Edtech and Workforce Tech News Roundup - 4/18

The latest edtech, workforce tech, and venture capital news.

Our weekly roundup of education technology, workforce technology, and venture capital news.

In the ever-evolving education environment, the intersection of technology, student needs, and workforce demands is more critical than ever. Our latest News Roundup highlights key insights from industry reports, the opinions of industry leaders, and the perspectives of learners and employers alike. As institutions and edtech companies navigate the challenges of integrating technology while prioritizing mental health and accessibility, they also have a unique opportunity to align educational programs with the evolving needs of the workforce. This week's articles cover the pressing trends and recommendations that can shape the future of education, ensuring that students are equipped for success in an increasingly AI-driven economy.

2025 EDUCAUSE Students and Technology Report: Shaping the Future of Higher Education Through Technology, Flexibility, and Well-Being – This report offers critical insights for edtech companies, highlighting key trends and student preferences in higher education. It reveals that while 69% of students are satisfied with technology-related services, many perceive their institutions as average in tech adoption. There has been a significant shift towards on-site learning, with students preferring in-person interactions for various course activities, despite the ongoing popularity of hybrid and online formats. The report underscores the importance of integrating generative AI in classrooms, where students report limited usage due to concerns over academic misconduct and unclear guidelines. Additionally, students prioritize soft skills over technical skills, indicating a gap in their preparedness for AI-related roles in the workforce. Mental health and accessibility remain pressing issues, with many students feeling dissatisfied with institutional support. For edtech companies, these findings emphasize the need to create tools that enhance in-person learning experiences, support hybrid models, integrate AI responsibly, and address mental health and accessibility challenges in educational settings.

Here’s What it Takes to Achieve Sustainable Growth in Edtech – In his opinion piece, Oliver Wreford emphasizes three key areas for edtech companies to achieve long-term success in the rapidly evolving education landscape. First, they must address the changing needs of educators and students, particularly as technology adoption varies between K-12 and higher education, by demonstrating the tangible benefits of tech-driven learning. Second, building strong, sustainable partnerships with schools is crucial; understanding their unique challenges and fostering long-term relationships can enhance customer loyalty and support growth. Lastly, edtech companies should prioritize future-proofing their offerings by embracing AI and technology while ensuring security and compliance, integrating seamlessly with existing systems, and focusing on delivering real value to users. By balancing innovation with customer needs, edtech providers can thrive in a competitive environment.

How universities can build new bridges to industry – As interest in non-degree programming rises, universities have a pivotal opportunity to align education with evolving industry needs, particularly in the context of workforce development. Edtech and workforce tech companies can facilitate this alignment by enabling institutions to build strategic partnerships that deliver high-quality, industry-recognized programs tailored to current labor market demands. By developing market-responsive course portfolios and offering flexible, career-focused learning pathways such as online courses and competency-based models, universities can efficiently equip professionals with the digital skills necessary for career advancement. This collaborative approach not only enhances economic mobility for adult learners but also positions higher education as a key player in workforce transformation, ultimately bridging the gap between education and industry requirements.

63% of employers say skill gaps are the biggest hurdles to AI adoption – As organizations strive to adopt AI technologies, skill gaps pose a significant challenge, with 63% of employers citing this as a primary obstacle. While executives recognize AI's potential, many admit to lacking the expertise to lead such transformations, creating a trust gap between leadership and employees. Edtech and workforce tech companies can play a crucial role in bridging this divide by offering tailored upskilling solutions that foster continuous learning and adaptability. By integrating AI learning agents that proactively suggest personalized development paths, these companies can help ensure that employees acquire the necessary skills in line with evolving job demands. Additionally, fostering a culture of innovation where insights bubble up from all levels of the organization can enhance collaboration between humans and AI, ultimately leading to more effective AI adoption and a more skilled workforce ready to meet future challenges.

Americans Without a Degree Still Believe in the Value of College, a New Poll Finds – A recent Lumina Foundation and Gallup poll revealed that only 18% of American adults without a college degree believe four-year colleges charge a "fair" price, yet many still value obtaining a degree for better job opportunities and improved quality of life. While perceptions of degree value have slightly declined, 70% of respondents view a bachelor's degree as highly valuable, and a majority believe that college will yield significant financial returns within five to ten years. Community colleges are seen as more accessible and cost-effective, with 40% of respondents considering their pricing fair. Edtech companies can play a crucial role by providing affordable online courses and degree pathways, offering flexible learning options that cater to working adults, and enhancing the quality of education through innovative teaching methods. By bridging the gap between community college and four-year degree programs, edtech can help individuals achieve their educational goals while addressing concerns about cost and accessibility.

Building Tomorrow's Workforce: Reimagining Systems Change for an AI-Driven Economy – The American Dream is increasingly unattainable for many, with nearly 40% of adults unable to handle a $400 emergency expense. As the World Economic Forum predicts significant job disruption due to AI and automation, the widening skills gap between what students learn and what employers need exacerbates the issue, particularly for low-income graduates from state and community colleges. Traditional workforce development approaches have proven ineffective, highlighting the need for a paradigm shift in education. Workforce tech companies can play a critical role by collaborating with educational institutions to create AI-enabled, industry-driven curricula that evolve with technology. By leveraging open-source models and data infrastructure, these companies can help ensure that training programs are relevant and accessible, ultimately fostering economic mobility and bridging the gap between aspiration and reality for underserved populations.

As we look to the future of higher education, it is clear that collaboration between educational institutions, edtech companies, and industries is essential for creating a responsive and effective learning environment. By addressing skill gaps, embracing innovative approaches, and prioritizing student well-being, we can pave the way for a more equitable and prosperous educational landscape. Explore the full insights from these articles and discover how we can collectively shape the future of education and workforce development.

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