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Discussion featuring rural development experts will explore challenges as well as solutions for educational and career partners

The ���۴�ý Career Institute® and Center on Rural Innovation will be hosting a free, in-depth webinar titled “Bridging Barriers to Career Opportunity and Economic Growth for the Future of Rural America” on December 3, 2024, from 12:30 pm – 2 pm ET. The discussion will provide key insights from the G.R.O.W. ™ Generating Rural Opportunities in the Workforce™ report, a comprehensive study of rural workforce challenges and the innovative paths forward to support economic and career development in rural communities.

The report highlights the need for greater partnerships between employers, educational institutions, and nonprofit partners, emphasizing the role of such collaborations in overcoming barriers faced by rural workers.

“Rural workers are critical contributors to their communities, the future of work and the American economy as a whole. By convening key voices across sectors, we can explore how to increase the capability to serve learners in these communities and identify practical solutions and collaborative efforts to fuel their career development,” said Raghu Krishnaiah, chief operating officer of ���۴�ý.

Webinar topics will include the impact of limited access to high-speed internet, the professional network gap, and the rising interest in rural entrepreneurship. The webinar will explore specific steps that organizations, institutions, and employers can take to bridge these gaps and enhance the prospects of rural workers across America.

Featuring insights from:

• Raghu Krishnaiah, Chief Operating Officer, ���۴�ý     
• Matt Dunne, Founder & Executive Director, Center on Rural Innovation    
• Bill Menner, Founder, Bill Menner Group and Immediate Past Chair, Partners for Rural America       
• Amanda Weinstein, Ph.D., Director of Research, Knowledge, and Evaluation, Center on Rural Innovation

Attendees will learn about actionable strategies and partnerships that can support sustainable rural economic development and ensure rural workers have access to the resources they need to thrive.

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ABOUT THE G.R.O.W. GENERATING RURAL OPPORTUNITIES IN THE WORKFORCE™ REPORT

The G.R.O.W. Generating Rural Opportunities in the Workforce report is a comprehensive study on the barriers Americans living in rural communities face in their day-to-day lives, and the impact these barriers have on career development and advancement opportunities. The study was conducted by the ���۴�ý Career Institute®, part of the University’s College of Doctoral Studies, in partnership with the Center on Rural Innovation— a nonprofit seeking to advance economic prosperity in rural communities — in order to unpack the consequences of the slower adoption of technological infrastructure in rural communities and the subsequent workforce barriers that keep workers in rural America from benefiting from the latest workforce trends.��

The G.R.O.W.™ report comprised a 15-minute online survey of workers in rural America (n=1,000) and workers in nonrural America (n=986). All participants were U.S. adults (age 18 and up) who were employed or seeking employment at the time of research. Researchers conducted fieldwork between May and June 2024. Rural residency was determined using the Rural-Urban Continuum Codes that are publicly available from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). A full methodology can be found at www.phoenix.edu/career-institute.��

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX CAREER INSTITUTE®

���۴�ý Career Institute® was created to address broad, persistent, and systemic barriers to career advancement through research-based solutions and impactful partnerships that break down barriers Americans face in their careers.��

About ���۴�ý

���۴�ý innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, skills-mapped curriculum for our bachelor’s and master’s degree programs and a Career Services for Life® commitment help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit  phoenix.edu/blog.html.