With that data, employers can hire better, educators can know what to teach, and individuals can better understand their own paths to new careers. We’re piloting projects in Denver, CO, and Phoenix, AZ, to make this information easy to act upon. Fifty-four percent of Americans with a high school degree but no college degree say they don’t know what jobs are currently available or what additional training they would need to qualify for those jobs. It’s important for us, in partnership with employers, educators, states, cities, and philanthropic organizations, to work to close this information gap.
Also to that end, we have built data partnerships with dozens of cities around the world to help build economies and close skills gaps. For example, in Los Angeles, Mayor Eric Garcetti is using LinkedIn data to better understand the city’s regional technology workforce and to identify opportunities to improve the pipeline of talent and grow the area’s tech economy. The LA Tech Talent Pipeline leveraged LinkedIn data to map the city’s tech talent, and shared the results with education and workforce stakeholders in the city. The goal of the Tech Talent Pipeline is to enable partners (from Workforce Development Boards to local community colleges) to create and expand technology curriculum and training, to increase access and equity—and to ensure that all Angelenos can benefit from technology-driven economic changes. This model, which first began in New York City, has expanded across the country in part through the Obama administration’s TechHire program, and has continued at the local level in places where this talent is needed most.
And of course, at LinkedIn we know the value of a network. Through our mentoring initiatives, we’re connecting local experts who can serve as mentors with LinkedIn members seeking career advice, to provide Americans with real-time, on-the-ground intelligence about what skills are needed to thrive in an industry—and some of the connections to make it a reality.
The uncertainties of the future of work are a major national challenge, but there are many people and organizations ready to navigate the waters. We applaud Vice President Biden for taking on this critical issue, as well as for his ongoing commitment to ensuring that all Americans get their shot at the American Dream. We have faith that by working together— as individuals, governments, businesses, educators and nonprofits—we can keep the dream strong for all of us.
Allen Blue is the Co-founder of Linkedin.
Follow Allen on Twitter @AllenB