Can the Tech Skills Gap be Closed

Can the Tech Skills Gap be Closed Companies are making major investments in new technology in order to maintain relevance. However, the success of new technology does not rely on how fast companies are to adopt. Rather, it relies on how thoughtfully companies are in educating their workers to actually use new technology. The reality is, insufficient training and support around the adoption of new technology is stunting career growth and resulting in a rising lack of confidence among workers in their technical abilities. In fact, according to Docebo’s 2019 Tech Skills Index Report, nearly half of working Americans regret not receiving more tech training. It’s not just employees who are impacted by a growing technology skills gap â€" the scourge will come for companies as well if more is not done to empower workers with necessary skills. So how does a business go about tackling this major, growing and global issue? To close tech skills gaps, organizations need to prioritize training and development above all else. No generation gets behind The job market is evolving and as a result, Baby Boomers are falling behind. For these experienced workers who have demonstrated their dedication to the workforce over decades, this is more than scary â€" it’s demoralizing. In fact, one in four Baby Boomers don’t think they have the skills needed to win a new job. Especially when comparing themselves to their younger co-workers, nearly half of Baby Boomers don’t feel as tech-savvy. Unfortunately, this gap in digital literacy does not stop with Boomers, with 21 percent of working Americans, in general, saying they don’t feel they have the necessary tech skill sets to position themselves as an experienced candidate for a new role. Clearly, when it comes to operating in the digital world, employees are lacking confidence in their technical skills and it’s hindering them from progressing in their careers. But whose responsibility is it to empower workers with necessary technical skills for the workplace the employer or the employee? The truth is, this feeling of under-qualification and uncertainty is caused by inadequate on-the-job training, not by personal technological inadequacies. The lack of training on the part of the employer is prevalent and debilitating. Nearly 20 percent of U.S. employees don’t receive any tech training at all. And for those that are receiving tech training, it’s not necessarily effective, with nearly half of employees regretting not receiving more training as previously mentioned. This intergenerational problem is impacting workers of all ages, but it’s imperative for employers to leverage the resources necessary to address the growing issues with generational skills gaps before it poisons more of the applicant pool. Shifting away from a traditional training approach In today’s modern workplace, where functions and processes evolve and update at lightning speeds, it’s concerning to see how many organizations rely on outdated training for their employees. The biggest fear of an employer should not be that their employees become too skilled and qualified to do a job, but rather that their employees become stagnant in an environment that does not challenge them or worse, begin to lack confidence in their ability to perform their job day-to-day. To combat stagnation and this feeling of inadequacy, employers must shed their traditional approaches to training and embrace new and more effective methods for connecting with workers. Employees don’t want to resist training. In fact, workers who have received training from employers say they want more training, especially Millennial workers. Issues only arise from employees being made to do training that is outdated, irrelevant, superfluous and ineffective.   Training needs to be informal, accessible, and available on-demand so that it becomes an integral part of employees’ day-to-day. Ultimately, closing the tech skills gap means addressing internal talent first not searching for new talent elsewhere. Approaching training with modern learning preferences in mind think mobile capabilities, or social media-like interactive opportunities ensure that current employees are growing the skills they’ll need to fulfill the changing needs of your business. The power of AI One of the most powerful tools in any employer’s kit is AI, especially when it comes to creating the infrastructure for effective training programs. AI-powered learning tools are helping employees understand how to work with AI-technology. The platforms work alongside employees and use technology to help elevate learning, rather than deter. In schools across the world, curriculums are becoming more interactive and personalized than ever, as tailored lessons are proven to be more effective for learners. Employers must approach their in-house training in the same way. Lessons should be personalized to each employee, progress along with them to optimize learning, and have direct ties to real-world, actionable issues. It’s not just the employees that benefit from the implementation of AI in training. AI-driven training platforms also help HR staff track progress so employees don’t feel stagnant, or that they’re lacking important skills to progress in their careers. This deep understanding of employees allows a company to better empower and grow its workforce through concerted, proven programs. AI-powered learning tools help executives identify these knowledge-gaps even if they don’t have the opportunity to connect with staff and discuss roadblocks one-on-one. Training can be tailored to support employees who have specific skill sets that need improvement, whether it be technical or otherwise. The technology skills gap will only continue to grow if real change is not implemented when it comes to learning and development. Training is as important for employees as it is for their employers â€" without the proper support, workers will grow to stagnate and will ultimately stall the growth of an organization. Employers must be proactive when it comes to implementing personalized, tailored, AI-driven training to keep the correlation of employee support and business results trending upward together. About the author:  John Coffee, is a Talent Acquisition Manager at Docebo, focusing on hiring the best talent for Docebo, an E-Learning SaaS company while implementing programs that drive retention and employee engagement.

