The United States is approach a significant skills shortage, according to a new report from the Georgetown University Center for Education and the Workforce (CEW). This gap stems from a combination of demographic, economic, and educational challenges reshaping the labor market.

Over the next seven years, more than 18 million workers with higher education are anticipated to retire - surpassing the 13.8 million graduates with comparable qualifications expected to enter the workforce. Meanwhile, the economy is forecasted to add more than half a million new jobs requiring post-secondary education, with an increasing percentage of positions demanding training beyond high school. Of the 561 occupations analyzed in CEW's report, 171 are projected to experience skills shortages, with the largest gaps expected in managerial roles, teaching, and nursing.

These challenges are compounded by the so-called "demographic cliff" - a decline in the number of high school graduates entering the pipeline. Although enrollment in post-secondary education is projected to rebound slightly over the next decade, it will still likely remain below 2010 levels.

To learn more about the nation's predicted...

Hosted by the Institute for Evidence-Based Change (IEBC), the Caring Campus Conference 2025: Building a National Culture of Care will be held November 12-14, 2025 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in San Diego, California. This event brings together college and university staff, faculty, researchers, and industry experts committed to fostering a caring environment in higher education. The Caring Campus Conference will include keynote speakers, professional panels, and focused sessions.

To learn more and register, visit the conference's website.

The National Science Foundation's Advanced Technological Education (ATE) program is seeking reviewers to help evaluate proposals that advance technician education and the skilled technical workforce. This helps the ATE program funds research and development projects that strengthen two-year college STEM programs, industry partnerships, curriculum innovation, and pathways that prepare the next generation of skilled technicians.

Serving as a reviewer is a great way to contribute to the ATE community, support impactful projects, and gain insight into the NSF review process. Reviewers can be STEM professionals, community college STEM faculty and leaders, industry partners, evaluators, or STEM educators. To submit interest in becoming a reviewer, complete NSF’s survey here.

In a recent report, the Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research examines educational trends for associate of applied science (AAS) degrees, particularly those in business, information technology, and criminal justice. An increasing number of students with these credentials are transferring to four-year institutions instead of immediately entering the workforce post-graduation.

However, many AAS degree holders face challenges during the transfer process, including lower completion rates and lost program credits. Addressing these barriers is a pressing issue, with recent workforce data indicating an increasing demand for graduates with bachelor's degrees in business, information technology, and criminal justice. 

To learn more about AAS trends, transfer challenges, and targeted recommendations, read the full Belk Center report.

Supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) will be hosting this year’s ATE Principal Investigators’ (PI) Conference on October 29-31, 2025, at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. The deadline for registration is October 2, 2025.

The August/September issue of the American Association of Community Colleges’ (AACC) Community College Journal is now available online and in print through subscription. A featured publication by AACC, this journal provides contemporary information, insights, strategies, and connections for those in academia, industry, government, and workforce development.

The latest issue highlights:

• AACC's announcement of its next president and CEO, DeRionne Pollard.
• Trends in the green building industry, including within higher education.
• The importance of organizational culture, culture-building, and leadership in quickly evolving landscapes.
• Ways to prevent burnout and initiative fatigue in the face of rapid change.

AACC's August/September publication of the Community College Journal can be accessed online here, and archived issues can be viewed in AACC’s library.

In a recent Dear Colleague Letter (DCL), the National Science Foundation (NSF) has announced an invitation for supplemental funding requests from current Experiential Learning for Emerging and Novel Technologies (ExLENT) and Advanced Technological Education (ATE) grantees to test, integrate, or build upon AI-based career learning opportunities and workforce preparation efforts for high school students. 

To be eligible for additional funding, proposals must demonstrate partnership among community colleges, high schools, and industry collaborators. Supported activities include curriculum development, micro-internships, hands-on training, certification programs, and dual enrollment opportunities. 

To determine eligibility prior to official proposal submission, contact the “Expanding AI Career and Skilled Technical Workforce Opportunities in Support of High School Students” program leads by providing a two-page summary of the planned funding request, including its budget, to: 

• [email protected] for current ExLENT awardees
• [email protected] for current ATE awardees

If approved to submit, supplemental requests are due by December 15th, 2025. 

NSF ATE and ExLENT program officers...

Hosted by the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), the 2025 FOCUS: Intelligent Vision & Industrial AI Conference will be held on September 24-25, 2025, at the Sheraton Grand Seattle in Seattle, Washington.

Attendees will have the opportunity to explore cutting-edge advancements in AI-driven automation, robotics, machine vision, and transformative technology, with applications for fields including manufacturing, aerospace engineering, and information technology. Industry leaders will share expert insights on the latest AI trends and innovations, helping attendees learn, grow, and stay at the forefront of advancements.

The FOCUS conference will offer interactive exhibits for hands-on exploration of AI-based technologies, various networking opportunities to foster connection, and a variety of panel and keynote speaker presentations.

To learn more or to register for the event, visit the 2025 FOCUS conference's website. 

A recent report from the American Enterprise Institute and the Burning Glass Institute analyzes non-degree credentials for the potential to lead to increased earnings, position advancements, or career changes. 

In the report, the American Enterprise Institute notes varied results surrounding non-degree credentials, with only 12% offering the opportunity for significant salary gains. Almost one-fifth of the learners studied saw no increases in wage after program completion, and few experienced career advancements. On the other hand, the top non-degree credentials were associated with an approximately $5,000 salary bump and a 17 times chance of promotion one year later. Even within specific fields, reported outcomes were mixed, including the professions of data science, accounting, and marketing. 

To make report findings more accessible, the American Enterprise Institute and the Burning Glass Institute have developed an interactive dashboard with detailed information on the thousands of non-degree credentials studied. 

Read the full report on non-degree credentials and career outcomes here.