Jobs for the Future (JFF)’s Post

During the State of the Union last week, President Biden acknowledged his administration’s efforts to connect high schools and local businesses “so students get hands-on experience and a path to a good-paying job, whether or not they go to college.” At JFF, we’re excited to see this energy for blending our education and workforce systems to foster common purpose among educators and employers and to smooth the pathways from education to careers. JFF’s vision for what we call the #BigBlur would erase the arbitrary dividing line between high school and college, radically opening opportunities for learners outside of the traditional school-to-college pipeline. The Big Blur has long been a priority for JFF, but this election season, we’re heartened to see national attention, as well as meaningful progress, happening within state legislatures. Colorado lawmakers recently introduced a package of workforce bills to strengthen college and career pathways for young people. Blurring the lines between learning and work is a crucial step toward eliminating the dead ends that millions of workers and learners face at school, at work, and in their lives. To learn more about the kinds of federal and state policies that we believe hold the key to a future that knows #NoDeadEnds, read our blog and sign the pledge to stay connected. Read the blog and sign the pledge: https://lnkd.in/e-BrbX7T Learn more about the Big Blur in Colorado: https://lnkd.in/eDvg_Zuc #SOTU #StatePolicy #FederalPolicy #ReimagineEducation

This was such a helpful and energizing panel of bipartisan experts. Regardless of where you stand on #WIOA reauthorization, I think we can agree that the workforce landscape is changing, so quickly, and that we do need to think bigger than "one bill to fix it all". One of my takeaways is the importance of career exploration connected to MANY on-ramps and #NoDeadEnds. From a K-12 perspective - earlier holistic career exploration AND baked in opportunities for low-stakes, consistent, work-based learning are needed throughout the student journey if we want to see our young adults launch successfully after high school. #wkdev #workforcedevelopment Anyone else attend this panel and leave with lots to think about?

Did you watch the video of speech given by the NEA president? We heard terms like “social justice” and “diversity, equity, and inclusion.” And they wonder why American parents want education, not indoctrination. Critics blast the nation’s largest labor union for putting politics before academics https://lnkd.in/ezAgaMsQ #StudentsFirst #SchoolBoardTraining #EducationLeadership #BoardMemberTraining #BoardEffectiveness #EducationTraining #SchoolGovernance #BuildingStrongSchoolBoards #EducationPolicy #EducationLeaders #NSBLC #MomsforAmerica #MomsforLiberty

Love these steps. The word, 'incremental', is a powerful word in a change agenda. Get the journey going, moving, hitting milestones, with everyone understanding the roadmap & proceeding in the journey(s) as well.

"I think getting these kind of incremental changes and reforms that are being considered across the line and signed into law, I think would be terrific," JFF CEO Maria Flynn told moderator Paul Fain and a bipartisan group of policy experts at JFF's #virtual panel yesterday. "But I would also hope that the next administration—whoever's in the White House—can launch a more robust, holistic view and review of what is a lifelong learning or talent development system for the United States and what should that look like, so it isn't beholden or built off of systems that were designed for a bygone era." Almost 400 people tuned in to watch JFF's live panel, "The Outlook for Workforce and Education Policy," on the future of education and workforce policy in the U.S., where Maria joined policy experts Michael Brickman, Denise Forte, Seth Harris, and John Pallasch to discuss voter perspectives on policies from both political parties this election year and on JFF's bold federal #NoDeadEnds policy priorities. 📺 If you missed the stream, watch the full recording on YouTube: https://hubs.la/Q02RMzgC0 Fellow panelists from past Democratic and Republican administrations agreed with Maria’s call to action and shared common ground in encouraging the next president to take action on: 1️⃣ Promoting a skills-first approach to employment and education 2️⃣ Expanding Pell grants to include quality, short-term credentials 3️⃣ Focusing on data, performance, and accountability to better assess and fund what works and incentivize systems to better serve the needs of people 4️⃣ Enhancing career guidance so people are better equipped to navigate their learning and work options 5️⃣ Pushing for innovation and swifter governmental action to address critical workforce and skill needs But what does this mean for the learners and workers navigating our country's outdated #education and #workforce systems, whose paths to economic advancement are filled with dead ends? And what can you do to help? 🔗 Learn more about JFF’s No Dead Ends policy campaign, read our federal and state policy recommendations, and sign the No Dead Ends pledge to join us in advocating for change: https://hubs.la/Q02RLTy80 #Election2024 #skillsfirsthiring #HigherEd #federalpolicy #jobs #wkdev

Explore these top five strategies to get Pennsylvanians back to work! From supporting career pathways to modernizing education and investing in skilled professionals, we're building a stronger workforce for Pennsylvania. Learn more at buff.ly/4aWX66x. #CareerDevelopment #WorkforceTraining #ProfessionalGrowth #CareerCoach