The World of Advanced Degrees

The World of Advanced Degrees The way we look at educational attainment has changed in the last decade or two. A 2015 survey found that 8 percent of Americans now have master’s degrees, which translates to about 16 million people. The master’s degree is the fastest-growing college credential right now. The number of master’s degrees issued has shot up 43 percent since 2002, which was the year some of the earliest members of the millennial generation graduated from high school and entered college. A master’s degree in today’s era is about as common as a bachelor’s degree was in the 1960s. If you decide to seek out additional education after obtaining a bachelor’s degree, you’ll have plenty of company. The Sciences Not every master’s degree will lead to a more lucrative job. Degrees in science and business are among the most valuable. They tend to lead to higher pay and better job satisfaction. By contrast, people with advanced degrees in graphic design, interior design, and early childhood education are more apt to report lower pay and unsatisfying jobs. Some fields are also growing faster than others, and that makes an online data science degree a good choice for those who already work in a similar field or have an interest in changing careers. A data scientist has to be knowledgeable about the fields of business and engineering. That can be a tricky combination to pull off, but with the right coursework and a single-minded devotion to improving yourself, you can set yourself up for a nice career. An online degree also gives you the chance to learn at your own pace rather than requiring you to be in a classroom every Tuesday and Thursday from noon to 2 p.m. People who obtain online degrees need to be self-starters who don’t require a lot of outside prompting, and that label doesn’t apply to everyone. However, if you have no trouble finding your own internal source of motivation, you’re already off to a good start as you pursue a career in data science. Business As of 2014, the most popular master’s degree was the Master’s of Business Administration, or MBA. It accounted for just over 25 percent of advanced degrees, surpassing education for the first time ever. MBAs are seen as carrying a high return on investment, and those who work in business love getting a good return on investment, or ROI. An MBA is considered a pretty safe bet, although not all MBAs are created equal. We can’t all get a business degree from Harvard or Stanford, but a business degree from a well-known state school can also act as a signal to future employers that you know what you’re doing. An online MBA sets you up for a rewarding career in business without requiring you to upend your life to return to school. Just beware of the diploma mills who prey on unsuspecting students. Going back to school for a master’s degree often means taking out student loans, and it would be a shame to take out loans for a degree that’s not worth the paper it’s printed on.

How to Remain Steady and Move Forward - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

