready to compete in today's dynamic workforce.
What is the most important lesson you learned about workforce development and employment trends while serving as president of WorkingNation?
The biggest lesson is that everything is local. The national data on in-demand jobs, job vacancies, and talent needs give us widespread trends, but the true information comes at the local and regional levels. That is why partnerships are critical. Workforce and economic development have blurred lines. When existing businesses are looking to grow, or new businesses are looking to move in, the strength and vitality of the relationships among business, education, and workforce development will determine success.
How can collaborations between education institutions, employers, and policymakers contribute to building a more resilient and adaptable workforce?
When businesses can clearly articulate their talent needs, educators know how to create or revise curriculum. In the past, we spoke about job titles and we are making real progress toward clear language on specific skills. We have work to do to clarify which industry-recognized credentials have legitimate power in the hiring process. Some sectors are clear for example, truck drivers need a commercial driver’s license but most are vague, which has caused confusion and the creation of credentials that do not add any value at all when applying for a job. Educational programs legitimately try to respond to the open jobs that they see, but without specificity from the employers, they are working in a vacuum and may miss the mark.
What specific skills are becoming most critical for job seekers in today's market?
Digital skills and technological skills are at the top of the list for many jobs. Each employer may have different technology, but having familiarity with digital tools will enable you to transition from Excel to Slack or Google Docs.
Data analytics is used in every sector, so understanding how to interpret and communicate patterns and trends in raw data has become an important task. This blending of digital skills and communications skills is becoming common; it is no longer enough to input the data; you need to be able to communicate data findings to others. That blending requires a new preparation where technology meets expressive language and communication skills. Historically, training programs have not integrated academic and vocational skills.
And, of course, we need to continue to embed uniquely human skills into all programs. Teamwork, critical thinking, adaptability, and creativity should be encouraged throughout education and evidence of these skills should be included in resumes and cover letters.
As technological advancements force shifts in the job market, how can individuals develop and emphasize their uniquely human skills to stay competitive?
Students and incumbent workers should take every opportunity to engage in activities that demonstrate their human skills. While in school, participating in competitions in robotics, poetry, and other content areas individually or in a team can effectively demonstrate creativity, leadership, and teamwork.
As an incumbent worker, you can use the professional development or the longer-term education benefits that your employer offers. Many employers offer opportunities through their community service office to volunteer in your community during the workday. Not only is this a terrific way to give back, but it also offers opportunities to demonstrate leadership and adaptability. Lifelong learning has been a term that has been used for decades but in 2024 it is the way the world of work operates. You need to refresh your skills often to stay relevant.
I have repeatedly used the word demonstrate because when it comes to uniquely human skills, it is hard to assess, and you really do need to show someone specific examples. No one can deny you have skills when you have authentic projects on the job as your proof.
Despite the growing number of job openings, many people still struggle to navigate their career paths. What advice would you offer them, and why is it important to stay inspired and motivated during this process?
First, know that you are not alone. Even in a robust economy, many people struggle to find a quality job with a real career path. If you are happy with your current employer, you should work with human resources or a supervisor to map out the possibilities, remembering that a career path does not have to be a straight line. In those discussions, you should examine the skills that you have, where those skills could take you, and what additional skills you need to acquire to get where you’d like to be. Let’s say you are working for a manufacturer on the production line. You like your employer, but you see that the traditional growth is to be a supervisor, and it doesn’t look like there will be an opportunity there any time soon. Could you go into marketing or sales? Could you join the team that does customer care? Your employer does not want to lose you, so these ‘lattice’ moves are becoming more common.
The nirvana of the work world is working for an employer who values you, and doing work that gives you fulfillment and purpose. Do not walk away from an employer who values you until you have explored jobs that might give you that sense of purpose. There is dignity in every job, but because 40 hours is a significant portion of your week, don’t stop looking for a job that keeps you motivated. But remember, stay employed until you have that dream job in hand!
As an incumbent worker, you can use the professional development or the longer-term education benefits that your employer offers. Many employers offer opportunities through their community service office to volunteer in your community during the workday. Not only is this a terrific way to give back, but it also offers opportunities to demonstrate leadership and adaptability. Lifelong learning has been a term that has been used for decades but in 2024 it is the way the world of work operates. You need to refresh your skills often to stay relevant.
I have repeatedly used the word demonstrate because when it comes to uniquely human skills, it is hard to assess, and you really do need to show someone specific examples. No one can deny you have skills when you have authentic projects on the job as your proof.
Despite the growing number of job openings, many people still struggle to navigate their career paths. What advice would you offer them, and why is it important to stay inspired and motivated during this process?
First, know that you are not alone. Even in a robust economy, many people struggle to find a quality job with a real career path. If you are happy with your current employer, you should work with human resources or a supervisor to map out the possibilities, remembering that a career path does not have to be a straight line. In those discussions, you should examine the skills that you have, where those skills could take you, and what additional skills you need to acquire to get where you’d like to be. Let’s say you are working for a manufacturer on the production line. You like your employer, but you see that the traditional growth is to be a supervisor, and it doesn’t look like there will be an opportunity there any time soon. Could you go into marketing or sales? Could you join the team that does customer care? Your employer does not want to lose you, so these ‘lattice’ moves are becoming more common.
The nirvana of the work world is working for an employer who values you, and doing work that gives you fulfillment and purpose. Do not walk away from an employer who values you until you have explored jobs that might give you that sense of purpose. There is dignity in every job, but because 40 hours is a significant portion of your week, don’t stop looking for a job that keeps you motivated. But remember, stay employed until you have that dream job in hand!