The Penn Foster Blog

Recently, the Labor Department shared exciting news about the US job market, boasting a 3.9% unemployment rate. An achievement certainly, but for many employers, the low unemployment means stiffer competition for their labor force. In the skilled trades industry particularly, this means employers must differentiate themselves to maintain a skilled workforce and talent pipeline, all while also combatting other workforce challenges related to the skills gap.

More Needs to be Done to Help the Working Class

On April 6th, friends and families gathered to watch their loved ones reach a significant milestone in their lives, as Chicago CRED welcomed its newest group of 27 high school graduates. Twenty-six men and the program's first female graduate walked across the stage to receive their high school diplomas, taking an important step in their journey to make a difference in their communities and create better lives for themselves and for their families.

The solar power industry is booming. Although legislative challenges still exist, the overall trajectory of the solar power industry is upward. Any company involved in residential or commercial electrical services or any power-related service should be keeping a sharp eye on this emergent industry.

U.S. companies spent more than $7.5 billion on outside products and services for employee training in 2017, according to the 2017 Training Industry Report. And for good reason, training improves retention, drives productivity,  and closes skills gaps.

5 Key Insights on the Future of the Labor Market

The past couple of months have been a whirlwind for education, edtech, and workforce development, but one story has become increasingly prevalent: More and more companies have continued to invest in employee training, development, and education.

The time to train front line supervisors is now. In a piece published by Industry Today, Penn Foster's Head of Skilled Trades Division, Collin Gutman, explains the crucial need for front line supervisor training. While often selected to supervisor positions given their success as front line employees, Gutman shares how the skills needed by front line employee to supervisor aren't always aligned, making the transition both "bumpy and jarring." 

I recently had the pleasure of travelling to beautiful New London, N.C. to watch 100 young adults, varying in age from 17 to 19, walk proudly across a stage in front of an audience of friends and family as they received their certificate of graduation from Tarheel ChalleNGe Academy " New London. Penn Foster partners with Tarheel ChalleNGe to offer an accredited high school diploma through the program; I was invited to the ceremony to help celebrate the achievements of the 22 students in the class who were also receiving their Penn Foster High School Diploma.

The time has come to serve the middle skilled workforce in the United States. In an interview with Todd Hand of Boston Search Group, Penn Foster CEO Frank Britt explains the recent trends and future outlook for the workforce development industry. Highlighting the importance of upskilling and investing in the middle skilled, or "gray collar," cohort of workers, Britt's interview focuses on how organizations are finally becoming aware of this need for workforce development.