How to Remain Steady and Move Forward - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Most people new to business are unaware of the steps to keep business and career on track. Adding to the problem is a complete lack of understanding as to the importance of the steps listed below as they apply to achieving success. Standing still in business or a job, as people remain in their comfort zone, may be likened to encountering a sink-hole and suffocating. Technology and society move too quickly to believe it’s okay not to dedicate oneself to continued learning. The only standing still that one should allow is to let your mind wander while figuring out what comes next. While being different allows ones personal brand to stand out, when it comes to creativity or standing still, being in The only standing still that one should allow is to let your mind wander while figuring out what comes next. While being different allows ones personal brand to stand out, when it comes to creativity or standing still, being in like-minded company is a good start. Five topics follow that will assist you to move forward more quickly. The only caveat is these work only if they are adhered to at least every working day. Goals Not only is each goal to be verbalized, but it needs to be well-defined with the understanding of all that is entailed to see it through to completion. Timeline All goals and projects need a date agreed upon for completion. We all know that on occasion life gets in the way. For this reason, a safety net for action is to accompany the timeline. One example is to set aside an evening each week to do catch-up work. Clarity Everything intended is to be thought out in detail. Examine the pros and cons and what might happen “if…” In this manner, we are prepared to deal with the good and the bad that may occur. In some cases, as you examine the details, an improved route will be detected. Preparation is everything. If you work with a team or co-workers, the clarity provides a game plan for everyone to be on the same page. It also provides the opportunity for each member to provide input and most often, a more robust plan comes to light. Facts   When it comes to business, alternative facts are not an option unless one wants to go to jail. Actual, factual facts are essential for every instance. As these are presented to the team, further ideas blossom to improve upon the original. Statements such as, “We will be the largest and the best…” don’t fly. However, if there is not valid proof or fact for how this is to materialize, it’s a possibility, but not yet fact. Honesty Truthfulness is the biggest differentiator for selecting projects, partners, employees and anyone else you may encounter. Is the person honest or do they typically gloss over the truth? Before entering into any agreement, do research to ensure everything is above board. You aren’t alone if you ever held the thought, “I wish I knew ahead of time…” The only way anyone will know ahead is if they ask the right questions. And this is Sales Training 101. An insightful QA should always precede selling. Read the Blog, “Why Sales Are Lost and What To Do”  speaks to improving your approach. The final winning touch is to make it a six-month habit to review everything you put into place. Analyze the pros and cons of each effort to delete, tweak or expand. The analysis will get your entire effort on the fast track and enhance the likelihood for you to achieve your future vision. Following these guidelines will lead you to the Smooth Sale!

Five top tips to avoid sexism

Five top tips to avoid sexism Yesterday was International Women’s Day and it seemed a shame not to recognise this with a post. Gender equality has not been achieved. The gender pay gap has been in the news again this  week,  as has the news that attempts are at last to be made to tackle sexism in football.   It’s great that these issues are being publicised but why is it taking so long to address them and what can we do about it? Don’t leave casual sexism unchallenged. Sadly we all hear sexist jokes on a regular basis and it’s all too easy to become conditioned to them so that, even as women, we barely hear or acknowledge them. Things aren’t going to change if we are not individually prepared to call to account those who joke inappropriately. Fortunately, as a society, we have made huge progress in not accepting casual racism. We need to make the same progress with sexism. Challenge doesn’t have to be directly confrontational, all you need to do is note your attitude. Most people will probably respond to a calm: “That’s rather a sexist remark, I don’t find it funny or appropriate.” Obviously think before you speak though. Make sure that by speaking out you will not be putting yourself at risk. Don’t use the default male pronoun when you write â€" EVER! It’s clunky to write she/he all the time and sometimes confusing when you alternate between the female and masculine pronouns. To use “their” when you mean “his” or “hers” is just plain wrong, so does it matter if you just write “he” and “his”? Yes, it does! Sexism is structurally embedded in our society and it’s easy not to notice it. The more we work towards promoting equality in everything we do, the greater the chance that we can move forward to a more equal world. Men can be feminists too! Women probably can’t win this fight on their own any more than ethnic minorities can defeat racism without the support of the white population. Men, we need you to be prepared to help us! You can speak up too when you become aware of casual sexism or more serious inequality. Your masculinity is enhanced rather than diminished if you refuse to be part of laddish behaviour. Have the confidence to promote equality. As a first step you might be interested to hear Emma Watson on the  subject. Dont let the glass ceiling hold you down. Believe in yourself. While writing this I have just read an article in The Lawyer about the paucity of women in the top management of law firms, and another about the gender inequality in academic social science publishing. All of this is shocking;   for twenty years the majority of entrants to the legal profession have been women and there are a large number of feminist female academics involved in social science. It seems that the problems are also endemic in the wider business world. This comment in The Lawyer article citing a comment by Yum! general counsel Sarah Nelson-Smith about her company  did raise a wry smile for me. “In our last panel review we met more people named Mark than women!” So what makes a difference according to The Lawyer  article? A big part of what drove  (successful) women into senior roles was their drive and confidence in their performance. That is reflected in the fact they were all closely involved in the management of their respective practice areas and displayed an active interest in developing their firms’ external and internal profiles. So how you might develop  such confidence? Consider attending the Warwick Sprint programme. This is a blatant plug, not something I usually do, but if you are a female student at  Warwick consider signing up for the next Sprint programme, due to be run early next term.  Here is the  link.  Sprint has some very well-known corporate sponsors and aims to address the salary inequalities present in the graduate labour market by working with women to develop their self-belief, confidence, and assertiveness. The course  teaches women to  understand how to harness their personal power, to boost their personal effectiveness, develop networks and to link with sponsoring organisations. The first course held last term was a huge success and the programme is set to be a regular feature at Warwick. This is only open to women and gives you the opportunity to be mentored by highly successful women and to develop your own confidence. Here’s what Anne Wilson, Head of Careers here at Warwick and one of the Sprint trainers said about it: “By day 4, when students were delivering their presentations, all were standing taller than at the start of the programme. Student confidence had increased measurably, with many examples of student success in evidence. It was very moving to see how empowered the participants had become. Warwick women students are incredibly capable and talented. Some simply need some time out to develop the self- belief that will ensure their success.” And my take? Let’s work together to make some progress before the next International Women’s Day. How about starting by sending this post viral?

