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At the recent Accelerate 2024 conference, Propero Learning Systems highlighted a pressing issue: the widening gap between post-secondary institutions and industry. A staggering 68% of industry associations report no meaningful collaboration with educational institutions, and even fewer see successful outcomes when they try. This isn’t just an academic problem – it’s a strategic challenge. But instead of lamenting, we need to innovate. Here are four actionable steps to rethink how education and industry work together to build a stronger, future-ready workforce.

1. Accelerate Curriculum Development
The traditional curriculum model is too slow for today’s rapidly evolving industries. By the time new courses roll out, much of the technical knowledge is already outdated.
Solution: Adopt real-time collaboration models where industry partners co-create courses, ensuring they stay current with technological and workforce trends. Think agile processes for education—because speed matters.

2. Build Bridges, Not Bureaucracies
Bureaucratic red tape is a creativity killer. Curriculum approval processes often stifle industry involvement, leaving educational institutions struggling to adapt to real-world needs.
Solution: Break down barriers by creating flexible pathways for industry input. Streamline governance structures to allow faster, more meaningful collaboration. Make education a partner, not a silo.

3. Make Continuing Education Affordable
Collaboration often falls apart due to cost. Economic models for partnerships between education and industry can be prohibitively expensive, leaving both sides frustrated.
Solution: Develop economically viable continuing education models that benefit both institutions and employers. Affordable, accessible programs will not only upskill the workforce but also create a steady talent pipeline.

4. Adopt a Mindset of Continuous Adaptation
Static systems won’t survive in a dynamic economy. Education must evolve from slow-moving, insular processes to agile, responsive ecosystems.
Solution: Foster a culture of continuous improvement within academic institutions. Embrace innovation, invest in new frameworks, and empower leaders to deconstruct outdated paradigms. Flexibility is the key to staying ahead.

The Time to Act Is Now
This isn’t just about solving today’s problems—it’s about creating a future where education and industry are equal partners in success. Together, we can close the skills gap, accelerate workforce readiness, and drive sustained economic growth. Join us. Let’s reimagine the way we prepare for the future – one innovative step at a time.

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