In this episode of Talking About Talent, learn how apprenticeship is expanding well beyond the traditional skilled trades and building pathways to positions that enhance economic mobility and strengthen communities. Community colleges across the U.S. are at the center of this work, according to John Colborn, the executive director of Apprenticeships for America.

Student labor market outcomes are among the most pressing demands community colleges leaders face. As our institutions are increasingly called to account for these dynamics, the vice president of the US Chamber of Commerce, Jason Tyszko shares with Dr. Pollard where our colleges are already getting it right and how they can deepen critical relationships with business. Tyszko identifies several practical ways that colleges can position their students for gainful employment: use local and state chambers to access employer collaboratives; learn the language of business to help new partners align their needs with colleges' assets; and explore how our colleges can create relationships with chambers so they can play a "functionally different role in the community." Tyszko also promotes the US Chamber of Commerce's Talent Pipeline Management program to empower community colleges even further in building meaningful relationships.

Dr. DeRionne Pollard interviews US Under Secretary of Education Nicholas Kent about a range of topics impacting higher education and community colleges in particular. Their conversation touches on affordability, workforce training, accountability, Pell grants, and apprenticeships, and more. The role of community colleges in workforce infrastructure and civic engagement are also discussed in this deep dive into the value of the nation's more than 1,000 community colleges.

Dr. DeRionne Pollard is the president and CEO of the American Association of Community Colleges.