By GREGORY ZELLER //
Academic and business leaders are uniting on a mission to upskill regional talent.
The Molloy Talent Solutions Summit, scheduled for Tuesday at the Rockville Centre university, is expected to officially introduce Molloy’s new Talent Solutions program, an “employer-responsive initiative” designed to better prepare future workers, help companies retain current employees and otherwise strengthen the regional workforce.
Packed with customized education strategies, the program aims to erase outdated divides between “blue-collar” and “white-collar” learning, focusing instead on real-world needs expressed by employers – and responding with a targeted selection of micro-badge, certificate and noncredit training programs.
The comprehensive Talent Solutions program thereby serves two purposes, according to Molloy University President James Lentini: answering current workforce needs with immediately marketable skills, while also preparing the leaders of tomorrow by clearing pathways toward future degrees.
“From short, targeted badges to stackable certificates and, ultimately, degrees, Molloy Talent Solutions is built to be responsive and resilient for Long Island’s evolving economy,” Lentini said.
James Lentini: Ear to the ground.
Developed in collaboration with Core Education – a Virginia-based “mission critical strategic partner” dedicated to operational effectiveness, technological efficiency and capital-strategy success at colleges and universities – the program opens with an initial catalogue of about 300 courses and custom modules.
Topics range from the universally applicable (supply chain fundamentals, effective business communications) to the hyper-specific (phlebotomy, pharmaceutical production), with a regionally aware focus on biotechnology and “bench-ready laboratory competencies,” according to Molloy. The learning opportunities can be rapidly reconfigured to meet employer needs across different sectors.
In addition to introducing the Talent Solutions program, the Sept. 30 summit at the university’s Public Square Building is slated to include a panel discussion on modern workforce challenges and proven, practical solutions, moderated by Molloy University Vice President for Advancement Edward Thompson. The panel is scheduled to include Long Island Association President/CEO Matt Cohen, Ignite Long Island President Jamie Moore and Haugland Group Vice President for External Affairs and Strategic Engagement Rosalie Drago, along with other leaders from regional industry, Molloy academics and Core Education.
Talent Solutions is the latest evolution of Molloy’s Business Solutions programs, a series of workforce-development initiatives built to engage with corporate sectors across Long Island and Greater New York. Similarly focused on recruitment and retention, Business Solutions already offers online certificate programs in healthcare, human resources, project management and other key fields.
With the Talent Solutions incarnation, employers can select off-the-shelf professional-development options or create customized learning programs to address real-time skill gaps – providing short-term wins for corporate cohorts and long-term gains for eager learners, according to Lentini.
“This is about listening to Long Island employers first,” the university president added. “Then building right-sized, right-now learning together with our partners.”