🗳️ Calling All School Social Workers! 🗳️ As we approach a pivotal moment in our nation’s history, it's crucial that we recognize the power of our vote—not just as citizens, but as advocates for the students and communities we serve. Our profession sits at the crossroads of education, social justice, and community well-being, making our collective voice more important than ever in shaping the policies that impact those we support. We’re excited to launch the 2024 Voter's Registration Campaign: "Amplifying the Voting Voice of School Social Workers." This isn’t just a campaign—it's a call to action. By voting, we influence the direction of our schools, communities, and nation. We're inviting state organizations to create and submit a 30-60 second video sharing a personal message on the importance of voting. This is your chance to inspire peers, students, and your community to exercise their right to vote and highlight the crucial role school social workers play in advocating for change. 📅 Submission Dates: Sept. 9th - Sept. 27th 📧 Submit to: Ali Langen, Communications and Marketing Specialist, at Ali@sswaa.org. Let’s unite to ensure our voices are heard, our values are represented, and our communities are empowered. Your leadership and commitment to this campaign will make a lasting impact! #SSWAA #VoteForChange #SchoolSocialWork #VoterRegistration2024

🗳️ Calling All School Social Workers! 🗳️ As we approach a pivotal moment in our nation’s history, it's crucial that we recognize the power of our vote—not just as citizens, but as advocates for the students and communities we serve. Our profession sits at the crossroads of education, social justice, and community well-being, making our collective voice more important than ever in shaping the policies that impact those we support. We’re excited to launch the 2024 Voter's Registration Campaign: "Amplifying the Voting Voice of School Social Workers." This isn’t just a campaign—it's a call to action. By voting, we influence the direction of our schools, communities, and nation. We're inviting state organizations to create and submit a 30-60 second video sharing a personal message on the importance of voting. This is your chance to inspire peers, students, and your community to exercise their right to vote and highlight the crucial role school social workers play in advocating for change. 📅 Submission Dates: Sept. 9th - Sept. 27th 📧 Submit to: Ali Langen, Communications and Marketing Specialist, at Ali@sswaa.org. Let’s unite to ensure our voices are heard, our values are represented, and our communities are empowered. Your leadership and commitment to this campaign will make a lasting impact! #SSWAA #VoteForChange #SchoolSocialWork #VoterRegistration2024

A 17% increase is a start, but we must do a lot more. Teachers need at least a 30% increase, and not over 3 or 6 years when inflation has had a chance to decrease its value even more. They need at least $60,000 now. Teaching is the hardest job I’ve ever had, and its also the lowest paying job. This is unacceptable. We often lament the challenges students face as they deal with poverty, but there are teachers that also deal with poverty. We cannot expect transformational work in the classroom when teachers suffer through financial hardships. Starting teacher pay should be $60,000 and we can make it happen.

We are taking big steps to Tear the Paper Ceiling in Louisiana! As someone who doesn't have a traditional four-year degree, I'm what's known as a STAR - someone who is skilled through alternative routes. For our government to succeed, it is crucial that we attract and retain the best talent available. This is why I'm thrilled to share that HB566 has been officially signed by Governor Landry and will take effect on January 1, 2025. This landmark legislation, spearheaded by Representative Dixon Wallace McMakin, BRAC's Brace "Trey" Godfrey, Kean Jones, and others, is a game-changer for our state. With over 1,000,000 folks in Louisiana’s workforce—like myself—without college degrees, the room for more economic opportunity is now possible. 🔹 So what is HB566? HB566 is designed to break down the "paper ceiling" by prohibiting the baccalaureate degree requirement for state employment. This means starting next year, a college degree will no longer be a mandatory prerequisite for most state jobs. Instead, the focus will be on relevant skills and experience, opening doors for countless talented individuals across Louisiana. 🔹 Why is this important? Economic Opportunity: By valuing skills over degrees, HB566 will expand job opportunities for many residents, including those who have gained valuable experience outside traditional educational pathways. Diverse Workforce: This law will help diversify the talent pool, bringing in individuals with varied backgrounds and perspectives and fostering innovation and creativity within our state agencies. Addressing Workforce Shortages: Many skilled workers who have been previously overlooked due to degree requirements can now contribute to our state's growth and efficiency. 🔹 What's the impact on Louisiana This legislation is poised to significantly raise economic opportunities for Louisianians, allowing more people to pursue fulfilling careers in public service without the barrier of a degree requirement. It recognizes the importance of practical experience and ensures that our state benefits from the full range of talents available. Let's celebrate Louisiana's progressive step towards a more inclusive and equitable workforce. Kudos to all involved in making HB566 a reality! #Louisiana #skillsbasedhiring #InclusiveWorkforce #tearthepaperceiling #PublicService #skillsfirst