In an ultimate meeting of the minds, area business leaders and university heads got together to hash out the best ways to move forward in a world that demands an educated workforce that also has hands-on skills.
Hosted by Felician University in Rutherford and coordinated by the Meadowlands Chamber (MC) in Lyndhurst, the two panels on Tuesday, Oct. 29 brainstormed at the 2024 Education Summit that hit home the whys and how. The Summit was an opportunity for attendees to learn about and facilitate workforce development engagement in an open discussion with HR and university executives about the concerns and challenges they face. Felician students were also in attendance.
Sandra Gilot West, Chief of Staff at the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education, opened the event with remarks about the opportunities available in the state regarding business growth and employee hires.
The two panels moderated by MC CEO Jim Kirkos and MC Senior Director Judy Ross served as an opportunity for business and university leaders to learn about workforce development, with entrepreneurs, managers, and hirers in the audience engaging in an open discussion. Attendees, mostly comprised of small business owners, HR managers, and others in the talent space, had a unique opportunity to talk with universities about the challenges they face when hiring new college graduates.
The Panels
Panel 1, moderated by Judy Ross, included Dolores Ross, VP of Human Resources at American Dream; Sarah Melvin, HR executive, East Region, Quest Diagnostics; Steve Klos, VP of HR at Russo Development; Jessica Torres-Soto, EVP, chief people office, MikeWorldWide; Nina Nardone, executive client advisor, Lee Hecht Harrison; and Elaine Fotiadis, senior VP of talent acquisition, Valley Bank.
Panel 2, moderated by Jim Kirkos, included Dr. Eric Friedman, president, Bergen Community College; Dr. Diane Recinos, president of Berkley College; Dr. Rafael Castilla,EVP of Eastwick College; Dr. Michael Avaltroni, president of Fairleigh Dickenson University; Dr. Mildred Mihlon, president of Felician University; and Dr. Michael Middleton., VP of Ramapo College.
Closing the Skills Gap
“We are making sure we have wraparound programs and services, career and counseling support,” said Felician University President Mildred Mihlon, PhD.
She pointed to digital micro-credentials and upskills — anything that will help the fill the skills gap many industries are experiencing. Organizations will see the benefits if they invest in upskilling opportunities like micro-credentials, she said. These mini-qualifications can demonstrate an individual’s abilities, knowledge or experience in a specific subject area. With micro-credentials, companies can leverage programs from educational institutions to upskill and reskill their workforce.
Unlike academic degrees, micro-credentials are more narrow in focus and can be completed in weeks or even days, all online. They can range from soft skills training like self-management to the more pressing technical skills needed by employers, like data analytics. Additionally, micro-credentials provide a more personalized learning experience that is flexible, portable and cost-effective to implement.
Mihlon added that Felician has been “pretty aggressive and intentional” about how program development unfolds.
Berkley College President Dr. Diane Racinos said career counseling support is an important part of the education at the school and they strive to “have an understanding” of the different obstacles each student has to overcome.
“Some students are already in their career” and going to school to make more money at their job. Students are often in different life stages and that to come account.
“We make sure we have wraparound programs and services,” Racinos said. “We’re looking to help students reach their goals.”
It’s this skill disconnect that university and workforce leaders are looking at and conversing about. How can business and education work together to solve problems for a better prepared workforce?
