How can America achieve a high-skilled workforce in the twenty-first century?

How can America achieve a high-skilled workforce in the twenty-first century?

Keywords: Learning, Information technology, Skills, USA

Due to recent technological advances, a learning revolution will take place in the years ahead, according to ASTD/NGA's new report A Vision of E-learning for America's Workforce. The report is the result of a year-long commission convened by ASTD (The American Society for Training & Development) and NGA(National Governors Association) to examine the impacts of technology on workplace learning, and provides actionable recommendations to CEOs and governors.

Susan Burnett, Director of Enterprise Workforce Development, at Hewlett-Packard, and Chair of ASTD's Board of Directors, said: "At Hewlett-Packard, we are doing more e-learning than ever, and we are committed to implementing many of the recommendations in the ASTD/NGA report." Burnett was a member of the commission.

Stephen E. Merrill, former Governor of New Hampshire and commission co-chair,said: "Because e-learning offers increased opportunities for attaining and developing the skills necessary for good jobs, productivity and economic growth,building a successful e-learning future should be a priority for both the public and private sectors. Governors and CEOs have a unique opportunity to provide leadership on this issue in the months and years ahead."

ASTD/NGA's report focuses on e-learning for adults in the workplace and includes three priority categories for action:

• 1.

  quality;

• 2.

  assessment and certification;

• 3.

  access.

Broad recommendations are as follows:

• Create the highest quality e-learning experiences possible.

• Implement new measures and methods for assessing and certifying what individuals know and are able to do.

• Ensure broad and equitable access to e-learning opportunities.

William Wiggenhorn, former president of Motorola University, also served as co-chair of the ASTD/NGA commission. The report is available at www.astd.org/publicpolicy and www.nga.org