What is Skills First Design

The gap between higher education and industry is often discussed, but mitigating solutions lag behind and contribute to its widening. This chapter explores the root causes of this gap and examines the establishment of common frameworks based on skills and approaches to assessing those skills as the path forward. The perspective and needs of the industry, the learners, and higher education are discussed. Data silos to inform the educational product on skills in need by industry exist. Tools to support communicating skills in various technology solutions in the spirit of a holistic learning and employment record are emerging. Skills and competencies that populate those records must be relevant, appropriately validated, and communicated using an agreed-upon language. Selected examples of current and emerging approaches in the skills-first approach to establishing common frameworks for communication and assessment are provided to illustrate possibilities.