“Future Finder Challenge” Hopes to Reimagine Career Navigation For Adult Learners
With the acknowledgement that up to 43 million Americans could greatly benefit from further adult education, the US Dept. of Education has launched stage one of its “Future Finder Challenge.”
The Challenge, which will offer $1 million in rewards to those who submit prototypes for digital adult learning and career navigation tools, was officially launched on September 23.[1]
As noted in a Department of Education press release, the technology needed to help advance adult learners and prepare them for the new economy are “vital to career success.” The release also notes, however, that most of the current tools available to students are not aimed at assisting adult learners, but rather those just leaving high school. And, with the current recession looming many large employers are already announcing layoffs with the slowing of both the US economy as well as the worldwide economy.
As a result, the Department of Education believes too many American adults lack the support needed to enter in-demand occupations in high-growth industries; like solar and wind turbine installation, home health aides, computer coding and other trades and skills-based careers.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the US economy will need 4 million of these tradespeople and skilled laborers to replace those who left the workforce during the pandemic.[2]
Of course, a massive number of adults are very serious about furthering their education in hopes of entering these fields, and many schools and academies already have the technology and capacity to educate them.
The issue in filling the four million jobs, from the educators’ point of view, is increasing enrollment so adult learners can become qualified in these fields. This is where Conversion Media Group fits into the equation. CMG partners directly with career educators and high-intent adults to assist both parties in reaching their goals.
CMG specializes in connecting phone verified leads and live transfers of adults who have shown a keen interest in furthering their education, directly with career colleges, trade schools, skills academies and bootcamps.
More on CMG in a moment. First…
U.S. Secretary of Education, Miguel Cardona said of the Future Finder Challenge launch, “To build a more equitable and inclusive economy we must raise the bar for adult education in the United States and give learners of all ages the tools and opportunities they need to level up their skills and climb the economic ladder… (to) take advantage of career opportunities in today’s most in-demand fields.”
Participants in the Future Finder Challenge must submit their solutions by December 15, 2022. The USDOE is encouraging interested parties to register at FutureFinderChallenge.com.
The finalists in stage one, up to five of them, will receive at least $50,000 each. Stage two, which will launch after the finalists are chosen, will reward $500,000 to the grand prize winner, and up to two runners up will receive at least $250,000 each.
While technological innovation within the adult education industry will be handsomely rewarded by the USDOE, the key component of actually educating the adult workforce still lay in increasing enrollments at career education facilities.
Conversion Media Group believes the most reliable way to accomplish this, is by connecting high-intent adults who want to further their career education, directly with career educators who are looking to boost enrollment.
Right now, CMG is already in continual contact with many of the millions of US adults who need to attend career schools…
And they want to hear about you.
If you’re interested in learning more about how Conversion Media Group can drive qualified education leads, applications, and enrollments to your institution, call one of our education specialists today at: (+1) 800 419 3201.
Or you can contact us HERE, and a specialist will get back with you as soon as possible.
Here’s to your enrollment success, and thanks for being part of the solution!
[1] https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/us-department-education-launches-1-million-future-finder-challenge-reimagine-career-navigation-adult-learners