How the Workforce Can Meet the Economy's Demands with Jason Altmire and Riley Burr

In this week's episode, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan speaks with Jason Altmire and Riley Burr, authors of the recently published book, Trade Up: Why the Future Belongs to Skilled Trades and How Career Education is Transforming the Workforce. Their conversation touches on how skilled workers will help power the infrastructure of the AI revolution, and what is keeping people from accessing trade schools and alternative career paths that can provide immense opportunities in today's economy. Tune in to learn more about the future of skilled trades. 

Links Mentioned in Today's Episode:

career.org 

tradeupbook.com 

IN TODAY'S EPISODE: 

• [01:30] An introduction to today's guests and topic of discussion.

• [02:50] Defining the problem: the gap between jobs and skills.

• [05:12] Riley unpacks the scope of the skills gap.

• [06:30] How AI is impacting the issue and their thoughts on what might happen in the future.

• [11:20] They pinpoint the barriers to getting more kids onto the trades-career path.

• [13:40] What students might experience if they pursue an education at a trade school.

• [17:00] They discuss other paths that exist to close the gap, like apprenticeships.

• [21:00] What we can learn from Switzerland regarding apprenticeships.

• [22:30] The role trade unions play.

• [23:00] What policymakers can do to create more access and opportunities for trade
education.

• [27:47] How policymakers can respond to what Gen Z wants.

• [29:20] Concluding thoughts from our guests on today's topic of conversation.