Increasingly, employers say they are struggling to find—or develop—workers with the uniquely human skills that make for a great employee. Those qualities include good communication, leadership and problem-solving skills, and an eagerness to retrain and reskill as technology advances.

Through a partnership with the nonprofit Quality Assurance Commons, the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education aims to embed career competencies into a student's educational experience. The goal: to bridge the gap between the classroom and the workplace by teaching academic concepts through hands-on, practical applications and internships or job shadowing experiences. 

Michael Buchanan has held numerous jobs in his 15 years at Levi Strauss & Co., starting as a stock clerk and rising to store manager. At the end of May, he will add a new title to his résumé: data scientist.

Levi Strauss is confronting a challenge faced by companies in a range of industries from finance to retail to technology. Many of their workers lack the necessary skills to address modern business challenges. In response, some retailers are ramping up reskilling efforts, offering boot camps, adding in-house education programs, and more. 

Photo: C Bruce Forster

It’s a month until high school graduation. And in a year like no other, many high school seniors in Oregon are racing to complete classes and iron out college plans for the fall.

The pandemic has placed extra pressure on all students. But for first-generation students who are trying to navigate college applications, scholarships, and financial aid without the usual support at school, the added stress can be overwhelming.