Interview Series - Career Experts - Natasha Kosoff from BOLD Career Coaching CareerMetis.com

Interview Series - Career Experts - Natasha Kosoff from BOLD Career Coaching â€" CareerMetis.com In this interview series, we caught up with Natasha Kosoff from BOLD Career Coachingwho shares her expertise and insights about job search, career change,etc.in today’s marketplace.Tell us a little bit about your company evalBOLD provides a full range of career coaching services including goal setting, resume, cover letter and LinkedIn writing, personal branding, mock interviews, networking strategy and related job search assistance.How did you get started in this path?I launched BOLD over 5 years ago after realizing that I wanted to help individuals contemplating career change. I enjoyed the process of guiding others to discover their interests and strengths and acting as a resource and trusted partner as they strategized their next move.Is this something you decided early on in your career? I am a career changer myself, having previously worked in regulatory banking. I made the decision to change careers and become a career coach after realizing that I wanted to make more of a di rect and personal impact.Being able to inspire and assist others going through the challenges of career transition is one of the greatest privileges, and I feel I made the best choice when I chose to pursue my passion and actualize my dreams.What is the best Career Advice you’ve ever received?Take one step This is especially important when you are feeling unmotivated, discouraged and down on your luck.Making this small commitment to yourself will have positive ripple effects down the road.evalWhat is the most exciting part of working in thisindustry? Seeing others gain clarity and confidence as they set and achieve their career goalsHow do to stay abreast of the industry as an expert? I read career related books, publications and blogs and follow the newspaper daily to keep abreast of what’s happening in the job marketWhat are some of the things that you see job seekers struggle with the most?Setting daily objectives for research, outreach, networking etc. A job search is a mara thon not a sprint â€" you have to keep going in the face of competition, rejection.Making and sticking to a commitment to contribute daily to the job search is what I see job seekers struggle with the most.What are the common mistakes that you see them do? Giving up too soon.How should job seekers approach job search today?See my answer above (things job seekers struggled with the most).Taking steps every day to reach out to your network, do research on companies, or contribute to your personal projects that enhance your portfolio is what will ultimately help move you forward.Unemployment is at the lowest levels, why do you think that is? Economy has been growing steadily since the recession in 2008-9 keeping the unemployment rate lowWhat is the biggest trend(s) you see that job seekers will face in the next 2-3 years? Increasing demand for individuals with STEM background and higher levels of educationWhat is one advice you would give someone just out of college today? Figure out w hat activities make you forget that time is passing â€" and go do them.What is one advice you would give someone who is switching careers?Carefully research the industry/role you are trying to move into, speak to as many people as possible to learn about it, try it on first through volunteering, shadowing, internships.Once you’ve decided to transition, be able to clearly and confidently articulate why you want to switch.Tell your story authentically and continue to take steps daily to get you closer to your goal (through outreach, research, networking events etc.)How should job seekers get the most out of LinkedIn?Make your LinkedIn profile as complete as possible. Job seekers with complete profiles show up most frequently in search results and typically easier for recruiters to findInclude a professional photo.Make your summary stand out by being friendly, conversational, and showcasing your unique skills and contribution.Have at least 100 connections. Anything else makes you app ear technologically out of touch, or not savvy enough to build a network.Include relevant skills and past experience and use keywords in your descriptions.Add and showcase your projects, articles, blogs etc.Always include a personal note when reaching out to people.What is the biggest trend(s) you see that hiring managers will face in the next 2-3 years?Increased competition for the strongest candidates, especially in STEM fieldsNatasha, what are you currently working on?I am currently focused on 1×1 coaching through BOLD and my Flatiron School commitmentWhat are the best resources you recommend to job seekers? Depends on where you are in your career search.If you are a new grad or a career changer trying to figure out what direction to take, then books like:“The Pathfinder: How to Choose or Change Your Career for a Lifetime of Satisfaction and Success”, by Nicolas Lore,“In Transition”, by Mary Lindley Burton Richard A. Wedemeyer.Also, tools like the Clifton StrengthsFinde r.Visit my website BOLD Career Coachingfor additional resources and recommendations.If you are clear on your direction, then it’s much more important to do research on companies of choice and speak to people who work in your chosen industry/field. There are also many dedicated career blogs you can follow that provide advice on job search best practices.What is the best way for our audience to reach you? EmailConnect with or Follow Natasha Kosoff on Social Media:LinkedInTwitterNatasha Kosoff andBOLD Career Coachinghave also been featured in our recent compilation of the most resourceful career experts and career blogs â€"Top Career Advice Websites.

