Edtech and Workforce Development News Roundup - 10/24
- Heather Harman
- Oct 24
- 4 min read
Our weekly roundup of education technology, workforce development, and venture capital news.
In the current era of the modern workforce, ensuring job quality, equitable education, and effective career preparation is of increasing importance. The articles in this week's News Roundup reveal notable disparities in employment conditions across the United States, alongside emerging approaches (such as artificial intelligence) to support learners with diverse needs. Additionally, new initiatives focus on creating alternative pathways that better prepare students for sustainable careers. These developments, including personalized learning technologies and community-based projects, offer valuable avenues for edtech and workforce development organizations to foster meaningful progress and support individual growth.
Study Reveals Stark Job Quality Gaps Across U.S. Workforce – There is a great opportunity for edtech and workforce development companies to play a vital role in closing the job quality gap by providing targeted training, upskilling, and access to career advancement opportunities, especially for marginalized groups such as women, people of color, and those without college degrees. By developing accessible, personalized learning platforms and programs that enhance skills and promote continuous growth, these companies can help workers attain higher-quality jobs that meet their financial and professional needs. Additionally, they can foster workplace equity by offering resources that address discrimination and support agency and voice, empowering employees to influence workplace decisions. Creating tools that facilitate predictable schedules and promote work-life balance can further improve job quality, ultimately contributing to improved well-being and economic stability for workers across industries.
How to use AI to support learning differences – AI holds significant promise for enhancing inclusive education and tailoring instruction for students with learning differences, with tools like Polaris aiding in creating and monitoring individualized education plans (IEPs). However, ethical concerns regarding student data safety and the early stage of AI implementation in schools remain barriers, as many districts lack clear policies and understanding of AI capabilities. Experts emphasize the importance of working with established organizations that have long-standing AI expertise and recommend transparent communication with families to build trust and ensure responsible adoption of AI technologies in education.
Career Readiness in the Real World [Podcast] – This episode of EdSurge’s The Idea Spark discusses how to better connect education with employment in the face of evolving industries and a widening skills gap. Featuring experts from NCCER and Pearson, the conversation emphasizes the importance of credentialing, industry alignment, and strategic partnerships to help students transition from the classroom to meaningful careers, particularly within construction. For edtech and workforce development companies, it highlights the need to develop scalable, industry-aligned pathways and innovative credentialing solutions that prepare learners for the workforce and bridge the skills gap effectively.
Proving the Value of a Degree: Enhancing Career Readiness with Experiential Learning – This on-demand webinar from University Business offers valuable insights for edtech and workforce development companies by showcasing how higher education institutions are innovating to better prepare students for the workforce. It highlights the shift from traditional transcripts to comprehensive learner records that capture a broader range of student skills, experiences, and competencies aligned with employer needs. The webinar demonstrates strategies for integrating experiential learning, engaging community stakeholders, and enhancing career readiness, all key areas where edtech solutions can support and scale these initiatives.
Let’s Bring Project-Based Learning and Community Service Into the 21st Century – Transforming traditional project-based learning (PBL) by integrating it with community impact initiatives fosters deeper engagement, real-world skills, and civic responsibility among students. This article emphasizes moving beyond superficial presentations to authentic projects that address local community needs through inquiry, collaboration, and iterative problem-solving. The approach encourages students to explore personal motivations, conduct research, build partnerships, and execute tangible solutions, thereby developing skills like communication, teamwork, adaptability, and leadership. For edtech and workforce development companies, this model highlights opportunities to support scalable, low-cost tools that facilitate inquiry, project management, stakeholder engagement, and reflection, helping schools create purposeful learning experiences that prepare students for complex, unpredictable workplaces and foster community trust.
How Gen-Zers Are AI-Proofing Their Careers – Gen-Z is quietly adapting to AI-driven disruptions in the job market by proactively shifting careers, pursuing “AI-proof” fields, and engaging in side hustles, often without fanfare or alarm. This generation’s pragmatic response emphasizes resilience, adaptability, and diversification, serving as a potential blueprint for others facing rapid technological change. Understanding this shift is crucial for edtech and workforce development companies, as it underscores the need to support flexible, skills-based learning, entrepreneurial mindset development, and career agility, preparing learners not just for current jobs, but for a future where multiple streams of work and continuous adaptation are essential.
As employment trends shift, implementing specialized training programs, accessible learning resources, and flexible career development options will be crucial in addressing existing inequalities and building a more inclusive labor market. By adopting these forward-looking strategies, edtech and workforce entities can contribute significantly to creating a future where equitable access to quality jobs and opportunities for advancement are within reach for all learners.