The 21st Century Workforce
This discussion focuses on the skills and knowledge organizations are increasingly seeking from today’s employees. The articles below discuss the challenges of new employees’ skill gaps and initiatives centered on preparing existing employees for new jobs and creating programs for students that offer alternatives to traditional four-year degree programs including Microsoft’s global initiative aimed at bringing digital skills to 25 million people worldwide, and Google’s certificate-based curriculum they consider equivalent to a college degree. LinkedIn also recently published its “Most In-demand Skills 2020” of soft and hard skills employers are seeking. Please read the articles and research the topic to answer the following questions.
Discussion Questions:
1. Discuss why Amazon is spending $700 million to retrain more than 100,000 workers. Has the program been successful?
2. In what ways is Microsoft’s approach different in terms of scale and scope. What is Microsoft hoping to achieve with its initiative?
3. Relate your own views on the skills and knowledge all business students should have to be prepared for jobs in today’s business environment. In what ways do you think business schools (such as Turner College) should adapt to help students gain these skills? (e.g., should business schools have more hands-on, real-world learning opportunities, more or less online courses, should certificate-type courses like Microsoft and Google offer be part of the curriculum, etc.). List at least three ideas and support them with additional research or personal/professional examples.
Answer each question separately.
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