Even as recently as six or seven years ago, most hiring for in-store, consumer-facing roles happened when companies placed ads in a local newspaper and candidates sent in resumes through the mail. That began to change as use of the Internet gained traction. Today, as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the World Wide Web […]
Why “Economic Immobility” is the New “Income Inequality”
There’s no more vexing and persistent issue today than youth unemployment, particularly in America’s largest cities, places that propel the dueling forces of prosperity and poverty. Primary factors that tip the relative strength of those forces are access to affordable education and skills training, as well as credible pathways for young adults to earn meaningful […]
When Corporate Training is ROI-focused and Individualized, Everybody Wins
It’s time to reimagine—and democratize—corporate training. In too many companies, training is seen either as C-suite perk or a reward to the internal department that makes the best pitch for the available dollars. There is a better way to view and implement corporate training; it should be return on investment (ROI)-focused and individualized. Certainly, the […]
How Job Corps Can Become the 21st Century Skills Hub
There’s no more vexing and persistent issue today than youth unemployment, particularly in America’s largest cities. And to the extent that great moments can be born from great challenges, this moment may be the opportunity for Job Corps, an organization that serves approximately 60,000 youths annually, to answer the skills crisis among disaffected youth. Indeed, […]
Penn Foster’s Rich History: 125 Years of Adapting to the Needs of America’s Workforce
As posted on FosterEDU American education evolved into its current system by adapting to advancements in technology and changes in the labor market. Penn Foster’s history is rooted in response to and growth from these very same changes. Our career-oriented courses not only provide vital training to American workers looking to advance their careers and […]
A Day to Be Thankful For: A Letter from the CEO
As posted on FosterEDU As we take the time to reflect upon what we’re most thankful for this holiday season, I am filled with gratitude whenever I get the chance to witness something truly remarkable. Earlier this month, I was fortunate enough to attend Penn Foster’s Scranton-based graduation and student meet-up event, orchestrated for 60 […]
How to Break the Unemployment-Enrollment Link
As posted on FosterEDU A simple, yet troubling rule of thumb drives enrollment to community colleges, for-profit colleges, and some four-year open-access institutions. As reported by Inside Higher Ed, employment and unemployment rates drive spikes in enrollment at these institutions, and play a much greater correlation than other population trends. It’s a logical and consistent […]
What’s Missing from the College Completion Agenda that Could Benefit America’s Economy – A Path to Get There
As posted on FosterEDU The college completion agenda is picking up across the nation. States are seizing the opportunity to set new goals for increasing the number of citizens who hold postsecondary certificates or degrees. The ultimate aim of this initiative is to generate a more skilled, qualified and credentialed pool of candidates to infuse […]
Penn Foster Programs Then & Now
As posted on FosterEDU blog Since the 2013 State of the Union address, the Department of Education has renewed emphasis on programs that prepare students with the skills employers demand, particularly in science, technology, engineering and math.1 The department’s 2015 budget reflects this priority, with $170 million earmarked for programs that prepare students for STEM-related […]
125 Years: The Honor of Labor
As posted on FosterEDU blog Since its inception in 1890, Penn Foster has dedicated itself to enhancing students’ lives by imparting the knowledge, skills and credentials to help students get started on their career path. In doing so, Penn Foster has paid tribute to the honor of skilled labor. From extending educational opportunities to miners, […]
