Title:Redesign andRepositioning Universities for the Role of Advanced Skilled WorkforceDevelopment
Lecturer：Paul M.A.Baker
Time：10.17 15：00~17：00
Location:A1148 Host:Prof. Xiangdong Chen
About the Lecturer:
Paul M.A. Baker, Ph.D.,is Senior Director of Research and Strategic Innovation and principal research scientist at Georgia Tech's Center for Advanced Communications Policy; he's also an adjunct professor in the Centre for Disability Law and Policy at the National University of Ireland, Galway.His research focuses on include higher education and disability policy,workforce development, connected and online communities,and collaborative workspaces, accessible/usable information technology,and networks of innovation. Baker has a Ph.D. in Public Policy from George Mason University, an M.P. in Urban Planning from the University of Virginia, and an M.A. in International Commerce and Policy from George Mason University, and an MTS (Theological Studies) from Emory University. He has B.S.in Zoology from the University of Wisconsin.
Website:http://paulmbaker.gatech.edu/profile/
Contact him atpaul.baker@gatech.edu
Abstract:
Increasingly,occupations generally considered "blue collar” (technical or vocational)require mastery of advanced skills beyond what is available in standard secondary education. These skills traditionally been acquired in a more technical vocational training settings. However, in many industrialized countries, workforces are clustering along an educational gradient into unskilled,basic labor, at one end, and highly educated, specialized, research and design-focused knowledge workers at the other. This neglects the important middle range of specialized, but technically advanced skills needed in modern production environments. Universities have not generally been interested in this sort of specialized applied training. But employers and other actors have begun to pressure traditional higher education (colleges and universities) to rethink and change education to produce a better fit between the traditional academic degree and a more practical skill set employers need.
One approach is for universities to apply their experience in applied,industrial research to develop new teaching and training approaches to produce skilled workers. From a policy standpoint, there is an opportunity to design innovative policy in a way which help support the development of skilled workforces which are adaptable to the changing needs of industry and research as well as are capable of upgrading their skills as needed by the changing economy. Absent this reform, other alternatives (private sector, technical institutions, industry training) will reduce the influence universities have in globally competitive societies.
