Originally posted in our June 2021 Top of Mind Newsletter.
When we think about well-being in 2021, employment is likely high on the list for most of us. However, the pandemic has exposed various holes in our economic structures. Employers and workers feel short-changed from wage stagnation, health and safety concerns, infrastructure, and lack of talent. Some believe a significant factor to this is an education system (at least in the US) that has not kept pace.
In this HBR article, we see statistics showing graduating students that feel underprepared. These statistics tell a story of an increasingly disenfranchised workforce; coupled with an education system that may not be able to pivot fast enough to meet new demands.
While refocusing on vocational training prepares more students to enter the workforce quickly, it may not answer a more profound question. Once students enter the workforce, they will likely find that the skills they develop in school will not last long. But, bearing in mind the concepts we learned about in the PERMA+ Model and how they relate to the self-organized nature of entrepreneurship, we can see some possible solutions.
So, what can we do to create agile workers who are self-directed and resilient? Perhaps shifting our focus towards entrepreneurial skills is the answer. With this new emphasis, students can see gaps in their qualifications as growth opportunities rather than reasons not to apply.