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Future U Podcast - The Pulse of Higher Ed

Future U Podcast - The Pulse of Higher Ed

By: Jeff Selingo Michael Horn
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 Jeff Selingo and Michael Horn discuss what’s next for higher education and talk with the newsmakers you want to hear from most. Find the latest news and insights into the current trends in higher ed on the Future U. Podcast.2024 Future U Podcast Economics Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Rerun: Learning from the Swiss Apprenticeship Model

    Rerun: Learning from the Swiss Apprenticeship Model
    Aug 19 2025

    The U.S. has a lot to learn when it comes to systematizing apprenticeship. Thankfully, there are successful international models, like Switzerland’s, that we can study. Katie Caves, the Director at Switzerland’s Center on the Economics and Management of Education and Training Systems, joins the podcast to discuss the Swiss model and what can be gleaned from it. They discuss its permeability between academic and vocational tracks, proving its value to employers, the prestige of Swiss apprenticeships, and the principles that hold across borders. This episode is made with support from Ascendium Education Group

    Publications Mentioned:

    Return on investment of apprenticeship systems for enterprises: Evidence from cost-benefit analyses

    by Samuel Muehlemann & Stefan C Wolter

    Chapters

    0:00 - Intro

    3:35 - Swiss Apprenticeship 101

    6:56 - Path Selection and Funding

    13:46 - The Status of Apprenticeship in Switzerland

    18:58 - Borrowing Across Borders

    25:15 - The ROI to Employers

    29:47 - Evaluating Indiana’s Apprenticeship Model

    33:45 - Imbuing Prestige in American Apprenticeship

    38:49 - Striking the Balance

    43:01 - The Influence of Accountability

    Connect with Michael Horn:

    Sign Up for the The Future of Education Newsletter

    Website

    LinkedIn

    X (Twitter)

    Threads

    Connect with Jeff Selingo:

    Sign Up for the Next Newsletter

    Website

    X (Twitter)

    Threads

    LinkedIn

    Connect with Future U:

    Twitter

    YouTube

    Threads

    Instagram

    Facebook

    LinkedIn

    Submit a question and if we answer it on air we'll send you Future U. swag!

    Sign up for Future U. emails to get special updates and behind-the-scenes content.
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    48 mins
  • Rerun: Chips and Higher Ed: What the Federal Investment Means for Colleges

    Rerun: Chips and Higher Ed: What the Federal Investment Means for Colleges
    Aug 12 2025

    What does a community college in Idaho have to do with mounting economic tensions between the U.S. and China? A lot, actually.

    On this episode of Future U., Michael and Jeff dive into what the CHIPS and Science Act—the federal spending package designed to reduce the United States’ reliance on foreign manufacturers for microchips and other advanced technologies—means for a segment of American postsecondary institutions that’s often forgotten in these conversations: community colleges. They talk with nonprofit and government leaders about how the CHIPS supports the education and training of a high tech workforce. They then go deep with the team at the College of Western Idaho to get a view of how they are developing these programs in collaboration with their corporate partner, Micron. This episode is sponsored by Ascendium Education Group.
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    21 mins
  • AI in the Workplace: Michael Horn Hosts WGU's Future of Work Panel

    AI in the Workplace: Michael Horn Hosts WGU's Future of Work Panel
    Jul 29 2025
    In this special bonus episode of Future U, Michael Horn moderates a panel discussion on the future of work and learning in the age of AI. Recorded at a Western Governors University event in Boston, the conversation features insights from industry leaders across technology, consulting, and higher education.Panelists Paul Bingham (WGU), Will Bass (formerly of Comcast), Kara Kara Wieckowski (Accenture), and Wayne Duso (former VP at AWS) explore the transformative impact of AI on workforce development, talent acquisition, and educational models. They discuss whether we should view AI as revolutionary like the smartphone or complementary like the microwave, share strategies for upskilling at both individual and organizational levels, and examine innovative approaches to virtual internships and experiential learning.Whether you're an educator, administrator, business leader, or student contemplating your career path, this episode provides valuable insights on navigating the rapidly evolving intersection of work, technology, and education.Chapters0:00 - Introduction2:34 - AI Perspectives: Optimism vs. Concerns6:28 - The Microwave vs. Smartphone Analogy9:09 - AI as an Accelerant of Change12:29 - Job Anxiety and Workforce Evolution21:22 - Rethinking Talent Acquisition and Development23:25 - Creating a Holistic Talent Approach24:41 - Accenture's AI Talent Strategy27:29 - The Bottom-Up vs. Top-Down Approach33:58 - Learning at the Speed of Human Capacity37:23 - Skill Forward: Balancing Organization and Individual Growth40:45 - Learning Models for Different Types of Adopters43:39 - On-the-Job Training and Strategic Learning47:55 - The Challenge of Finding Time to Learn53:04 - Virtual Experiences and the Future of Internships Further Reading"AI Skills Fundamentals Certificate" - Western Governors UniversityWGU's certificate program designed to help professionals develop foundational AI knowledge and skills applicable across various industries, supporting both personal growth and organizational innovation."AI Won't Replace Humans—But Humans With AI Will Replace Humans Without AI" - Harvard Business ReviewAn insightful article by Harvard professor Karim Lakhani explaining how AI will lower the cost of cognition and why business leaders must experiment with AI applications for all employees, not just tech workers."The Upskilling Imperative: Required at Scale for the Future of Work" - McKinseyResearch highlighting how companies can take a larger role in upskilling employees by eliminating barriers of time and cost, with specific strategies for developing critical workforce capabilities."ChatGPT is Going to Change Education, Not Destroy It" - MIT Technology ReviewAn examination of how AI tools like ChatGPT are being reevaluated by educators as potential classroom aids rather than threats, with practical examples of implementation across educational settings."The Future of Skills: Employment in 2030" - PearsonA comprehensive research report that identifies which occupations and skills are likely to be in demand by 2030, considering seven megatrends including technological change, globalization, and demographic shifts. Connect with Michael Horn:Sign Up for the The Future of Education NewsletterWebsiteLinkedInX (Twitter)Threads Connect with Jeff Selingo:Sign Up for the Next NewsletterWebsiteX (Twitter)ThreadsLinkedInConnect with Future U:TwitterYouTubeThreadsInstagramFacebookLinkedIn Submit a question and if we answer it on air we'll send you Future U. swag!Sign up for Future U. emails to get special updates and behind-the-scenes content.
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    1 hr and 2 mins
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