Job shadowing week shows high schoolers opportunities beyond a 4-year degree

Dive Brief:

High schoolers will get a look inside a variety of companies across the country during a one-week job-shadowing program hosted by K12 and Tallo, the companies announced. Businesses will open their doors to show students what vacancies they’re hoping to fill and the skills needed to land those jobs.
Job shadow week, running from July 15 to July 19, is intended to give students a better understanding and spark interest in high-paying in-demand jobs and careers. The event connects students with organizations according to employer preference and includes one-on-one shadows, shadows in groups and virtual shadowing.
The collaboration also hopes to change misconceptions about careers, the companies noted in the announcement. Many industries, like healthcare, manufacturing and IT, are facing significant talent shortages. The event aims to highlight that many careers in these industries do not require a four-year degree.

Dive Insight:

Job shadowing programs aren't just for high-schoolers anymore; more employers are considering opening their doors to the public to gain awareness — and future applicants — as they seek creative ways to hire. For many industries, outreach is a key component to build awareness of the skills needed and the opportunities that companies can offer those with the right credentials. This "image gap" has continually stunted growth for employers in the skilled trades fields, especially.

By now, most employers have realized that to get the next generation of workers on board, they have to start reaching out ot them now. More initiatives, including one run by the Obama Foundation and the Urban Alliance, are aimed at high schoolers to prep them for careers of the future and include training in soft skills. For some businesses, these "middle skills" jobs provide a particular challenge, as they make up the largest percentage of all U.S. jobs. Focusing on attracting talent and then training workers in-house or through collaborative programing is just one of the ways recruiters are getting creative in hiring. Even internships are pushing the boundaries on wages to attract talent in today’s competitive market.