Supporting Students’ Paths to ‘New Collar’ Careers
IBM President, Chairman and CEO Ginni Rometty coined the term “new collar” to describe emerging career paths in IT that require substantial skill but aren’t defined by traditional white- or blue-collar expectations. This speaks to a broader shift in skill sets. Employers say they struggle to find workers with soft skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, adaptability and communication.
Makerspaces in K–12 schools can help bridge this gap by equipping students with the tools and technology they need to hone those skills, such as independent problem-solving, while also seeing the real-world impact of their work.
There’s not one right way to leverage the benefit of makerspaces. Administrators need to find the combination of teaching and technology that works best for students and staff.
