Learn What Earns: The IT Upskilling Podcast

  Since 2015, at least 15 major companies — including Apple, Google, and IBM — have publicly stated that they no longer require employees to hold a college degree. That's a major shift in workforce development. And it goes beyond big-name companies. Even the federal government now prioritizes jobs skills over degrees. Does this change signal a long-overdue redirection? Susan Kelly, SVP of marketing at New Horizons Computer Learning Centers Worldwide, joined this episode of the podcast. We discussed certifications versus college degrees for workforce preparation.

Communication is the key to success in the workplace, but during the pandemic, workers are staying away from each other, many working remotely for the first time. Staying cohesive and productive can prove a real challenge during these times. For remote teams, Microsoft Teams offers a one stop shop that keeps everybody in the know. Bobbye Garrity, a global award-winning instructor with New Horizons Computer Learning Centers, joined this episode of the podcast. We discussed how Microsoft Teams can help corporate teams work together during the pandemic.  

Since its inception, workforce development has prepared people for jobs. It's goal is to see people of all ages prosper. Recently, the way funding gets distributed has changed, but many people still qualify for benefits. In fact, young adults between the ages of 16 and 24 almost certainly can access workforce development training. Steve Betzold, senior director of franchise operations, consumer programs and partnerships at New Horizons Computer Learning Centers, joined this episode of the podcast. We discussed all things workforce development.

The internet changed everything, even education. And 12-15 years ago, top colleges introduced MOOCs (Massive Online Open Courses) to make a world-class education available to anyone with an internet connection. Expectations flew high that this could profoundly flatten and democratize education. It turned out to be a colossal dud. Most people who signed up for a MOOC never finished, and the few who did mostly held graduate degrees already. What happened to MOOCS? Derek Newton, former VP at the Century Foundation and a contributing writer at Forbes, joined this episode of the podcast. We discussed the history of MOOCs, their original buzz and promise, and why they ultimately failed to deliver.

In this intro episode, you'll hear from Mikell Parsh, CEO of New Horizons, on what you can expect from this podcast.