Webinar recap: “How to use labor market data to inform workforce-aligned experiential learning opportunities.”
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On October 22, 2024, Riipen hosted an in-depth webinar titled “How to use labor market data to inform workforce-aligned experiential learning opportunities.” The session was led by key experts in the field, including Charles Ansell, Vice President of Research, Policy, and Advocacy at Complete College America, and Josh Mitchell, Vice President of Academic Partnerships at Riipen. Moderated by Dr. Mara Woody, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Riipen, the webinar offered valuable insights into the role labor market data plays in creating more workforce-relevant educational experiences for students.
The importance of labor market data in higher education.
Charles Ansell began the conversation by outlining how labor market data can directly inform curriculum design, helping institutions stay aligned with local and national workforce needs. He highlighted tools such as government data, proprietary sources, and reports from organizations like Georgetown’s Center for Education and the Workforce. Through these resources, institutions can map program offerings to in-demand career paths, ensuring that students develop skills for sustainable careers with living wages.
Charles shared success stories where labor market data drove institutional changes, focusing on how academic programs can evolve to meet the rapidly shifting demands of industries like technology, healthcare, and business. He emphasized that relying on real-time data allows schools to design more resilient programs that meet student needs and address the future of work.
- Key takeaway: Integrating labor market data into curriculum planning equips institutions to offer programs that align with employer needs, preparing students for meaningful careers that match job market demands.
Bridging the gap: Experiential learning and workforce readiness.
Josh Mitchell then delved into how Riipen’s project-based learning model serves as a critical bridge between academic learning and workforce preparation. He discussed how experiential learning enables students to apply classroom knowledge to real-world challenges, providing them with the hands-on experience employers are looking for. Riipen’s partnership with Lightcast and its skills taxonomy further enhances this alignment, ensuring students develop validated skills that industry leaders recognize.
Josh provided examples of institutions successfully using Riipen to integrate workforce-aligned experiential learning projects into their programs. These examples illustrated the powerful role experiential learning plays in closing the skills gap and giving students a competitive advantage in today’s job market.
- Key takeaway: Riipen’s project-based learning model delivers practical, hands-on opportunities for students to develop skills that align with employer needs, helping to close the gap between academic knowledge and workforce expectations.
Tackling the challenges of data-driven education.
During the panel discussion, moderated by Dr. Mara Woody, the speakers addressed the common challenges institutions face in integrating labor market data into their curricula. They explored how faculty, administrators, and employers can collaborate to align academic programs with real-world demands. One key point discussed was the importance of agility—how institutions must stay flexible and responsive to the evolving workforce landscape, especially with the rapid pace of technological advancements such as automation and AI.
Both Charles and Josh emphasized the importance of preparing students not just for the present but for future careers. With new technologies continually reshaping industries, institutions need to build dynamic programs that evolve in tandem with these changes. Smaller institutions, particularly, were encouraged to leverage partnerships and platforms like Riipen to provide scalable solutions for aligning workforce needs with experiential learning opportunities. This call to action should motivate institutions to stay agile and provide relevant, forward-thinking programs that prepare students for future job markets.
- Key takeaway: Collaboration between institutions and industry, supported by platforms like Riipen, enables higher education to stay agile and provide relevant, forward-thinking programs that prepare students for future job markets.
Insights and questions from the audience.
Audience engagement was a key element of the webinar, with polls and a Q&A session sparking valuable dialogue. Participants highlighted a shared focus on improving skills development, job placement rates, and student preparedness for an increasingly dynamic workforce. Through live polling, it was revealed that most attendees rely on government labor market data, but many are seeking ways to enhance how they integrate these insights into their curriculum planning.
In response to audience questions, the panelists offered practical strategies for aligning general education courses with workforce skills, tackling the “false dichotomy” between academic learning and career preparation. There was strong interest in how institutions can adapt to rapid workforce changes and better integrate experiential learning into all areas of study.
- Key takeaway: Institutions recognize the importance of continuous adaptation and are eager to find new ways to use platforms like Riipen to provide their students with the skills and experiences they need for career success.
Access the complete webinar materials.
Unlock valuable insights from our recent session. Dive deeper into the key takeaways shared by our experts:
Ready to transform your institution’s approach to experiential learning?
Riipen helps institutions provide students with real-world, project-based learning experiences directly aligned with workforce needs. Our platform connects educators, students, and employers to create hands-on learning opportunities that build the skills today’s employers demand.
To learn how Riipen can support your institution, book a chat with our team today: https://www.riipen.com/book-a-demo
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