The Confluence of Education and Talent Development
Higher Education, K-12, Workforce Development, STEM, Minority-Serving Institutions, and Education Researchers
Education today is critical to the functioning of society and the competitiveness of our economy. Higher education and high-quality workforce development programs are a key driver for social mobility and a catalyst for the workforce of tomorrow. Lewis-Burke works with leaders across the education spectrum, including institutions of higher education, STEM organizations, modern apprenticeship programs, Minority-Serving Institutions, K-12 stakeholders, and education researchers, among others. Our team advances our clients’ education innovation, talent development, legislative, and research priorities by leveraging deep relationships across Congress and relevant federal agencies and a keen understanding of education policy and practice.
Results Speak Volumes
Education and Workforce
Shaping Higher Education Regulations
Working alongside a higher education society, Lewis-Burke leveraged in-depth knowledge of the federal regulatory space to shape federal regulations that would impact the society’s primary program of study. Lewis-Burke was able to navigate the client through the relevant U.S. Department of Education regulatory process as well as provide strategic advice on engaging with the agency that would allow for the society to influence the forthcoming policies from the Department.
Education and Workforce
Expanding and Forging New Workforce Policy Frontiers
In the face of declining enrollments, questions about Return on Investment (ROI), and sharp policy critiques in higher education, Lewis-Burke's Talent and Workforce Development Practice Group has taken a leading role in shaping a vision for four-year higher education institutions. This vision positions them as crucial players in meeting tomorrow's workforce development needs.
Education and Workforce
Increasing Funding For and Securing Reauthorization of Aviation Workforce Programs
Lewis-Burke worked closely with a university client to identify priority areas for the year, which included increasing funding and expanding project eligibility for FAA’s premier aviation workforce development grant program by securing language in the FAA Reauthorization Bill. The Lewis-Burke team developed a reauthorization strategy to advocate for funding increases, expand the eligibility of specific projects within the program, and ensure its longevity through reauthorizing legislation.
Education and Workforce
Elevating Innovation at a Less-Research Intensive System Campus
A less research-intensive campus within a larger university system client developed and launched an innovative fast-track education program, incorporating elements of cooperative learning, industry partners, and social improvement for students. As the program gained early attention, Lewis-Burke developed an appropriations strategy for the Department of Education to use its Experimental Sites authority to support various regulatory flexibilities for the program and ensure student aid dollars would be able to flow without issue.
Education and Workforce
Driving Agency Collaborations to Create New Education Research Opportunities
Over several years, the education research community was frustrated by the lack of collaboration between the National Science Foundation and the Department of Education, leading innovative research to be underutilized by practitioners and making scaling of NSF-funded discoveries difficult. Lewis-Burke recognized an opportunity to confront this challenge with congressional focus on competitiveness and learning loss from the COVID-19 pandemic, and Administration changes bringing attention to translation of research results.
The Lewis-Burke Approach
Smart, Comprehensive and Focused.
We take a customized and comprehensive approach to the development and execution of client strategies. By focusing on and crafting relevant education, research, and workforce development opportunities, we identify the trends and forces important to the education community. Whether the topic is funding opportunities, regulatory developments, or industry shifts, we deliver consistent wins and unparalleled support for clients.
Funding for workforce development enjoys broad policy support and has seen increased federal investments. As a bipartisan platform that enjoys broad support, it is a topic that continues to underpin the federal government’s large-scale investments in regional economic development and innovation.
With challenges to higher education’s value proposition, advocating for student and institutional support programs, educating policymakers on the complex operations of higher education, and articulating the societal impact of higher education take on even more importance.
AI and technological advances, increased attention to educational access, questions related to return on investment, concerns related to campus climate, and changing demographics are just some of the seismic disruptions that will continue to impact education.
Traditional silos between higher education, K-12, and workforce development programs have begun to breakdown, creating an opportunity space for meaningful engagement between these stakeholder groups as it becomes increasingly clear that lifelong learning will be required to support US competitiveness in industries of the future.
Education
Lewis-Burke’s education and workforce development expertise focuses on the Department of Education, the National Science Foundation, Department of Labor, Department of Commerce, Department of Defense, and other federal agencies interested in advancing innovation and domestic competitiveness through education and workforce development. This includes advanced intelligence on opportunities, engagement with policymakers, shaping authorizing and appropriations legislation, and other means of supporting clients and their education and talent development missions.
Higher Education
Higher education is an ever-evolving field currently facing a unique federal policy landscape. College students are no longer primarily first-time, full-time students and there is a growing focus on the return on investment represented by a traditional four-year degree. Access to higher education alone is no longer sufficient and there is increased focus on the return on investment for a college degree. The nuances and facets of higher education include accreditation, financial aid, increased attention on college completion, cost, and accountability. Lewis-Burke is a trusted resource in navigating the higher education regulatory and policy environments within Congress, the Administration, and federal agencies. As experts in the sector, our clients can count on us to provide sound guidance, advice and develop strategies that leverage the role higher education plays in social mobility, civic health, and economic development.
Workforce Development
Emerging Technologies, Automation. Globalization. These are some of the powerful forces challenging traditional models of workforce development. Effective workforce development rests on training, education, and partnerships and breaking down the traditional silos between education and workforce. From the defense and energy sectors to apprenticeships and cooperative education, the Lewis-Burke team is made up of experts who understand the intersection between workforce and education priorities and the changing nature of workforce development, lifelong learning, and technical education.
Let's Get Started
Trusted experts. Visionary thinkers.
Dedicated professionals.
Clients can trust the expertise and guidance they receive from Lewis-Burke. Decision-makers at agencies and on the Hill look to our team as thought partners and conveners who provide valuable information and knowledge that can advance policy and education. Let us get to work for you.