Edtech and Workforce Development News Roundup - 7/11
- Heather Harman
- Jul 11
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 30
Our weekly roundup of education technology, workforce development, and venture capital news.
In today’s rapidly transforming job market, continuous skill development, innovative educational approaches, and mental health support are more critical than ever. From the rising demand for targeted training to tackling chronic absenteeism and preparing teens for future careers, the articles in this week's News Roundup highlight the pivotal role that edtech and workforce development companies can play in shaping a resilient, inclusive, and adaptable workforce. As organizations like Delta Air Lines and UpSkill Academy demonstrate, strategic investments in skills-based training and mental health initiatives are key to fostering sustainable growth and opportunity across industries.
When Students Don’t Show Up, It’s Not the Kids Failing. What Schools Should Do – Chronic absenteeism, which has surged notably since the pandemic, signals deeper issues of student disengagement rooted in school culture and external challenges. Addressing it requires more than punishments; it demands creating welcoming, student-centered environments where students feel a sense of belonging, ownership, and trust. Strategies include involving students in shaping school activities, fostering genuine connections through informal conversations, and engaging families through meaningful interactions. These approaches emphasize relationship-building, celebrating student efforts, and providing flexible support. Edtech companies can help solve this issue by developing platforms that facilitate personalized communication, enable student voice and leadership opportunities, support social-emotional learning, and streamline family engagement, all aimed at making schools more engaging and responsive to students' needs.
Skill development opportunities influence job choices, survey shows – The recent Aerotek report highlights a significant opportunity for workforce development companies to make a meaningful impact by addressing the growing demand among job seekers for skills-building and continuous learning. With nearly 75% of job seekers expecting employers to offer training opportunities—and many leaving jobs due to lack of skill development—there is a clear need for targeted education in technical and leadership skills. Workforce development providers can help bridge skill gaps, enhance employability, and support industries facing labor shortages by offering relevant training programs, including emerging areas like AI. By partnering with employers to prioritize ongoing education, these companies can play a crucial role in attracting and retaining talent in an evolving job market.
With high schoolers’ help, UC Berkeley researchers investigate why so many students are chronically absent – In a collaborative, youth-engaged research initiative between UC Berkeley and San Francisco public schools designed to address chronic absenteeism, students played a central role in identifying root causes such as transportation issues, mental health challenges, bullying, and feelings of disconnection, providing firsthand insights that complement traditional data. By involving students in formulating research questions, analyzing data, and interpreting results, the project aims to develop more effective, evidence-based solutions to reduce absenteeism and improve school climate. Edtech companies can help tackle chronic absenteeism by creating platforms that facilitate student voice and engagement, offering tools for real-time attendance tracking, mental health support, and personalized interventions. Such technologies can empower students, streamline communication among stakeholders, and deliver data-driven insights to inform targeted policies and support services.
Survey Finds Teens Worldwide Are Lost in the Transition After High School – The State of Global Teenage Career Preparation report highlights a concerning gap in global teenage career preparation, revealing that many students are uncertain about their future, lack awareness of diverse career options, and have limited exposure to real-world work experiences. Young people often hold outdated or narrow career aspirations and feel unprepared for life after high school, with socioeconomic disparities widening these issues. Edtech and workforce development companies can play a vital role by creating early, engaging career exploration tools, virtual internships, and personalized guidance platforms that broaden students' understanding of in-demand careers. They can also develop accessible resources for parents and educators, facilitating ongoing career conversations and practical experiences that help students align their aspirations with labor market needs, ultimately empowering a more informed and prepared workforce.
From Commitment To Action: Delta Air Lines’ Skills-Based Transformation – Delta Air Lines’ successful shift to a skills-based talent management model highlights the broader potential for the workforce community by demonstrating that large organizations can effectively prioritize skills over traditional credentials through strategic change management. This approach promotes greater career mobility, inclusivity, and employee development, empowering workers to grow and adapt within their roles. For the wider workforce, Delta’s example underscores the importance of investing in continuous learning, leveraging technology for personalized development, and fostering a culture of agility and performance. Such transformations can lead to more diverse, skilled, and engaged employees across industries, ultimately enhancing organizational resilience and customer experiences in a rapidly evolving job landscape.
Countering the big impact of poor mental health on academics – The recent Ripple Effect Report highlights a growing crisis in student mental health, with 62% of educators expressing concern about its impact on academics. Mental health challenges are linked to increased school absences, behavioral disruptions, and teacher burnout, straining school resources and special education services. Virtual therapy, social-emotional learning, and creative activities like art and music are identified as effective interventions. Edtech companies can play a crucial role by providing accessible virtual mental health services, developing engaging social-emotional learning platforms, and integrating mental health support tools into classrooms to address this urgent issue comprehensively.
UpSkill Academy Announces Skills-Training Partnership With AI CERTS™ – The partnership between UpSkill Academy and AI CERTS™ reflects a significant shift in the edtech and workforce development sectors, emphasizing the urgent need for AI and blockchain skills as organizations prepare for transformative changes in the workplace. By offering extensive, job-level AI certification courses, the initiative aims to equip professionals across industries with essential technical competencies, facilitating rapid reskilling and upskilling in response to the projected $42 billion annual investment in generative AI projects. This move underscores a broader industry trend toward accessible, flexible learning solutions tailored to evolving workforce demands, ultimately promoting widespread AI literacy and supporting organizational adaptation in a rapidly changing digital economy.
By embracing insights and technological innovations, edtech and workforce development companies can better address current challenges and unlock new potential for learners and workers worldwide. Whether through tailored education programs, student engagement platforms, or mental health support tools, the future of learning and work depends on our collective ability to adapt and innovate.