Military and Corporations Competing for Talent Must Utilize Education Incentives

May 9, 2024
Ron Stefanski

 

It’s a fast-evolving workforce out there and the competition for talent has intensified, touching even the most traditional sectors such as the military. As companies, large and small, recognize the importance of investing in their employees through education benefits, a new landscape emerges where even the U.S. military must innovate to attract and retain personnel. This has set off a new type of war for talent.

This shift in talent acquisition and retention strategy is reminiscent of the post-World War II era when the GI Bill first introduced education as a key benefit for service members. The incentive would revolutionize the concept of educational investment by an employer.

What does this evolving dynamic mean for the future of workforce development? How are traditional institutions like the military adapting their recruitment strategies in response to the changing demands of the job market?

For the latest segment of “DisruptEd,” host Ron J. Stefanski, featured Major General Johnny Davis and Dr. Howard Liebman, both of whom are experts in the fields of military and adult education, respectively. Their discussion looked into how both the military and corporations are now seeing education as a crucial part of their value proposition to potential recruits.

Some main points of their conversation looked into:

  • How education benefits started with the military post-World War II and evolved into a widespread corporate strategy.
  • Major General Davis discussed the military’s current recruitment challenges and its strategies to compete with corporate education benefits.
  • Dr. Liebman outlined the impact of education benefits on retention rates in both the military and corporate sectors, highlighting successful outcomes and ongoing challenges.

Major General Johnny Davis has served in the Army for over 34 years and benefited from military-sponsored education himself. He is a vocal advocate for the military as a career path that offers substantial educational benefits. 

Dr. Howard Liebman is the Executive Director of the Alliance for Adult Education Foundation, with a background in adult education,  and has advised numerous corporations on educational strategies.

Article by Alexandra Simon.

Recent Episodes

The 2hr Learning Model
View episode

In an era where traditional schooling often fails to ignite students’ passions, the innovative 2hr Learning Model proposed by Alpha represents a significant shift in educational paradigms. This approach is not just timely but essential, as the quest for efficient and engaging education systems becomes more urgent in the face of global educational disparities….

Employment within the Navajo Nation
View episode

The urgency of linking education with employment within the Navajo Nation is critical, given the levels of underemployment in the community. This has sparked discussions on how to effectively bridge these gaps to foster community development and individual growth. With communities still reeling from the impact of COVID-19, targeted educational initiatives that align with…

resilience and empowerment
View episode

As society increasingly recognizes the importance of accessible education, the story of Kellie Blair Hardt, a GED Testing Service Board Member, and GED Math Tutor, stands out as a testament to the transformative power of education and a true journey of resilience and empowerment. The GED has long been a crucial stepping stone for…