Future of Work

Future of Work

Building a Future Ready Workforce with Joshua Wright

In this episode of Trending in Education, Mike Palmer sits down with Josh Wright, Executive Vice President of Growth, Education and Government for Lightcast, to discuss the future of work and workforce demographic shifts. We dive deep into Lightcast’s report “The Rising Storm: Building a Future Ready Workforce to Withstand the Looming Labor Shortage.” Josh shares insights on the demographic drought facing the workforce, including accelerated baby boomer retirements, declining birth rates, and decreasing labor force participation.

Read More
Future of Work

Breaking Barriers to Workforce Participation with Jane Oates

In this episode of Trending in Education, host Mike Palmer welcomes back Jane Oates, senior policy advisor at Working Nation, for her third (fridge-magnet-earning) appearance on the show. Jane and Mike dive deep into workforce development, education, and the role of technology in shaping the future of work. We discuss Working Nation’s “Breaking Barriers” series, the challenges of implementing new technologies in education and workforce development, and strategies for encouraging employee upskilling and AI literacy.

Read More
Future of Work

Creating a New Marketplace for Work Experience with Matt Wilkerson

In this engaging episode, Mike Palmer sits down with Matt Wilkerson, the founder and CEO of Extern, to discuss his innovative approach to bridging the gap between education and the workforce. Wilkerson shares his fascinating journey, from his early career aspirations to the pivotal experiences that inspired him to create Extern, a platform that offers remote “Externships” – short-term, structured work experiences designed to equip students with real-world skills and hands-on experience.

Read More
Future of Work

Learning Science, Expertise, and the Future of Work with Dr. Bror Saxberg

In this episode, host Michael Palmer welcomes back Dr. Bror Saxberg, Founder of LearningForge, to continue their exploration of learning and its implications for the future. We dig into core concepts like working memory vs long-term memory, deliberate practice and the 10,000 hour rule, and what the latest research reveals about differences (and similarities) in learning rates. Dr. Saxberg emphasizes the brain’s lifelong neuroplasticity and potential for acquiring new skills and knowledge.

Read More
Future of Work

How Do We Build an Apprentice Nation? with Ryan Craig

In this week’s episode of Trending in Education, Ryan Craig, author of the new book Apprentice Nation: How the “Earn and Learn” Alternative to Higher Education Will Create a Stronger and Fairer America, joins host Mike Palmer to dive into how “earn and learn” models like apprenticeships can bridge the growing experience gap facing young workers seeking their first good job.

Read More
Future of Work

Escalating the Rise for Frontline Workers with Sean Segal and Sienna Daniel

Sienna Daniel and Sean Segal join host Mike Palmer in a conversation about the work they are doing at Escalate, a company focused on upskilling frontline workers. Sienna and Sean share their backgrounds in education and workforce development, explaining how their experiences led them to start Escalate. We discuss the high costs of frontline worker turnover and how upskilling can help retain employees by providing career advancement opportunities.

Read More
Future of Work

Leading The Balanced Business with Dr. Andrew Temte

Andy Temte is an experienced executive and business author who recently penned The Balanced Business: Building Organizational Trust and Accountability through Smooth Workflows. He joins host Mike Palmer in a conversation about creating effective management operating systems. Andy stresses defining organizational purpose and vision as foundational. With AI disrupting jobs, he argues learning budgets can no longer be discretionary. Companies must invest in upskilling talent. Learning has intrinsic motivational benefits similar to R&D.

Read More
Future of Work

A Challenge for Career-Connected Learning with Michelle Cheang

Michelle Cheang is the Program Director of the Catalyze Challenge. She joins host Mike Palmer in a conversation about the career-connected learning grants offered through Michelle’s organization. Catalyze aims to fund innovation in career exposure and preparation for ages 11-22 through grants, shared learning, and storytelling.

Read More