Redefining the Idea of Career Readiness: Three Takeaways From Episode One of the CFL Podcast

This month, we launched our first episode of The Center for the Future of Learning (CFL) Podcast, inviting young people, educators and community leaders across the state to imagine what a thriving learning ecosystem could look like in Nevada.

To kick things off, our Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Sean Parker, sat down with Lauri Perdue, National Workforce Director at the University of Phoenix and the current chairwoman of the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance (LVGEA), to discuss career readiness and how we can better connect learning and opportunity for young people across Nevada, setting them up for success as they step into the next phase of their lives and careers. 

Below are three key takeaways from their conversation and and why they matter for the future of Nevada learning:

1. Nevada needs shared systems, not separate silos

One of the major themes in Lauri and Sean’s discussion was the idea that Nevada doesn’t have an education nor workforce problem. It has an ecosystem problem. 

For decades, K-12 schools, higher education institutions and employers have tried to solve career readiness on their own. But true career preparedness requires ongoing collaboration and a shared responsibility. Each institution needs to be aware of what the other is doing and it's essential that these education systems work together. This level of alignment is exactly what the state needs as industries diversify and the talent pipeline becomes more critical than ever. When systems work together, learners can move forward. 

2. Skills are the new gateway to opportunities–not just diplomas

Throughout the conversation, Lauri referenced her own work with the University of Phoenix and the push to redesign coursework around skills-based learning. The reality is employers are seeking young people with interpersonal skills who can clearly identify, articulate and apply what they know in the real-world. 

Instead of letter grades, standardized testing and traditional classroom learning, coursework is being redesigned around skills-first learning, allowing students to:

• Build a transparent inventory of what they know

• Match those skills to real employers and open roles

• Communicate their skill sets with clarity and confidence

This approach complements Nevada’s own push through the Portrait of a Learner, which elevates communication, collaboration, adaptability and other durable skills alongside academic knowledge.

3. Community connection is the heart of a thriving learning ecosystem

At its core, the conversation between Sean and Lauri was about the power of community and how we can bridge the gaps between educators, learners and the broader community to support young people, strengthen families and build a learning ecosystem where everybody thrives. 

Sean and Lauri reminded us that learning happens everywhere, even beyond the classroom setting. It begins with showing up for one another and allowing young people to champion the change of their own experiences, and learn in an environment that helps them develop core skills and provides them the agency to step into the workforce without fear of what comes next. 

It’s Just the Beginning of Learning Reimagined

The first episode of the CFL podcast arrives at a moment where a learning ecosystem isn’t just possible, it’s certain. We share alignment in leadership, renewed collaboration and growing recognition that learning is not just confined to the classroom but woven through the entire community. 

Lauri and Sean bring a fresh perspective that reminds us that Nevada education is not defined by its challenges, but instead defined by the people working together to supply a stronger ecosystem for those around them: educators, employers, families and the young people themselves.

We hope you join us for future episodes of the CFL podcast as we amplify the voices throughout the community that are making a difference in Nevada’s education landscape. Listen to Episode one of our podcast here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7IIzA5bD7ZyR0fnW3xatqi.