Adapting to the New Normal: Equipping Career and Technical Education Graduates with Essential Digital Skills for Remote Employment

Maxwell Emmanuel Uduafemhe, Daniel R. E. Ewim, Roseline Yusuf Karfe

Abstract


Amidst the profound shifts triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, the employment landscape has undergone a radical transformation, prominently featuring remote work as a defining element of the contemporary paradigm. This document delves into the essential role played by Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs in preparing individuals for success in this digitally-driven era of remote work. Emphasizing the critical significance of digital skills in the modern workforce, the paper underscores their applicability across diverse CTE disciplines, including Electrical and Electronics, Building Technology, Woodwork Technology, Metalwork Technology, and Automechanics Technology. These competencies, spanning coding and CAD proficiency to CNC machining and automotive diagnostics, serve as the cornerstone enabling graduates to excel in remote work environments. Confronting challenges encountered by CTE institutions, the document presents practical solutions such as curriculum adaptation, faculty development, fostering industry partnerships, and the seamless integration of online resources. These strategies empower institutions to evolve and equip graduates with the digital expertise essential for thriving in a constantly evolving job market. In conclusion, the paper highlights the pivotal role of CTE institutions as advocates for digital skill acquisition, molding graduates not only as adept navigators of the new normal but as leaders driving innovation and progress in their respective fields.


Full Text:

PDF

References


Anderson, L. (2018). Challenges and opportunities in Career and Technical Education: A comprehensive analysis. Journal of Vocational Education, 23(2), 25-42.

Barabasch, A., & Cattaneo, A. (2019). Digital education in career and technical education and the support of creative professional development. The Wiley Handbook of Global Workplace Learning, 241-261.

Buffer. (2020). Remote Workforce Report. https://buffer.com/resources/state-of-remote-work-2020

Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2021). Labor force statistics from the current population survey. U.S. Department of Labor. https://www.bls.gov/cps/

Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) (2020). The role of virtual construction in modern project management. Construction Management Association of America.

CompTIA. (2021). Workforce and learning trends 2021: Accelerating through the curve. Retrieved from https://www.comptia.org/content/research/workforce-learning-trends- 2021/

Cybersecurity Ventures. (2021). 2021 Official Annual Cybercrime Report. https://cybersecurityventures.com/cybersecurity-market-report/

Davis, J. (2019). Overcoming resistance to change in CTE institutions. Journal of Educational Leadership, 34(1), 10-25.

Deloitte Insights. (2021). The impact of 3D printing on the metalworking industry. Deloitte Insights. https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/industry/manufacturing/3d-printing-metal-additive-manufacturing.html

Electric Drive Transportation Association. (2020). Electric vehicles and the future of automechanics. Electric Drive Transportation Association.

Gartner Incorporated. (2020). Predicts 2021: Workforce and talent management strategy. https://www.gartner.com/en/information-technology/research/top-insights/predicts-2021-workforce-and-talent-management-strategy

International Data Corporation (2021). Worldwide Internet of Things (IoT) 2021–2025 Forecast. International Data Corporation. https://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=US46661521

Johnson, M. (2020). The role of coding skills in the electronics industry. Electronics Today, 45(3), 43-58.

Kahn, M. E. (2022). Going remote: How the flexible work economy can improve our lives and our cities. University of California Press.

Law, N., Woo, D., de la Torre, J., & Wong, G. (2018). A Global Framework of Reference on Digital Literacy Skills for Indicator 4.4.2. Report number: UIS/2018/ICT/IP/51. Affiliation: UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS).

LinkedIn. (2021). LinkedIn's 2021 Workplace Learning Report. https://learning.linkedin.com/content/dam/me/learning/en-us/pdfs/linkedin-learning-workplace-learning-report-2021.pdf

Martinez, D. (2020). Faculty development and its impact on CTE program quality. Journal of Educational Excellence, 45(4), 9-24.

Mitchell, J. (2017). Automotive diagnostics in the digital age. Automotive Technology Journal, 19(2), 78-94.

Morris, J. C. (2023). Teacher Perceptions of the Use and Implementation of Online Learning in Secondary Career and Technical Education Programs (Doctoral dissertation, Rowan University).

National Association of Manufacturers (2021). Building the workforce of the future: 2021 skills gap survey. National Association of Manufacturers. https://www.nam.org/building-the-workforce-of-the-future-2021-skills-gap-survey-9610/

National Association of Colleges and Employers. (2021). Career readiness: Competencies for a career-ready workforce. Retrieved from https://careerservices.wayne.edu/pdf/nace-career-readiness-competencies-revised-apr-2021.pdf.

National Institute for Metalworking Skills (2020). CNC machining in the metalworking industry. National Institute for Metalworking Skills.

Roberts, S. (2020). Embedding digital skills within CTE curricula. Journal of Vocational Education Research, 31(4), 35-52.

Smith, S. (2019). The evolving role of BIM in the construction industry. Construction Management Quarterly, 42(1), 10-29.

Sutherland, L., & Janene-Nelson, K. (2020). Work together anywhere: A handbook on working remotely-successfully-for individuals, teams, and managers. John Wiley & Sons.

Turner, J. (2019). Curriculum adaptation strategies for CTE programs. Journal of Career Development, 28(3), 25-41.

Tzafilkou, K., Perifanou, M. & Economides, A. A. (2022). Development and validation of students’ digital competence scale (SDiCoS). International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education 19, 30 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-022-00330-0.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. (2021). Bridging the skills gap: A blueprint for empowering the workforce of the future. https://www.uschamberfoundation.org/reports/bridging-skills-gap-blueprint-empowering-workforce-future

Upwork. (2021, December 8). Upwork study finds 59 million Americans freelancing amid turbulent labor market. Press release. Retrieved from https://investors.upwork.com/news-releases/news-release-details/upwork-study-finds-59-million-americans-freelancing-amid.

Walker, M. (2019). Leveraging online platforms for digital skills training. Online Learning Journal, 24(2), 18-34.

Wellingtone. (2020). The state of project management annual report 2020. Retrieved from https://wellingtone.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/The-State-of-Project-Management-Report-2020-Wellingtone.pdf

Wood, R. (2018). CNC machining and automation in woodworking. Woodworking Technology Review, 33(4), 55-68.

Woodworking Network. (2021). Digital tools revolutionizing custom wood product design. https://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/news/woodworking-industry-news/digital-tools revolutionizing-custom-wood-product-design.


Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.