Top 5 Secrets to Keeping 2010 Career Resolutions - Pathfinder Careers

Top 5 Secrets to Keeping 2010 Career Resolutions - Pathfinder Careers Top 5 Secrets to Keeping 2010 Career Resolutions As the ball drops in Times Square to bid farewell to 2009 and usher in 2010, many people turn to the well-intentioned and time-honored tradition of making New Year’s resolutions which, as we all know, are usually broken before they even get off the ground. So instead of silently vowing that 2010 is the year that you ditch that overbearing boss and go find a new job, you should instead make career resolutions that will actually stick. The top five secrets you need to know about keeping your 2010 career resolutions will help you stay on track, be focused and get the results you want. 1. Think long-term. Don’t do a knee-jerk reaction of “I hate my boss- I’m going to take the first offer I get and get out of this place!” â€" this is just a short-term solution to an annoying problem. You are actually sabotaging your career in the long-term by making an un-meditated leap to the next thing that rolls along, regardless as to whether this new opportunity is actually going to help your overall direction. Take the time to think about what it is that you really want to do, and build a plan around it. If you aren’t sure what it is that you want to do in your next job, try hiring a professional career coach to explore the types of work that has meaning and/or is more interesting to you. Or, you can also explore your skill strengths and vocational interests with books like, “What Color is My Parachute” by Richard M. Bolles or take a Vocation Vacation where you ‘test-drive’ your dream job before committing time and resources to switching careers. The key poin t: Do your research before you jump ship. You’ll be glad you did! 2. Break your 2010 career management goals down into steps. What do you want to accomplish this year? Do you want a new job? Do you want a new title? Do you hope to earn more money? Be specific in your career goals, and then sketch out the steps necessary to get there. By actually taking the time to write out what your goals are, you are starting the process of developing a road map. This will engineer a clear path and by having clear, actionable steps along the way, you are providing yourself with benchmarks towards achieving those objectives. Make sure to maintain an active component to your career progression by incorporating professional education/development opportunities into your plan, which will help hone your job knowledge, and join industry-related membership organizations to enhance your credentials. Volunteering also raises your profile as a leader who has the capacity to give back. 3. Keep track of your accomplishments. How many times have you sat down to update your résumé and realized a little too much time has gone by since you last worked on it? Trying to remember what you actually did at each employer can be a daunting task if you have to dust off performance reviews and thumb through aging documents. Keeping your accomplishments up to date on your résumé reminds you of your value to your current or prospective employers. Another thing you can use this for is when you are feeling a little down in the dumps about your career, you can review your accomplishments. This is a sure-fire way to give yourself a much-needed boost â€" “I did this!” and that can be just the thing you need to get rolling again. 4. Plan to expand your contact base. By creating a plan to build your network through active engagement in industry-specific events or general business gatherings, you never know who you are adding to your repertoire of professional contacts. While the results might not be immediately fruitful, keep in mind that building trust and becoming a known quantity takes time. If you cultivate your contacts carefully, you’ll open yourself up to more job opportunities by referral. Remember, most jobs are found through someone you know! 5. Keep a diary of your progress. By documenting your job search and career management efforts, you’ll see a cumulative effect of your forward motion. Maintain a list of who you’ve met with, what jobs you’ve applied for, articles that you’ve read that pertain to your industry, and what additional educational opportunities you’ve been to… all of these add up to a career resolution that propels you towards your career goals, rather than treading water with no clear direction towards shore. By taking these tips and putting them into motion, you’ll have a more fulfilling 2010. Happy New Year!

