Workforce Development for Critical and Emerging Technologies in the Quad

In July, Meridian welcomed a group of experts in workforce development and critical emerging technologies from the Quad (Australia, India, and Japan). The program, “Workforce Development for Critical and Emerging Technologies in the Quad” explored strategies for developing a modernized, technically capable workforce in critical and emerging technologies (CET), especially in areas that are important to national security and technological competitiveness. The project investigated how government, industry, labor, and educational and training institutions address fundamental needs for a skilled CET workforce. It considered approaches that promote social inclusion and a diverse CET workforce from high-level university education to non-degree certificates and apprenticeships.

In Washington D.C., visitors met with the National Science Foundation, Departments of Education and Labor, and the Smithsonian Science Education Center where they focused on STEM education policy and development at the federal level, and learned how it impacts workforce development in the U.S. from K-12 education to the university level. Visitors also went to Indianapolis, IN, Pittsburgh, PA, and Phoenix, AZ, where they focused on state and local levels of CET- related education programs and workforce development. In each city stop, visitors attended meetings with universities and community colleges (Perdue, Carnegie Mellon, Community College of Allegheny County, Maricopa Community College, and Arizona State) where they learned about the CET- related programs that are offered to students. The common themes among education related meetings were approaches to empowering students in underserved communities, removing barriers to participation in CET careers, and creating networks to support workforce development.

The highlight of this program was the group’s visit to Pittsburgh, where they met with Women in Tech PGH President and CEO, Alison Falk to discuss challenges and strategies in workforce development for CET at the global level. In addition, they met with John Tkatch, executive director of Keystone Development Partnership, where they discussed aspects of the complex relationship between unions and employers, as well as the structure and results of the apprenticeship programs.