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In this episode of Getting Unstuck

Today we’re joined by Gregg Brown. Gregg spent 30 years in the telecommunications industry. He became an instructor at the Blue Valley Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS) where he taught marketing and economics using Profession Based Learning. In 2017, Gregg became the CAPS Network Coordinator to support the growing number of programs using the CAPS Model.

The Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS) is a high school innovation that uses Profession Based Learning. Pro-BL creates learning environments where students can explore potential careers based on knowing their passions, purpose and stren… — **The Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS)** is a high school innovation that uses Profession Based Learning. Pro-BL creates learning environments where students can explore potential careers based on knowing their passions, purpose and strengths while working with professionals on real-world problems and projects.

Why this conversation matters

The future of work is changing. Globalization and technology has fueled the “fourth Industrial Revolution”. A major outcome of that change will be the characteristics of jobs in that future. The current education model was designed for the first industrial revolution and now must dramatically reform itself to be able to produce the people with the skills required of those jobs. Profession Based Learning complements college preparation by adding a dimension of career focus that supports students finding their passions and strengths and matching them to opportunities in the market. Every part of K12 Education needs to redesign its approach and outcomes through the integration of Real World Learning to prepare our customers, the students, for that future.

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How you can put this podcast to work

How much exposure do your students have to what Gregg refers to as “professional” or “soft” skills? These are sometimes referred to as interpersonal skills that a professional would need to have to be fully emotionally intelligent.
How much exposure do your high schools students have with career opportunities in their local environment?
The experience that Gregg describes for teachers if probably very different to what most teachers are used to. Looking at yourself or the teachers in your department or school, how readily could they make the shift that Gregg describes? If they’re challenged, what would be holding them back?