The METRANS Transportation Consortium is pleased to announce the publication of a new research paper that explores the pivotal role of Professional and Continuing Education (PaCE) units in shaping the future of workforce development across California. The peer-reviewed paper was a collaborative effort between Center for International Trade & Transportation Executive Director Dr. Tyler Reeb, a PSR researcher and METRANS executive committee member, and two other members of the California State University, Long Beach community: Barbara Taylor, Associate Dean for Research in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and Christopher Swarat, Dean of the College of Professional and Continuing Education. Reeb, Taylor, and Swarat’s paper was included as a part of a special issue on opportunities and challenges for California higher education published by Center for Studies in Higher Education at University of California – Berkeley’s Research & Occasional Paper Series (ROPS).

The paper, titled “Talent Pipelines for The Fourth Industrial Revolution: How California PaCE Units Can Bridge Critical KSA Gaps,” outlines a comprehensive strategy for utilizing PaCE units at post-secondary institutions to create robust talent pipelines, foster research and development collaborations, and build dynamic knowledge ecosystems. These initiatives are designed to equip both emerging and returning professionals with the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) necessary to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving career landscape. 

The authors contend that PaCE units are uniquely suited to bridge the gap between industry needs and workforce capabilities, ensuring that job seekers are prepared on a timeline that aligns with the swift pace of technological advancement. The article discusses the outcomes and implications of a “proof-of-concept” effort by Reeb and Taylor, who designed, implemented, and documented a pair of pilot talent pipeline efforts with the engineering consulting firm Gannett Fleming and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).

If you are curious about talent pipelines and the research that led to the pilot programs discussed, please see a previous CITT publication here: Trade and Transportation Talent Pipeline Blueprints: Building University-Industry Talent Pipelines in Colleges of Continuing and Professional Education.