Tackling Tech Disruption: A Blueprint for Solving the Working Class & Knowledge Economy Divide

Today’s workforce must be ready for an ever-shifting landscape where digital skills are necessary or face catastrophic consequences. Individuals with a high school degree or less are four times more likely to hold highly automatable roles than those with a bachelor’s degree (Lund et al., 2019). A global pandemic has further exacerbated this issue. This book analyzes three different policy alternatives to determine the best policy recommendation. It then introduces a new hybrid model as the best policy strategy. A case is made for the development of a new National Hybrid Workforce Advancement Model that blends 1) A career pathway program to provide a roadmap and support for future employment opportunities 2) Utilizes competency-based education to help expedite credentialing, and 3) Incorporates an employer-paid tuition option to promote employer engagement and mitigate financial hurdles. This new model would help at-risk workers acquire skills to remain viable in the workplace and not be displaced by technology. The book also includes a legislative path, policy implementation, and evaluation criterion.