Happy 2025

Uncertainty looms after a busy year for workforce education and the labor market.

Author

Paul Fain
January 02, 2025

Selected 2024 highlights from Work Shift, The Cusp podcast, and this newsletter.

Work Shift is largely supported by donations. Thanks to several foundations and individual donors, we'll be able to produce agenda-free, in-depth coverage of the busy education-and-work space through 2025. But we won't be able to continue beyond next year without your help.

Please consider making a gift. We’d like to keep working with savvy reporters around the country who are tracking how the labor market is changing, and what that means for education and job training.

Our coverage is focused on lower-income Americans, who don't get the attention they deserve, from policymakers or media outlets. The financial incentives aren’t there for advertisers to float this work. Your support allows us to report on research, policies, and experiments that matter for working learners and frontline workers. We’ll be back in your inbox next week.—PF

Artificial Intelligence and Economic Opportunity

AI in Its Play Era

In the world of education and workforce training, AI is in its play era. This Work Shift deep dive looks at big trends in training and economic opportunity as the use of this new technology takes shape.

The Vulnerable Lower-Middle Class

Women in administrative and office roles may face the biggest AI automation risk, find Brookings researchers armed with data from OpenAI.

Rapid Responses to AI

AI could displace middle-skill workers and widen the wealth gap, says landmark study, which calls for better data and more investment in continuing education to help workers make career pivots.

Community College Hubs

At the Frontier of College Funding, Texas Is Finding its Footing

A year in, a new community college funding model focused on “credentials of value” has boosted in-demand programs, but work remains on defining and tracking value.

Community Colleges Emerge as Key Players in ‘Good Jobs Challenge’

Two years in, the federal grant program has helped 8,700 Americans move into 'good jobs' in fields like forestry and biotech, but colleges and other grantees have work ahead to hit the goal of 50K.

As Dual Enrollment Booms, the Focus Widens to Career

Once ‘programs of privilege,’ dual enrollment pathways at community colleges are shifting to focus on a broader range of students and career options.

Career Paths and Skills-First Hiring

The Profit Motive

Investment titan Blackstone on why casting a wider net in hiring and helping frontline workers move up in careers is good for the bottom line. Also, Year Up rebrands while seeking to offer sectoral training as part of a broad set of workforce solutions for employers, community colleges, and regional coalitions.

Co-Producers of Talent

Seizing the moment with place-based economic policy and how employers can help create more nimble education systems.

Paying for Pre-Hire Training

More companies realize they need to pay for the training of entry-level workers, with some now backing short-term programs at community colleges. Also, a coalition of tech giants describes how AI is changing job roles.

Apprenticeship

Can Indiana Crack the Code on Swiss-Style Apprenticeship?

A coalition of business and education leaders plans to create 50K youth apprenticeships in the next decade. If successful, it will be the first large-scale initiative in the U.S. to successfully adapt the Swiss model.

Multiverse Is Getting Out of Apprenticeships in the U.S.

The U.K.-based apprenticeship company had high hopes for the American market, but will now focus on upskilling programs.

In-Demand Careers

Waiting for Projected Jobs

Timing matters for workers who pursue training to break into emerging industries.

Healthcare High Schools

Bloomberg and hospitals back dual-enrollment path from K-12 to high-demand jobs.

The Cusp: Highlights from Season 1

To support Work Shift, including this newsletter, please donate here. Thanks! —PF