#LowerEd: Why a Critical View of the “Skills Gap” Is Essential in Today’s Higher Education Landscape

September 29, 2017, 10:00 am - 1:30 pm

Wisconsin Idea Room (159) Education Building, 1000 Bascom Mall

Dr. Tressie McMillan Cottom

Assistant Professor of Sociology at Virginia Commonwealth University

Dr. Tressie McMillan Cottom

The “skills gap” idea - that millions of well-paying jobs go unfilled due to a higher education system that is inadequately aligned to workforce needs - is deeply influencing education and workforce development policies at the state and national levels. The purpose of this symposium is to spark dialogue about issues related to the skills gap narrative (i.e., internships, labor market data, and for-profit colleges), and why critical analyses of these issues are essential so that students can make informed decisions about their educational and career plans. 

This event is hosted by the Center for Research on College-Workforce Transitions.