By Barbara Blake
Talent pipelines. Human capital flight. The war for talent. Skills migration. All these phrases characterize our post-COVID labor market. The COVID-19 pandemic created critical vacancies and a shortage of employees in various sectors of the labor market. With record low unemployment in Hampton Roads and throughout Virginia, the competition for highly skilled talent persists in 2024. Having a talent pipeline that includes young, innovative minds ensures that our local economy remains dynamic and competitive as the economic landscape evolves. What can the Hampton Roads community do to foster a rich talent pool? Invest in work-based education and professional development for our K-12 and post-secondary students.
Preparing students early for work-based learning is crucial. Without early exposure to career pathways and local industries, our young learners may be deprived of the ability to explore their interests right here at home. Understanding market expectations is critical to success for these learners. Is a certificate, license, undergraduate and/or graduate degree needed for the field of their choice? Could clarifying those expectations and providing a pipeline to higher education be key in preventing local students from graduating from high school and becoming NEET (Neither in Education, Employment, nor Training)?
©Photo Courtesy of Barbara Blake
I received an appointment from Norfolk Public Schools (NPS) to serve on their Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee (CTEAC). In 2023 NPS created Norfolk’s first Aviation and Aerospace dual enrollment high school program with the Aviation Institute of Maintenance. Our region boasts programs including The Academies of Hampton, and as noted by the Virginia Department of Education Career and Technical Education Advisory Council, these programs need the support of local employers to help bridge the knowledge gap and keep up with the latest industry trends.
Community stakeholders often have practical, hands-on experiences that can greatly contribute to career and technical curriculum development. We all have a vested interest in work-based learning and early career and technical education works best when it is a collaborative effort between schools, businesses and the community at large.
In higher education, work-based learning is also more important than ever. Many traditional 18 to 24-year-old students saw their K-12 lives and activities deeply impacted by the COVID pandemic and they arrived at college never having held outside employment. Businesses temporarily halted or reduced their internship programs to comply with social distancing measures and face-to-face interactions and teamwork, essential components of work-based learning for developing interpersonal skills, were impacted as independent remote learning became commonplace. Getting these young adults back on track with enriching experiential learning is imperative.
In 2022, after a series of focus groups, it was clear to Old Dominion University that a new approach to work-based learning was needed. This shift aimed to better prepare students, support faculty, and serve the Hampton Roads community. Out of this strategic planning process led by Old Dominion University President Brian Hemphill, the Monarch Internship and Co-Op Office emerged, officially opening its doors on July 1, 2023.
This office seeks to shape the future of every single ODU student by functioning as the centralized hub for all work-based learning initiatives and providing the infrastructure to integrate work- based learning into the student educational journey. Internships and other work-based learning opportunities—co-ops, practicums, clinicals, labs, research assistantships and externships, to name a few, allow students to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world situations.
The 2023 Student Voice published by Inside Higher Ed using participant data from the College Pulse American College Student Panel found students’ top five most important academic outcomes included “developing skills relevant to any career or job and leaving college with a clear idea about what career they want to pursue.” A 2022 Cengage Group employability survey found that nearly half (49%) of recent university graduates did not apply to entry-level jobs because they felt underqualified. The survey also reported that nearly two in five graduates (39%) felt they had some but not all the experience required for the entry level job.
The Monarch Internship and Co-Op Office also aids faculty members in integrating practical experiences into their curriculum. This connection between classroom learning and real-world applications is facilitated through effective communication between faculty and employers, providing valuable feedback on student performance and areas for improvement which informs future curriculum enhancements.
Working with partners such as the 757 Regional Internship Collaborative, the Monarch Internship and Co-Op Office connects employers with a diverse pool of qualified and motivated students from across ODU. The office maintains lines of communication throughout the internship, facilitating regular check-ins between employers, interns and university faculty. Students receive counseling and resources to overcome barriers such as transportation costs, housing for summer internships and professional clothing to help facilitate a successful internship experience.
Talent pool discussions often include considerations of social and economic equity. Ensuring that talent pipelines are inclusive and provide diverse opportunities for all individuals is important. Historically, women and minorities have faced economic disparities, including wage gaps. In 2018, NACE’s national Student Survey reported that women were more likely to be in an unpaid internship. Promoting paid internships for all students helps narrow these gaps and foster economic inclusivity. By promoting high-paying pathways for women and minorities, organizations tap into a broader talent pool.
This helps attract and retain skilled individuals who might have been underrepresented in certain sectors. Access to diverse talent enhances the overall competitiveness of our local industries.
Perhaps Maya Angelou’s famous quote, “nothing will work unless you do,” says it all. Internships and work-based learning are valuable opportunities for experience and growth for our youngest citizens. The quote also reminds us that students need to be actively engaged in the learning process.
Internships allow students to develop and enhance a wide range of competencies, including technical skills related to a specific discipline or industry, as well as other valuable skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and time management. If we want to transform tomorrow’s labor market, let’s start with a renewed vision to improve work-based learning and develop opportunities for our students today.
Barbara Blake is the executive director of The Monarch Internship and Co-Op Office at Old Dominion University.
