As hiring becomes more skills-based, academic programs must look for innovative ways to incorporate internships, experiential learning opportunities, and credential programs into their offerings. According to a recruiting trends report by the Collegiate Employment Research Institute, 78 percent of employers report that hiring depends more on experience, practical sense, and ability to do the job, rather than academic major. By innovating from within, institutions can adapt their programs to better prepare students to start or advance their careers.
The Chronicle's latest report,
"Career-Ready Education: Beyond the Skills Gap, Tools and Tactics for an Evolving Economy," moves past the definitions of the skills gap and the accompanying blame game. It explores the forces driving change and the challenges ahead, ways to structure academic programs to foster employability, and strategies for building effective relationships with employers.
