Gale Tenen Spak

Continuing Education is the key to serve lifelong learners. Institutions need to adopt a more collaborative approach for all departments to meet the needs of a lifelong learner. Continuing Education has been serving learners in the workforce for decades, and its value is only increasing. As the modern learner becomes the lifelong learner, it’s critical for institutions to adapt to this model and stay aligned with market demands.

Higher education needs to focus on preparing the modern learner not just for graduation but for their lifelong learning journey. The modern learner isn’t just looking for the traditional degree anymore; they’re looking for stackable credentials they can earn on their own time to meet their current career goals. This means the institution needs to focus on making workforce and professional education more accessible to all learners.

There’s a great need for a seamless connection between higher ed and employers to be able to fill the talent pipeline to fill the skills gap. Meet Jane. She is a talent development professional at Local Corporation, a mid-size manufacturing company in a rural area. At Local Corporation, Jane is responsible for conducting training needs assessments and providing training solutions to a workforce of 300 employees.