Co-authored by Julian L. Alssid and Kaitlin LeMoine
As we approach the 2024 election, economic concerns dominate the political landscape. In recent speeches, Vice President Kamala Harris has elaborated on her Opportunity Economy plan. Just last week she pledged to promote skill-based hiring, double the number of apprenticeships, and invest in sectors that will "define the next century," including biomanufacturing, aerospace, artificial intelligence, quantum computing and blockchain, advanced nuclear power, and batteries. As advisors to leaders shaping the future of work and learning, we're excited to see these recommendations promoted by a potential future President. However, we believe that in order to bring these initiatives to life, a new position must be created: a National Talent Development Director.
Recent polls underscore the primacy of economic issues. According to Pew Research Center, 75% of Americans rate economic conditions as fair or poor. The latest Consumer Confidence Index reveals growing concerns about job availability, with 18.3% of consumers saying jobs were "hard to get," up from 16.8% the previous month. These aren't just statistics; they represent millions of Americans feeling left behind by the rapidly changing economy.
Addressing these economic challenges is complex, spanning multiple agencies and requiring coordinated efforts across various sectors. While the Biden-Harris administration has made substantial investments through initiatives like the American Rescue Plan and the CHIPS and Science Act, these don't address the immediate pain felt by many Americans. We can't simply promise future jobs in green energy or semiconductors; people need solutions now.
To expedite the movement toward a skills-based, future-focused economy that regularly experiences shifts due to changes and advances in AI, we propose creating the National Talent Development Director position, analogous to the Director of National Intelligence, which would:
Report directly to the President
Coordinate workforce/talent development and economic opportunity efforts across all agencies to ensure these investments are strategically used to support working class Americans
Leverage emerging technologies to connect workers with up-to-date jobs and related training
The Director's ambitious mandate would be to provide every American access to a personalized career plan within one year by leveraging AI-driven platforms and emerging technologies. This career plan would include skill assessment, job market information, existing and emerging career pathways, accessible education and training opportunities, and career transition support. The Director would also optimize existing investments, ensure efficient resource use, eliminate redundancies, align federal efforts with state and local initiatives, and facilitate public-private partnerships. This approach would provide clear accountability, translate economic policies into tangible benefits for workers, help rebuild trust in government, and enhance national competitiveness by staying ahead of the technological curve.
Drawing from our professional experiences spanning three decades and our podcast discussions, we have witnessed the challenge of making connections across government agencies and initiatives. As the future of work and learning takes shape and continues to evolve, we believe that Americans need to be able to see an immediate impact in their communities that has not historically been achieved through government and legislative processes which take time to unfold. The creation of a National Talent Development Director, whose purpose is to ensure that Americans benefit from economic investment and technological innovation, could be key to expediting a new era of economic opportunity now and as we move forward.