High Demand, Low Wage
A new federal “do no harm” wage rule draws broad support but doesn’t solve the problem of preparing workers for societally valuable jobs with poverty-level pay.
The Cusp Podcast
Explore AI’s impact on how we learn and work with experts and innovators
Opinion
Dive into the debate about how education and work can change to improve lives
The Job
Get journalist Paul Fain’s take on news and trends in education and work
The Latest
Make sense of the big stories with Work Shift’s journalists and experts
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3 Reasons Why It’s Time to Stop Saying “Soft Skills”
The capabilities that make us human—communication, teamwork, and critical thinking—aren’t “soft.” Here’s why we need to change the way we talk about those skills.
Childcare Providers Know How to Fix the System. We Should Let Them.
Everyone agrees the system isn’t working for childcare workers, parents, or businesses. To fix it, we’ve got to listen to the people who know the challenges best.
Covering the Hidden Costs of ‘Free’ Nurse Training
In Massachusetts community college is free, but many entry-level healthcare workers can’t afford the time and lost income to train to be a nurse. A new program is testing whether covering those costs will change the…
Talent Marketplaces
The Trump administration wants to make all learning count as states seek to strengthen ties between education and work. Also, the feds steer $145M to pay-for-performance apprenticeship models across key industries.
Winners and Losers
States are on the clock to prepare for short-term Pell Grants as big questions loom about data systems, noncredit programs, and clock hours. Also, essays on Workforce Pell and untapped state data.
The Job
A weekly newsletter about connections between education and the American workforce. Get veteran journalist Paul Fain’s take on what to watch as education and training systems work to better serve lower-income learners and workers.
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American Exceptionalism and Nondegree Credentials
The U.S. and European countries are similarly concerned about ensuring the value of nondegree credentials, but the U.S. is taking a decidedly different, voluntary approach.
Humanizing AI’s Productivity Boosts
The country needs a new social compact that emphasizes how workers can win.
Workforce Pell’s Stress Test: Can Faster Credentials Also Be Accountable?
Policymakers and program providers must balance protecting students and taxpayers with preserving the promised innovation.