Many large organizations have this same challenge. And yet, there is a degree gap - “a discrepancy between the demand for a college degree in job postings and the employees who are currently in that job who have a college degree.” In an analysis of more than 26 million job postings, the degree gap was found to be significant, according to a study by Accenture, Harvard Business School, and Grads of Life. The study attributes degree inflation to two key factors: the fast-changing nature of many middle-skills jobs and employers’ misperceptions of the economics of investing in quality talent at the non-graduate level.

When we think about local sourcing, we tend to think about farm-to-table cuisine at a restaurant or local supply chains feeding a manufacturing company. Indeed, sourcing inputs and ingredients from your own backyard provides benefits to companies across many industries. But what about the talent supply chain? That’s where Novelis has mastered the art of local sourcing.

Congress last week passed and the president today signed legislation reauthorizing the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act, which provides important funding for programs focused on the academic, career, and technical skills development for high school and higher education students. Highlights of the reauthorization include new opportunities for partnerships between employers and educators to improve student preparation for in-demand jobs, measures that improve alignment with other workforce development programs, and increased program accountability.