Defending Ideas29 Jul 2025

Should we reorient higher ed toward a skills-based economy?

One of the biggest challenges facing the economy in recent years, at both the national and state levels, is persistent workforce shortages across different industries. With more jobs than qualified workers, leaders in states like Utah are confronting the gap between education and training institutions and the needs of employers. On this episode of Defending Ideas, Nic Dunn is joined by Jordan Hill and Amy Andre from Talent Ready Utah to explore how work-based learning, apprenticeships, and career-connected education are helping to bridge that gap.

What’s working in Utah? Why aren’t more companies using apprenticeships? And how can we build a system that values all postsecondary pathways — whether academic or technical? From reshaping public attitudes to advancing smart policy, this episode highlights a principled path forward that empowers students, strengthens opportunity, and fuels a thriving workforce.

Guests:

Jordan Hill, Assistant Commissioner of Industry Workforce Initiatives, Talent Ready Utah
Amy Andre, State Work-Based Learning Intermediary, Talent Ready Utah

Show notes:

Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show, we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, making you a better champion of sound ideas. Visit defendingideas.org.

Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show, we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, making you a better champion of sound ideas. Visit defendingideas.org.

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