Recent major federal investments in American industry and infrastructure have the potential to transform our economy; but are communities thinking comprehensively about the talent preparation needed to fill newly-created jobs? My latest in Forbes: forbes.com/sites/mattgand…

Great conversation w/Eloy Ortiz Oakley on The Rant podcast about how higher ed can position itself to be talent partners with industries receiving significant federal infrastructure investments. Implications extend beyond federal $ to state/local economic dev’t investments as well.

The new State Opportunity Index from Strada Education Foundation is an important framework to help shift the focus to delivering the #HigherEd value that students and communities both deserve. My thoughts on the report and the broader themes it highlights: forbes.com/sites/mattgand…

Great piece on the US strategy to expand advanced semiconductor manufacturing. As I argued in Forbes, the massive investment of federal funds to build these plants must be matched by intentional efforts to scale talent pipelines. forbes.com/sites/mattgand…

Colorado’s economy requires a highly educated workforce. By removing barriers and providing free advising and material support, Governor Jared Polis and OEDIT are putting local students on postsecondary pathways that lead to real opportunity. A great example of proactive leadership.

The buzz around skills-based hiring has yet to generate a meaningful number of skills-based hires. Why? It’s complicated. My latest in Forbes explores some of the key factors and cautions against creating a false dichotomy between skills and degrees. forbes.com/sites/mattgand…

It's time for a new approach to what we measure and value in K12 and higher ed that centers on what we're preparing students for next. Check out this new piece by Ryan Reyna & Michael Deuser in The 74 the74million.org/article/state-…

New York City is making bold moves to put more students on a path to a rewarding career while building a stronger talent pipeline for its growing economy. More about how they're working toward a goal of serving 100,000 students in Forbes: forbes.com/sites/mattgand…

There is a crisis of confidence in higher ed that is both understandable AND concerning. My latest in Forbes outlines key strategies for prioritizing, measuring, and communicating value and reversing the tide of public opinion: forbes.com/sites/mattgand…

Students deserve access to high-quality, career-connected learning—like internships—and if we want to expand access to all, those opportunities should be paid. Our latest blog introduces our 2024 cohort of summer interns - we think they are pretty great: edstrategy.org/work-based-lea…

As demand grows for short-term credentials, understanding which programs lead to real opportunity is critical. My latest in Forbes highlights new efforts to ensure that short-term credentials deliver value, and celebrates those who are leading the way. forbes.com/sites/mattgand…

Preparing students for valuable, fulfilling careers starts well before they enter college or other job training. In my latest Forbes article, I share 3 emerging strategies to reimagine what high school can provide to students: forbes.com/sites/mattgand…

At a moment when learners and lawmakers are seeking to make the tie between higher education and careers more explicit, noncredit college programs offer a big opportunity. My latest in Forbes. forbes.com/sites/mattgand…

The convergence of education and economic priorities opens up some big opportunities for the education sector to lead and innovate in 2025. My latest in Forbes: forbes.com/sites/mattgand…