Erie Public Schools in Pennsylvania have introduced the Aspiring Educators program, a two-year career and technical education initiative aimed at preparing students to become teachers in elementary and secondary schools. The program is hosted at Northwest Pennsylvania Collegiate Academy but is open to all high-school students in the district, and covers topics such as classroom management, child development and special education.

Students from Bullock Creek High School and other local schools in Michigan are building a house in Midland Township as part of a building trades class. Local contractors have supported the program by donating services and materials for the project, which provides students with valuable skills for future careers in trades.

California State University is partnering with Amazon, OpenAI and other tech companies to become the nation's largest AI-empowered university. The initiative includes campuswide access to ChatGPT Edu, AI training camps and industry input on workforce skills.

Mesa Community College is expanding its Construction Trades Program and Data Center Operations Program to address workforce shortages. The construction program includes a unique 1.5-acre laydown yard, the first of its kind at a community college, with strong support from industry partners contributing over $600,000. The data center program, developed with industry partners such as iMasons and AFCOM, offers hands-on training and new courses in data center operations and power distribution systems.

The Montana Department of Transportation has introduced a $600,000 simulator to train new snowplow drivers. The simulator, which replicates the exact conditions and controls of real plow trucks and prepares trainees for various scenarios, including icy roads and aggressive drivers.

Entry-level marketers are facing a challenging job market as active job listings for marketing positions fell by 5.2% from the second quarter to Q3 and entry-level listings dropped by 8.6% year over year, Taligence reports. Hiring is taking longer, with the average position posting lasting 41 days. Demand for growth and product marketers has increased, while demand for communications professionals has declined, Taligence says.

Stephen Addison, a professor at the University of Central Arkansas, in this article argues that while AI has contributed to job losses, it is not the sole factor. Addison says the software industry has matured, and economic factors such as inflation and higher interest rates have also played a role. Addison expects IT employment to rebound as AI-driven disruptions stabilize, and Addison advises students to focus on computational thinking and mathematical skills.

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