High School Resume For College - Writing a College Resume

High School Resume For College - Writing a College ResumeHow to write a high school resume for college is something that you should be familiar with. Writing a resume should be fun and enjoyable so that it comes across in the best possible light. There are a lot of students who apply for college but have no idea how to write a resume. There are a few basic tips that can help you avoid the same mistakes that I made when I applied for college.First, keep your resume as professional as possible. It is very important that you do not forget about professionalism when you are writing a resume. You want it to look like you have been working hard all throughout your high school years. You need to make sure you are making the most of your high school years by providing all of the information they need to make an informed decision. Even if your high school transcripts are on file, they should still be called into consideration so that your high school career experiences are highlighted in thei r eyes.It is important that you highlight all of your high school career experiences. Try to make sure that you highlight everything that you did during your time at high school. This includes things like times you won or made awards or other kinds of accomplishments. Doing this will make it easy for your career coach to write your resume.You will also need to show your long term plans for your future. If you were interested in science, and now you want to go into medicine, you need to make sure that your resume has this in there somewhere. Otherwise, you may end up missing out on something if you just throw in the medical experiences you had because they weren't in your overall plan to start with.Another common mistake is not including any of your extracurricular activities. Many times these are listed in high school yearbooks. If you have anything listed in the high school yearbook, then make sure to write it down somewhere so that it is remembered. There are many student organiza tions out there and if you went to a lot of them you may want to consider using your high school transcript to your advantage. Make sure to mention all of your co-curricular activities on your resume.It is very important that you include your educational background and major field of study in your high school career experience. If you were interested in science, and now you want to go into medicine, you need to make sure that your resume has this in there somewhere. Otherwise, you may end up missing out on something if you just throw in the medical experiences you had because they weren't in your overall plan to start with. Make sure to mention all of your co-curricular activities on your resume.Even if you didn't actually go to college during your high school career, you can add them on. Usually they will be listed on your high school transcripts. If you have never attended college in the past, I would highly recommend that you write this into your resume as well. Your high school career coach will appreciate you for taking the extra time to be more informed when it comes to your high school career experiences.Don't forget to include your high school career experiences when you are preparing your high school resume for college. You should make it look professional, fun, and most importantly professional so that your career coach or someone else reading your resume can see how well you have grown over the years.