{"id":1307,"date":"2015-02-04T11:00:43","date_gmt":"2015-02-04T17:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/stgwww.capella.edu\/blogs\/cublog\/?p=1307"},"modified":"2015-04-15T11:11:25","modified_gmt":"2015-04-15T16:11:25","slug":"how-competency-based-education-closes-skills-gap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stgwww.capella.edu\/blogs\/cublog\/how-competency-based-education-closes-skills-gap\/","title":{"rendered":"How Competency-Based Education Closes the Skills Gap"},"content":{"rendered":"

By 2020, the U.S. will face a shortage of 5 million workers<\/a>. What does this mean for middle-skill occupations\u2014jobs that require education and training beyond a high school degree? More specifically, what does this shortage of workers mean for STEM careers?<\/p>\n

STEM careers are positions that require skills and knowledge in science, technology, engineering, or math. This growing career sector accounts for more than 10% of jobs in the U.S.<\/a>, with many at a compensation level nearly double the country\u2019s average. However, there is a persistent skills gap that is making it difficult to fill these STEM positions.<\/p>\n

U.S. News & World Report<\/a> says that the skills gap problem originates, in part, from the fact that \u201ceducation and workforce development institutions aren\u2019t closely aligned with these sectors to meet the growing demand.\u201d The rise of competency-based education is changing this landscape.<\/p>\n

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The Rise of the Competency-Based Approach<\/h4>\n

According to a Gallup and Lumina Foundation poll<\/a> in February 2014, only 11% of business leaders agree that graduates are prepared to be successful in the workplace. Employers are looking to hire skilled workers who demonstrate the ability to analyze and problem solve real-world challenges\u2014and this real-world relevance is the foundation of competency-based education.<\/p>\n

In a recent article in the Harvard Business Review<\/a>, author Michelle Weise states that online competency-based programs \u201chave the potential to create high-quality learning pathways that are affordable, scalable, and tailored to a wide variety of industries.\u201d<\/p>\n

As an example, Capella University students complete course work and assignments that help them master specific competencies they will need in the workplace. For example, a student studying health care might be asked to outline a process for selecting and rolling out a health insurance plan. Instead of multiple-choice tests, real-job scenarios like this allow participants to showcase practical skills that can translate to on-the-job success immediately<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In her article, Weise goes on to say that, \u201ccompetency-based education identifies explicit learning outcomes when it comes to knowledge and the application of that knowledge. They include measurable learning objectives that empower students.\u201d<\/p>\n

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How Competency-Based Education Fills the STEM Skills Gap<\/h4>\n

The competency-based learning approach can shrink the skills gap by allowing students to:<\/p>\n