Beechwood Independent Schools in Kentucky has introduced the EDGE program, which integrates traditional academics with hands-on learning to prepare students for the workforce as early as kindergarten. High-school students can choose from minors such as biomed, engineering and entrepreneurship, and complete internships or dual-credit courses in their senior year.

More than 1,000 students attended the Building Futures Career Expo in Rock Island, Ill., to explore careers in trades through more than 45 hands-on activities. The event, which also was open to the general public this year, highlights the urgent need for skilled workers as a significant portion of the current workforce approaches retirement, with major infrastructure projects underway in the Quad Cities.

Students at Nichols Career Center in Jefferson City, Mo., are gaining hands-on experience in early childhood education through a partnership with the district's Little Jays Preschool. The collaboration allows high-school students to work directly with preschoolers, applying classroom knowledge in a real-world setting.

State leaders are concerned about the sustainability of statewide longitudinal data systems as they face declining funding and shifting priorities, a report from the Education Commission of the States finds. The systems, which track students' progress from pre-K to careers, are crucial for adapting to workforce changes driven by the rapid growth of AI and alternative career pathways and the changing global economy.

Performance assessments do more than measure—they motivate, inspire, and prepare students for real careers. Explore how hands-on testing builds confidence and validates the skills today's employers seek. Check out this blog and related resources to bring testing to life in your classroom.

US private-sector job losses slowed to an average of 2,500 per week in the four weeks ending Nov. 1, compared with 14,250 job losses per week in the previous four-week period, according to ADP. The figures are part of a new four-week moving average of employment changes with a two-week lag.

White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett noted that the job market is currently sending mixed signals. While he highlighted strong performance in output markets, Hassett pointed out that indicators from the labor market are less clear, suggesting uncertainty about future employment trends. "I think that there could be a little bit of almost quiet time in the labor market because firms are finding the AI is making their workers so productive that they don't necessarily have to hire the new kids out of college," Hassett said.

Packraft manufacturer Alpacka Raft, founded by Sheri Tingey in 2000, has expanded its domestic manufacturing capabilities since moving into a 20,000-square-foot factory in Mancos, Colorado. CEO Thor Tingey oversees the production of 11 raft models, emphasizing craftsmanship and employee input. The company, unaffected by tariffs due to its use of US-made materials, highlights the potential for complex manufacturing in the US.

The future of agricultural labor will be shaped by technology that supports rather than replaces workers, says Peter O'Driscoll of the Equitable Food Initiative. The labor shortage, driven by an aging workforce and reliance on the H-2A visa program, highlights the need for a workforce skilled in technology, industry leaders say. Tim Bucher of Agtonomy and Tyler Niday of Bonsai Robotics emphasize the need for training in areas such as robotics and AI.