College vs. Trade School vs. AI

Inside: Reshaping Work Townhall

From AI, to skills-based jobs to a growing immigrant population, we're looking at what’s redefining central Ohio’s workforce and economy. We’ll share powerful stories, elevate the voices most affected and examine what’s working and what’s not. The discussion happened as part of WOSU's Inside: Reshaping Work Townhall. Host: * Amy Juravich, host of All Sides with Amy Juravich, WOSU Public Media [https://www.wosu.org/people/amy-juravich] Panel: * Lisa Patt-McDaniel, CEO, Aspyr [https://aspyrworkforce.org/] * Chris Berry, CEO, Ohio X [https://www.ohiox.org/] * Nadia Kasvin, director, US Together [https://www.ustogether.us/]

College vs. Trade School vs. AI

Deciding what to do after high school used to feel like a one-way street leading straight to a four-year university. Today, however, the rising cost of tuition and a shifting labor market have reopened the debate between the traditional college path and specialized trade schools. And now, the rise of artificial intelligence has added a complex layer to this age-old debate While a four-year degree focuses on critical thinking, and trade schools emphasize essential manual expertise, the rapid advancement of AI now threatens to automate roles in both sectors. Guests: * Jeff Strohl, research professor and director, Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce [https://cew.georgetown.edu/about-us/staff/jeff-strohl/] * Stephanie Hightower, president & CEO, Columbus Urban League [https://www.cul.org/mission-vision-presidents-message/] * Kevin Fox, founder, Foxwerx Group [https://foxwerx.io/]

Immigration Workforce

A new report from the American Immigration Council shows that immigrants play a crucial role in Ohio’s economy. In 2023, immigrants earned $27.3 billion in income and paid $7.3 billion in local, state and federal taxes. Immigrants help fill Ohio’s workplace shortages. Hear from the City of Columbus about how they are connecting immigrants to in-demand jobs in central Ohio. And learn about the key role H-2A Visa workers play in Ohio’s food system. Guests: * Micaela McConnell, policy manager on the State and Local Initiatives team, American Immigration Council [https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/authors/micaela-mcconnell/] * Kym Douglas, director of the City of Columbus' Department of Neighborhoods [https://www.columbus.gov/Community/Department-of-Neighborhoods/About-the-Dept.-of-Neighborhoods] * Anisa Kline, human geographer and researcher with expertise in immigration, guest worker programs and farmworker health [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3Unwxm-WaI]

BONUS: Computer Science degrees on the decline

For years, computer science was the hottest college major, outpacing all others. It was considered "the golden ticket" to a lucrative job. Then why has enrollment dropped significantly? Computers aren’t going away. Guest: Shira Ovide, technology reporter, The Washington Post [https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/shira-ovide/]

Planning for in-demand jobs

A strategic plan that looks at the “workers of tomorrow” will probably ensure the right people are in the right positions at the right time. But how do you plan for tomorrow when technology is changing so rapidly? From AI to automation... There are lots of concerns about what the future of work will look like and how we prepare for it. To discuss ways the state of Ohio is looking ahead and planning for the workers of tomorrow, we have Matt Damschroder, Director of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.