Vision
To elevate the New England states as leaders in expanding high-quality paid work-based learning opportunities—to maximize the value of postsecondary learning, accelerate career and economic mobility, and retain talent to address employers’ high-demand needs.
About the Learn and Earn Challenge
What is the Learn and Earn Challenge?
With support from the Strada Education Foundation, The Learn and Earn Challenge (The “Challenge”) is a collaborative, multi-phase initiative of the New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE) and its partner the Burning Glass Institute (BGI). It combines innovative research and programmatic activities to accelerate creation of a robust, sustainable learn and earn ecosystem in New England. The goal of this multi-phase, three-year project is to create upwards of 10,000 new paid learn-and-earn experiences for New England postsecondary education students.
Why now?
New England employers face persistent talent shortages and skills gaps—and the rate of skill change is increasing. Internship partnerships are important avenues to help prospective employees acquire skills and to help postsecondary institutions understand employers’ changing skill needs.
While New England is known for the talent it attracts to its postsecondary institutions, it is critical to retain that talent. Moreover, the region lags other states in pursuing innovative policies to improve college-to-career pathways and graduate employability.
Survey data reveals changed perceptions of the value of college degrees, with students and parents increasingly questioning if postsecondary education will help them achieve their economic goals. This requires leaders in education, government, and business to think and act differently to address such concerns and to attract and support learners of all backgrounds.
Lastly, improving and investing in strategies to innovate college-to-career pathways will take time, resources, and sustained collaboration among critical stakeholder groups.
Objectives
- Create 10,000 new, high-quality paid internships over the next 3 years in New England
- Articulate the value and benefits of paid work-based learning to postsecondary students, employers, and our economies
- Identify and engage critical leaders and stakeholders whose support and engagement are critical
- Expand knowledge, awareness, and commitment among leaders and key stakeholders
- Challenge states, postsecondary institutions, and employers to collaborate in setting ambitious goals for expansion
- Support each New England state in prioritizing and implementing a formal multi-part policy and program strategy to increase learn-and-earn opportunities
- Expand employer commitment, engagement, and partnerships with postsecondary institutions
- Expand postsecondary institutions’ capacity for student career-related support, work-based learning programs, and employer partnerships
- Identify specific opportunities for collaboration and resource-sharing to build capacity and accelerate outcomes across the region
How you can be involved
NEBHE and its partners will benefit from the involvement of leaders like you in advising the development of the Challenge’s phases and activities. If you and your organization have an interest, please contact presidentsoffice@nebhe.org
Coming soon!