By: Rose Gaylen
MindSpark supports industry partners in achieving their education CSR goals. We are positioned to support school systems in upskilling educators to build relevant, authentic learning experiences that prepare students to enter key industries while working to close the widening workforce skills gap.
Partnerships with MindSpark Learning have outcomes such as creating a robust and equitable workforce pipeline, and developing individuals who have relevant skill sets to enter an ever-changing workforce and who have the ability to adapt and succeed.
Here’s how MindSpark partnerships are impactful:
They expand pathways beyond traditional college prep courses to promote career-connected concepts throughout the entire learning journey.
They increase workforce readiness skills (in some cases by a margin of 25%), including critical thinking, problem-solving, and adaptability, better-equipping educators and students to enter a modern workforce.
They emphasize collaboration and community engagement, facilitating partnerships and giving educators and by extension, students, real-world experiences and mentorship opportunities.
Partners get to be involved in work that has value, meaning, and true impact, as described by this educator from Woodford County School District:
“The most valuable part of this experience was making connections with colleagues at different levels to create authentic learning experiences for our students. Our students are our future, and our role is to support, prepare, and grow all of them for their future life and career.”
In today's rapidly evolving job market, the disconnect between classroom learning and real-world workforce needs has become increasingly apparent. Nowhere is this gap more evident than in Kentucky, where severe worker shortages and low workforce participation rates highlight the urgent need for innovative educational solutions. Enter the groundbreaking partnership between KPMG and MindSpark Learning - a collaborative effort designed to bridge this divide by upskilling educators, engaging students, and aligning education with industry demands.
The Education Workforce Gap
Education faces many challenges today, one of them being a disconnect between what students are learning and what skills they need beyond the classroom. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Kentucky is classified as “severe” on the Chamber’s Worker Shortage Index, with only 74 available workers for every 100 open jobs. Additionally, Kentucky ranks 48th out of the 50 states for both median household income and workforce participation.
KPMG and MindSpark worked together to tackle this problem. In our work, we served 6 school districts and 38 educators who impacted over 1000 students. After our work was finished, 94% agreed that the learning experience gave them the ability to establish new inclusive techniques to increase student access. 94% also agreed that they are more confident in their abilities because of their participation in the KPMG–MindSpark Learning-led professional development program. After our program, 100% of participants said that they now knew how to make learning innovative for their students and that they could confidently bridge between industry practices and their work in the classroom.
A partnership with MindSpark Learning means an improvement in career-connected pathways for students throughout an entire learning journey and an increase in workforce readiness skills through teacher upskilling. MindSpark Learning's approach has proven effective in addressing workforce readiness challenges across diverse communities from Los Angeles, CA to Huntsville, AL, Kentucky to Colorado, and even rural Montana. We adapt to local needs while maintaining a consistent focus on bridging the education workforce gap.
Lasting Impact: Benefits of Partnership
There’s no question of the impact you can have when you invest in education. With MindSpark that impact is measurable and sustainable.
Upskilled educators provide equitable learning opportunities that can narrow socioeconomic gaps. Healthy communities lead to a productive workforce, and a skilled workforce drives economic growth. Upskilled educators prepare students for tomorrow's jobs when those jobs and workforce needs are ever-changing.
Partner with us today and let’s make the changes we want to see in the world.
Explore how we can help you achieve your CSR goals. Contact dominique@mindspark.org and let’s have a conversation about sustainable education solutions!