Our Workforce and Education Systems Face Monumental Challenges That Call for Reform

 

Navigating a time marked by swift economic and technological upheavals, understanding the world of work and learning has become more pivotal than ever. It’s crucial to address the “elephant in the room”: our workforce and education systems are lagging behind, not quite prepared for the 21st-century challenges they face. 

As discussions revolve around repairing these cracks in the workforce and education systems, the spotlight falls on those who have dedicated decades to understanding and molding workforce policies and practices. Talking to Ron J Sefanski on the matter for an episode of “DisruptEd,” is Jane Oates, President of WorkingNation, and a stalwart of labor and education reform. On the show, Oates thought back to her time as a classroom teacher, to becoming a game-changer in the U.S. labor movement.

She has decades of experience having worked at the US Department of Labor, and US Senate’s Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee (HELP). Her company has also done work in creating short films.

Recent Episodes

Education is facing seismic shifts as schools adapt to the realities of the fourth industrial revolution and prepare for the fifth—driven by AI and rapid technological change. With superintendents and school leaders under increasing pressure, conversations about how to cultivate authentic intelligence and wisdom, not just data-driven decision-making, have never been more urgent. One…

Higher education is facing a pivotal moment. With the looming demographic cliff, rising questions about the value of a degree, and shifting demands brought by AI and evolving job markets, institutions—especially smaller colleges—are being pressed to rethink how they operate. According to the National Student Clearinghouse, undergraduate enrollment has declined by nearly 15 percent over…

Detroit’s resurgence story is impossible to ignore. Following decades of economic decline, the city has seen major revitalization, most recently highlighted when the NFL Draft drew over 700,000 visitors downtown. The stakes are high: Detroit’s growth depends not only on investments from billionaires, but on reconnecting with former residents whose personal and professional contributions…