The Role of EdTech in Bridging Talent Shortages – EDTECH 4 BEGINNERS

The US faces an alarming talent shortage, and educational technology (EdTech) could be one of the solutions that could reverse the trend. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce reports that there are already 10.1 million job openings this year, but they project that the number will increase further in the next few years. As a result, employers in the healthcare, travel, manufacturing, tech, and even education sectors are in search of solutions that can bridge the talent shortage.

Fortunately, employers can leverage accessible solutions, such as EdTech. These technologies can mitigate the talent shortage through the following means:

Increases the accessibility of education

Various industries can access bigger talent pools, especially if educational programs are more inclusive.

Fortunately, EdTech programs are making learning more accessible. The founder of Arizona Autism Charter Schools stated that students on the spectrum can learn in-demand tech skills through EdTech tools, like STEM Lego kits. She also points out that small group or one-on-one tele-lessons on tablets are effective in building crucial communication skills for students with autism. By increasing the accessibility of EdTech solutions, more people with disabilities can acquire specialized skills and help minimize the talent shortage in various industries.

Enhances the efficiency of teachers

EdTech is transformative for both students and teachers. In fact, EdTech can even help mitigate the talent shortage in the educational sector.

To illustrate, ViewSonic shows how teachers can create a more active and effective learning environment by utilizing AI EdTech solutions. These technologies assess what is going on in the classroom before providing teachers with feedback regarding their teaching performance, their student’s learning outcomes, and class engagement. The EdTech solution’s feedback helps reduce teachers’ workload because they can better understand the strategies that work best for their class.

Speeds up the acquisition of job-oriented skills

The constant learning of employees is critical in mitigating talent shortages.

This is why the president of LHH explains that the convergence of learning and work is crucial for meeting an employer’s demand for skilled individuals while at the same time supporting their employees’ future career goals. Thus, companies like the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) make learning more purposeful and flexible by providing specific job-oriented training programs through EdTech. These educational programs focus on meeting the real-world demands of a particular job, which is why they can produce highly-skilled talents in a shorter period of time.

Provides growth opportunities for talents

EdTech does not only help in increasing the talent pool, but it can also assist in retaining a company’s workforce.

Walmart’s SVP of Global Talent shares that learning and growth opportunities are good strategies for attracting and retaining talent. The company even launched the Live Better U educational program, which provides online offerings for employees who want to complete high school, attain a higher education, or obtain skilled trade certifications. Through these EdTech programs, the company is able to encourage employees to stay while also upskilling their workforce for the future.

Companies need to invest in EdTech to put a stop to the shortage of talent. These solutions can help in skills acquisition, workforce retention, and workload management, making them valuable tools for creating a skilled workforce.