CHICAGO, Sept. 22, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dozens of top leaders from some of the country's best known companies are making plans to travel to Chicago to attend a meeting for the next Credential Completion effort undertaken by the employer-led Business Champions Supporting Adult Credential Completion initiative, Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) CEO and President Pamela Tate said today. To be held October 4, the meeting will focus on the most effective ways to ensure that more working adults obtain industry-recognized credentials or college degrees to fulfill job demands and to encourage the widespread adoption of business practices that support these efforts.
In discussing the meeting to be hosted by CAEL, Tate said, "Top leaders from companies including Hilton, Goodwill® and UPS will be working together to increase postsecondary credential achievement for the nation's workforce. At CAEL, we're constantly reminded that in the next decade, more than half of all American jobs will require employees with postsecondary credentials, and we are delighted that so many companies are embracing this initiative."
The initiative, Business Champions for Credential Completion, administered by the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning, includes top companies across the United States representing a wide variety of sectors from agriculture to health care to retail. Through the initiative members are sharing programs and best practices that encourage credential completion and demonstrating how this commitment helps their businesses grow and prosper.
Increasing postsecondary credential achievement will be critical to keeping the country competitive. In a study by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, the nation is currently on track, by 2020, to have a shortage of 5 million workers with postsecondary credentials. In addition, according to the 2014 Talent Shortage Survey by the consulting firm ManpowerGroup, 40 percent of U.S. employers are reporting difficulties filling positions, with skilled trade positions being the hardest jobs to fill.
"We have a skills supply and demand problem that is hurting businesses and our economic growth, and we must build and nurture a next-generation workforce and push for more adults to attain industry-recognized credentials and college degrees needed for tomorrow's jobs. We are excited to be hosting so many who understand the challenge, and look forward to helping solve this problem," concluded Tate.
The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) is a nonprofit 501(c) (3) organization based in Chicago, Illinois that assists adults with their educational endeavors. CAEL works with the public sector, private sector industries and higher education institutions to ensure that adult students and workers receive the most efficient training and education to occupy a meaningful professional place in a 21st century economy.