On Friday, July 24th, Dr. Ken Zeff and Tenicia Winston of Learn for Life joined MAX to discuss a challenge that sits at the heart of workforce development: how to better connect students’ natural talents with the careers that desperately need them. Zeff and Winston explained how metro Atlanta does not have a talent shortage nearly as much as it has an exposure shortage. Their message was both practical and hopeful: Students already possess the aptitude needed for many of the region’s highest-demand careers, but too few ever learn those opportunities exist.
Key highlights from their discussion include:
- Metro Atlanta’s education system serves a diverse student population, with approximately two-thirds of students considered economically disadvantaged.
- High school graduation rates have improved significantly, but postsecondary completion remains much lower.
- Postsecondary credentials continue to provide substantial advantages in earnings and employment.
- Employers’ perception of a “talent shortage” may actually reflect an “exposure gap.” Students often possess the aptitude but lack awareness of career opportunities.
- Georgia’s statewide aptitude assessment (YouScience) provides valuable insight into students’ natural abilities and potential career matches.
- Career exposure should progress along a continuum from learning about work, to learning to work, to learning at work.
- Assessments only create value when schools, employers, and counselors actively use the results to guide students.
Zeff and Winston see opportunities to unlock existing talent through intentional collaboration. Rather than asking where future workers will come from, they challenged the workforce community to recognize that the talent already exists throughout metro Atlanta. By aligning education, workforce development, employers, and community partners around earlier career exposure and better use of student aptitude data, they laid the case for how the region can strengthen both educational outcomes and its future workforce.
Special thanks to MAX board member and co-lead for the MAX Minutes series Jacque Joyce, President and CEO, CareerRise, for hosting the session.
Click here for the presentation slides.
Click here for the recording.
Additional helpful resources from Learn4Life:
ABOUT MAX MINUTES
Launched in 2014, the mission of MAX is to advance economic resilience in the Atlanta region by strengthening connections, collaborations, and practices among workforce developers and organizations engaged in workforce development.
Through our webinar series, MAX Minutes, MAX seeks to bring timely insights to providers, intermediaries, and other partners in workforce. MAX Minutes features talks by key experts in the Atlanta region and beyond on important workforce matters.