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APLU issues imperatives to improve economic development effectiveness
Recognizing that the global economic and science and engineering landscape is changing rapidly, the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) yesterday issued a position paper in an effort to bring together universities and their federal partners and respond to the economic and community development needs of the nation.
Yesterday members of APLU’s Council on Engagement & Outreach (CEO) and Commission on Innovation, Competitiveness and Economic Prosperity (CICEP) released a set of “high-level recommendations” for universities and federal lawmakers with a focus on five key objectives the group identified as “crucial to responding to the needs of our nation.” The recommendations focus on five areas:
- Build a thriving rural America;
- Meet the demands for 21st century talent through workforce development;
- Secure American leadership in advanced manufacturing;
- Stimulate and accelerate university-based innovation and entrepreneurship; and,
- Foster equitable, inclusive economic opportunity and mobility.
Within each of the focus areas, the policy paper outlines recommendations for both universities and federal policymakers. For instance, universities are encouraged to engage employers in the process of developing and supporting pathways for working professionals seeking continuing education, upskilling and retraining. Federal policymakers are encouraged to create incentives and support for the participation of four-year institutions in workforce development through apprenticeship programs.
APLU states in the paper that it hopes the recommendations “will ignite further conversation, bring together universities and their federal partners for continued in-depth dialogue and action to meet these five key national objectives.”