Wisconsin Watch, Open Campus event focuses on workforce development

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We’ve partnered with Open Campus, a nationwide nonprofit newsroom focused on higher education, to organize an event on how credentials impact Wisconsin’s workforce.

And we’d love for you to join us on Oct. 6.

I enjoy editing the “pathways to success” beat because it’s where K-12, higher ed and workforce training stories intersect. I spent years covering K-12 and higher ed, and the stories I most loved reporting focused on how students took the skills they learned in the classroom into their careers.

Credentials have expanded in recent years, and it feels like the stakes are higher than they’ve ever been for students, educators and employers.

So we want to know:

What credentials are employers actually hiring against?
Which community colleges are leading the shift — and which are stalling?
Where are students getting left behind by a system still designed around the four-year degree?

The event will feature a panel discussion moderated by Wisconsin Watch and Open Campus reporter Natalie Yahr. The panelists include:

Becky Kikkert, director of development, Workforce Development Board of South Central Wisconsin
Layla Merrifield, president, Wisconsin Technical College System
Nathan Roberts, owner, G.D. Roberts

Then, we’ll hear how Wisconsin fits into the national landscape during a conversation between Wisconsin Watch and Open Campus reporter Miranda Dunlap and Kermit Kaleba, strategy director for credentials of value for the Lumina Foundation.

The event is free to attend. Here are the details:

When is it? 8-10:45 a.m. Oct. 6
Where is it? TruStage, 5910 Mineral Point Road, Madison
Will there be food? Yes, we’ll serve a complimentary continental breakfast.
What else is there to know? Registration is required. Attendees will be required to show a photo ID when they arrive at TruStage. Register here.

We hope to see you there!