Navigating the Future of Workforce Development: How Non-Traditional Education Can Solve Current Workforce Challenges

In the ever-evolving landscape of workforce development, the age-old question persists: Is it better to buy talent externally or build it internally? Recent research sheds light on the complexities of this dilemma and underscores the need for a strategic shift in our approach to talent acquisition and development. As we delve into this critical discussion, we’ll explore insights from prominent thought leaders and integrate the innovative services offered by Corporate College Services, experts in non-traditional education for over 25 years.

The End of ‘Business as Usual’

In a compelling keynote address at the 2023 Chief Learning Officer Symposium, Kamales Lardi, CEO of Lardi & Partner Consulting, heralded the end of what we consider ‘business as usual.’ The symposium served as a platform to discuss the transformative impact of technology on every aspect of our lives. During her presentation, Lardi highlighted the rapid progression of technological advancements and emphasized the necessity for a new playbook and set of rules to navigate the evolving business landscape.

Corporate College Services offers innovative solutions to this end of “business as usual” in the workforce via non-traditional higher education offerings. With expertise in introducing new and dynamic approaches that align with the rapidly evolving business landscape, our real-world techniques assist learners in developing new industry-relevant skills.

By injecting flexibility, adaptability, affordability, and a forward-thinking mindset into organizational learning strategies we ensure that employees are better equipped to help their companies thrive in an ever-changing world. The focus on flexible learning aims to accommodate different learning styles, schedules, and life situations, promoting a more personalized and adaptable educational experience. Our curricula are crafted in collaboration with our corporate partners so that both employees and organizations get maximum value from their tuition reimbursement programs.

Internal Talent Development vs. External Hiring

Shifting our focus to the workforce, the Executive Networks study explored the topic of internal talent development versus external hiring. Despite overwhelming evidence supporting the cost-effectiveness and morale benefits of internal hires, the research found that fewer than half of open roles are filled by internal talent. This raises crucial questions about the reluctance of middle managers to let go of their top performers so they can advance their careers and the need for a paradigm shift in talent acquisition strategies.

CCS’ non-traditional approach to education offers tailored solutions that can empower existing employees, creating a more agile, skilled, and versatile workforce for your company. By focusing on skill enhancement, flexibility, recognition of diverse skills, and fostering a culture of continuous learning, our unbundled education efforts have been proven to contribute to creating a workforce that is not only skilled but also adaptable and well-positioned for internal career progression.

Bridging the Gap: Three Strategies for Future-Ready Workforce Development

Offer Upskill Mentoring for a Cultural Shift Towards Continuous Learning:

Leveraging Corporate College Services can enhance the mandatory mentoring approach suggested by the research. Utilizing flexible learning methods will often leverage technology to offer a variety of learning modalities, such as online courses, blended learning, and self-paced study options. By incorporating this approach into CCS’s mentoring programs, companies can ensure that both advanced and junior employees can receive valuable guidance. We do this by creating an unbundled and flexible educational program that is hyper-focused on industry relevancy and easily accessible to those with resource limitations. Employees then are empowered to adapt to technological advancements and changing business landscapes. As experts in non-traditional education, CCS can design customized learning experiences tailored to the evolving needs of each workforce partnership.

Create a Culture of Internal Mobility:

To counter talent hoarding and encourage internal mobility, leaders and hiring managers need to shift the current focus and adopt a mindset that values employees’ skills and capabilities over job titles. CCS’s flexible higher education methods encourage a culture full of continuous learning and adaptability for the workforce. Training programs focus on personalized and modular learning experiences, offering clear learning pathways mapped to specific roles, so employees can understand the skills needed for career progression. This approach can mitigate the current middle managers’ concerns that their current employees lack the skills needed for higher positions as they witness their team members grow and contribute across various roles. These programs provide employees with the skills needed for new roles and projects and inter-company networking opportunities, enhancing internal talent mobility.

Adopt Skills-Based Hiring with Corporate College Services:

CCS can play a pivotal role in demystifying the process of moving within a company. By offering comprehensive training programs, supported by the CCS Advisory Advantage, employees gain clarity on career pathways and access to internal and external learning and development initiatives. This aligns with the skills-based hiring strategy, enabling workers to grow their skills for new roles or stretch assignments. Non-traditional education challenges traditional norms by promoting skills-based hiring. Corporate College Services can collaborate with organizations to design and bundle existing courses to create a customized certificate program, recognizing skills and competencies as well as formal degrees. This approach opens opportunities for a more diverse talent pool, breaking down the current barriers in the hiring process.

In a business world where less than half of all openings are filled by internal candidates, we are here to help foster transformative solutions to the challenges current employees face. The future of workforce development lies in strategic internal talent development, emphasizing mentorship, internal mobility, and skills-based hiring. Embracing flexible and unbundled educational methods is not just a solution but a strategic investment in the future readiness of the workforce. It enables organizations to cultivate a culture of continuous learning, facilitates skill development, and loyalty, and ensures that employees are equipped for the dynamic demands of the modern workplace.