Episode #33
Beyond the Degree: Preparing People for a Changing Workforce with Dr. Courtney Brown | EP. 33
What kind of education will prepare Americans for jobs that may not even exist yet? Dr. Courtney Brown, Vice President of Impact and Planning at Lumina Foundation, joins host Rick Farrant to discuss how education and training beyond high school can lead to good jobs, economic opportunity and greater prosperity. Lumina Foundation has established an ambitious national goal: By 2040, 75% of adults in the U.S. labor force will hold a college degree or another high-quality credential that leads to economic prosperity. Brown explains why reaching that goal will require more than encouraging everyone to pursue a traditional four-year degree. Students and workers also need access to valuable certificates, certifications, stackable credentials and work-based learning that allow them to adapt throughout their careers. The conversation explores: - How education must respond to a rapidly changing workforce -Why durable human skills will remain essential alongside AI - How to distinguish valuable credentials from those that offer little return -Why public confidence in higher education has declined - How colleges can make costs, outcomes and career pathways more transparent - What foundations consider when supporting new ideas - How states can use workforce data to identify credentials that lead to strong wages and career mobility - Why opportunity after high school must remain accessible to everyone Learn more about The Midwest Flourish and discover ways to help your organization and community thrive at MarketingTheMidwest.com
