How Higher Ed Leaders Can Revolutionize Workforce Development

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About the Episode: 

This week, Dustin is joined by Julian Alssid and Kaitlin LeMoine, founders of Work Forces, about the evolving landscape of workforce development and higher education's critical role in preparing learners for career success. Julian and Kaitlin share their wealth of experience in bridging education, industry, and government partnerships to close skill gaps and create sustainable, scalable programs. From marketing effective workforce initiatives to empowering institutions as hubs of transformation, this episode dives into actionable strategies for making career-connected learning a reality.

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Key Takeaways

• Workforce Development is No Longer Optional for Educational Institutions: Rising skill demands, evolving industries, and new technologies like AI are driving closer collaboration between higher education and employers. Institutions must embrace this change to remain relevant.
• Leaders Need to Prioritize Scale and Sustainability: Many workforce initiatives fail because they’re grant-driven or leader-dependent. Sustainable programs require building infrastructure and partnerships that outlast short-term funding or visionary individuals.
• Marketing Workforce Development Programs is Critical: Effective workforce programs must be visible and accessible to learners. Institutions need to invest in targeted, multimodal outreach strategies to ensure their offerings reach the right audience.
• Education and Workforce Development Are Interconnected: Higher education leaders should embrace their role in talent development by embedding experiential, career-connected learning opportunities into their programs.
• Success Depends on Cross-Sector Collaboration: From local governments to employers to educational institutions, partnerships across stakeholder groups are essential to designing programs that close skills gaps and provide real career opportunities.

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Episode Summary

What is the current state of workforce development?
Both Julian and Kaitlin emphasized how workforce development has become more prominent over the last decade, driven by factors such as disillusionment with the high cost of traditional education, changing skill demands, and the rapid evolution of industries. Julian explained that partnerships between educational institutions, employers, and government stakeholders are becoming essential to addressing these shifts. Unfortunately, workforce development often suffers from a lack of sustainability, as many initiatives are dependent on short-term grants or individual leaders.

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What role do education leaders play in bridging the gap?
Higher education leaders are critical to fostering transformational workforce development efforts. Julian noted that educational institutions are well-positioned to serve as conveners within their communities, leveraging their academic expertise, facilities, and resources. However, he also pointed out that too many programs remain boutique efforts with limited reach, emphasizing the need for scalable models that align with workforce and economic development goals.

Kaitlin built on this by highlighting how institutions need to design experiential, career-connected learning opportunities that prepare learners for the demands of today’s job market. She stressed that education leaders must collaborate with employers to ensure that academic programs reflect real-world industry needs.

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How can workforce development efforts be effectively marketed?
Marketing emerged as a recurring theme in this episode. Caitlin explained that even the most innovative workforce programs will fail if they’re not effectively communicated to the right audiences. It’s critical to meet learners where they are—whether through digital ads, community outreach, or partnerships with local organizations. Julian also pointed out the importance of storytelling, encouraging education leaders to share their success stories and lessons learned to inspire and guide their peers.

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Why is collaboration across sectors so challenging?
Both guests acknowledged that one of the biggest barriers to workforce development is that collaboration across sectors is often "nobody's day job." Julian explained that building partnerships between educators and employers requires intentionality, political will, and strong leadership. He highlighted the workforces consulting approach of helping leaders identify actionable steps for building sustainable, scalable programs.

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How are workforce trends shaping the future of education?
The conversation closed with reflections on how emerging industries, like advanced manufacturing and renewable energy, are reshaping the skill sets required for employment. Caitlin pointed out that workforce development is increasingly focused on continuous upskilling, where learners must be equipped not only with technical skills but also with the ability to adapt and learn throughout their careers. Both guests agreed that educational institutions have a responsibility to help learners navigate these new realities.

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About the Show: The Higher Ed Geek Podcast explores the impact of edtech on the student experience by speaking with diverse leaders from institutions, companies, and nonprofit organizations. Each week we aim to provide an engaging, fun, and relevant dose of professional development that honors the wide range of work happening all across the higher ed ecosystem. Come geek out with us! The Higher Ed Geek Podcast is hosted by Dustin Ramsdell and is a proud member of the Enrollify Podcast Network.

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Connect With Our Host:
Dustin Ramsdell‍

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About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
The Higher Ed Geek is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!  

Some of our favorites include Generation AI and  I Wanna Work There. 

Enrollify is produced by Element451 — the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

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