InterLink’s Futurist Task Force has identified trends that could change the way we live and work. Included in this thought-provoking presentation are the ways the technologies may be used to enhance our quality of life but may also bring social and ethical issues that should not be ignored.

The workforce of tomorrow will have jobs that are not even imagined today. Technology, terrorism, and temptation have changed the face of the workforce so rapidly that it is difficult for business and education to keep up. Yet, educators are being challenged to prepare students with the skills to make the American workforce globally competitive. Included in this fast-paced and informative, presentation is a look at the changing workforce, workplace trends, the skills the industry wants, identification of growing occupations and ways to forecast them, and the educational requirements for the future workplace.

Artificial Intelligence, Genetics, Robotics, Data Mining, and Holography are but a few of the industries that will shape the future of work. Included in this thought-provoking presentation are the types of technology that will influence the jobs of the future and the way we will work. It also brings awareness of the social and ethical issues these technologies will inspire.

The Perfect Storm

As we face the storms of uncertainty in the workplace, job competition from abroad, changing demographics, and dynamic changes in the work of the future, it would be easy to drown in the undertow. This presentation identifies the “Perfect Storm” and realistically discusses what we as individuals can do to survive it.

The Puzzle

Demographics, education, personal and national debt, social security, the workforce, and work trends will drastically change the future for the next generation of workers. This presentation puts the pieces of the puzzle together and gives ideas on what might be done to prepare ourselves for the future.

Gen. X, Y, and Beyond!” The latchkey kids are mature, and the “echo boomers” have boomed. It’s the Millennials that have everyone talking! Technology is inbred into their psyche, they have witnessed more violence than any age group before them, and they were deeply affected by COVID, which continues to blur their vision. Their behavior in the workplace is shocking to those who were accustomed to Baby Boomers, and they don’t care. The information in this presentation puts into perspective the mindset of the generational changing of the guard.

Provides insight into the targeted occupations identified by North Central Texas employers to be in high demand. A snapshot of business and education trends for the workforce, followed by the opportunities for jobs that may have been overlooked but which offer good potential for growth and earnings, makes this session a must-see.

We once thought our workforce challenge was jobs going offshore to low-wage workers, but now we are beginning to see technology doing work once performed with human labor. Our workforce is changing and will continue to do so. But where does that leave the worker? This presentation helps you prepare.

Tells it like it is! The future of today’s students will be very different from that of their parents. Their success in adult life will be based on their knowledge, skills, and lifelong learning. This information describes the changing workplace, trends, skills, and education needs. It reinforces the importance of staying in school and taking challenging courses.

“Lifelong learning” has been the buzzword into the millennium. But what does that mean in terms of preparing for the workforce? Do workers need a two year degree, four year degree or beyond? Are there quality jobs available without a degree? Find the answers in this presentation!

InterLink asked regional employers the following question: If you had access to teachers of middle school to high school students, what advice would you give them to prepare their students for the workforce of the next 5-8 years? This power point presentation offers their responses.

To Infinity and Beyond! (Workshop)

Roll up your sleeves and come prepared to work. An all day workshop teaching career investigation and preparation through the on use of labor market information.

Explore nontraditional occupations for men and women and discover methods to help them reap the benefits of breaking with traditional roles.

Identified over a decade ago in a public/private sector initiative, the skills featured in this presentation are still imperative to prepare the workforce of today for the jobs of tomorrow.

The North Central Texas Focus Group Project Report
(available online in the Publications section)

InterLink spent nine months conducting business/industry focus groups on their needs for the future. They got specific about just which skills they need, what their workforce will be like in 5 years, and who should do what to prepare young people for the future. Also in a nine-month period, focus groups were conducted with students, secondary and post secondary educators, and parents discussing how we are preparing students for the future. This report validates much of what is being said about the need to enhance education with an eye toward students’ futures, with a few surprises as well!