The Penn Foster Blog

2020 has been riddled with ongoing change due to the lasting impacts of COVID-19, and these changes have undoubtedly had an acute affect, in particular, on the way Americans are able to work. Specific to the skilled trades, there are many ways in which this sector of the American workforce has been continually affected. Looking onward to 2021, there are a handful of likely trends we can expect within this industry as these changes continue to unfold.

Obtaining a high school diploma is an important pre-cursor to entering the workforce or pursuing post-secondary education, but the reality is that for high school dropouts, it can be difficult to go back and complete their degree. As an educational, occupational, and leadership program for low-income youth who have dropped out of school, Project YouthBuild in Gainesville, Florida knows this better than most.

There is no doubt that 2020 has left its mark on the healthcare industry. Grappling with an unprecedented pandemic that continues to strain healthcare systems across the country has indelibly impacted how, when, and where medical services are administered. The rapid changes that have been implemented in the last nine months will continue into the new year and, for some, far beyond it. Preparing for those changes is vital to success – not only in combating the pandemic, but in growing and maintaining a medical practice into the future. With that in mind, here are our top predictions for the healthcare industry in 2021.

Acknowledging that the industry has largely prevailed in this turbulent period, it’s important to recognize improvements in the field and the tools that will be instrumental to any veterinary team’s success in 2021, large or small. How can practices capitalize on the current success they may be experiencing to ensure that it lasts when the future is unclear? Here are some of our predictions for the state of the veterinary industry in the upcoming year and beyond.

2020 has been a year unlike any other. With the pandemic changing our economy, how we work, and what roles are considered essential, there's a lot to talk about. The past months have shown that adaptability and innovation are vital to success – with or without a pandemic – and that the future of work is going to look a little different next year. As we prepare to take on a new year, we’re looking back at our 2020 milestones to get ready for a positive start to 2021.

Current trends suggest that by 2028, 2.5 million of today’s manufacturing workers will need some form of yearly training, and approximately 21 million new hires will need some form of new employee training. Unless leaders take steps to plan for these mounting training and retraining needs, projections suggest that a growing headcount within manufacturing could be left unmet as industry leaders struggle to keep up with growing educational needs.

Amidst a new year approaching, the country is grappling with rising COVID-19 cases and worker shortages, predicting the future of work in 2021 is different than ever before. While the October jobs report shows employment numbers slowly clawing their way back up from the historic decrease of the spring, some sectors are expected to lose what jobs they’ve gained. However, the impact of the pandemic is also expected to influence what jobs are in-demand throughout the next year – and perhaps the next decade. What roles will be most needed in 2021 and how can you prepare to meet that demand? Here’s what you should know.

There is no question that the pandemic has resulted in a shift in thinking about how work is conducted. Workers now contemplate how to strategically drive their careers forward, or restart them, and employers reconsider how best to strengthen or retrain their workforce while so much remains unknown about the future and economic growth. As working from home has become a new normal for many, businesses in high demand industries are seeking skills training to better prepare their employees for long-term success. This is due in large part to the ease and cost of upskilling current employees as opposed to recruiting new ones.

National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) is a nationwide celebration that brings together business leaders, career seekers, labor, educational institutions, and other partners in celebrating and acknowledging their support for apprenticeships. In addition to celebration, this week also calls for helpful communication, encouraging relevant leaders to showcase the programs apprenticeship-seekers can explore, as well as the stories of success found by apprentices of the past.

There is no doubt that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic will be long-reaching, affecting almost all industries well into the future. In order to survive and thrive post-pandemic, being able to pivot and adapt to the changes is a must. For the veterinary industry, which has seen an influx of new patients and clients due to an increase in pet ownership, a change in processes has already made a difference for practices across the country. From leveraging technology to improving communication, here’s how the pandemic has changed the way veterinary practices do business presently, which could carry forward post-pandemic.