America is at a crossroads. On one hand, technology is advancing at a breathtaking pace, reshaping industries and the workplace as we know it. On the other, businesses across the country are struggling to find the talent they need to compete and grow. For far too long, outdated hiring practices have focused on degrees and certifications rather than the actual skills people bring to the table. As a result, untapped talent remains sidelined, while employers grapple with persistent labor shortages.
The problem isn’t that Americans aren’t learning. The problem is that much of what we learn is overlooked unless it results in a formal credential — a piece of paper on the wall. We don’t yet have a universal way to capture and value how people grow, learn, and translate their experiences into what I like to call “superpowers at work.” This gap in recognition stifles innovation, limits opportunity, and leaves wealth-building potential on the table.
A thriving economy requires skills-based hiring and training, advancing and valuing opportunities for lifelong learning, and promoting multiple pathways to family-sustaining careers. And while technology isn’t the sole solution, it is the critical enabler of these efforts.
The Promise of Technology-Enabled Communities
Communities across America are watching their economies shift, often with uncertainty about where they fit into a technology-driven future. Many of us struggle to imagine what a technology economy can look like for us — when simply navigating our smartphones can feel overwhelming. But the truth is, there’s a place for all of us in this transformation.
This isn’t about turning everyone into a computer engineer. It’s about ensuring that technology empowers everyone — helping individuals build wealth, access greater opportunity, and ultimately strengthen their communities. Opportunity in technology exists in every activity that defines a thriving community. From small businesses to schools, from healthcare to local government, technology plays a role in creating livable communities — places where people want to work, live, and contribute.
To fully unlock technology’s potential, we need to approach it as more than a tool for the few. It’s a tool for all of us — a foundation for creating vibrant, prosperous economies that work for everyone, not just the big players.
Shifting the Focus to Local Economies
In my work with communities and businesses across the country, I’ve seen a recurring theme: economic development strategies often cater exclusively to the “big guys.” Decision-makers tend to center their efforts on attracting or retaining large corporations — healthcare providers, aerospace companies, or financial institutions. While these sectors are vital, this narrow focus overlooks the full ecosystem of jobs and talent needed to create livable communities.
Here’s the truth: technology is everywhere, and so is the need for talent that can deliver it. A technology economy doesn’t just exist at the chip manufacturing facility. It’s in the small businesses that need websites to expand their reach and improve services. It’s in the schools that require secure, efficient technology to engage parents and protect student data. It’s in the local government offices that need user-friendly platforms to serve constituents more effectively.
A community’s economic success lies in designing a vision that includes everyone. That means ensuring there are pathways for individuals to access tech-related careers at every stage of life, from apprenticeships to upskilling programs. It means employers value all the ways people learn the skills for those jobs. It means building partnerships across sectors to address the talent gaps in every corner of the economy.
Investing in Skills for a Tech-Driven Economy
A skills-first economy requires us to think beyond traditional education and embrace a broader view of how people learn and grow. Here’s how we can build tech-enabled, skills-first communities:
Empower Small Businesses
Small businesses are the lifeblood of local economies. By investing in digital skills training and accessible tools, we can help them thrive in a tech-driven world. Programs that teach web development, digital marketing, and e-commerce skills can give small business owners the tools they need to compete — and create jobs in the process.
Foster Lifelong Learning
Technology evolves rapidly, and so must our skills. Employers across sectors need to find ways to value and leverage all the ways in which people learn and grow in our modern economies.
Strengthen Public-Private Partnerships
Cross-sector collaboration is essential to addressing the tech talent gap. By partnering with private companies, educational institutions, and local governments, communities can design training programs that align with real-world needs — reducing the time and cost of upskilling while ensuring better outcomes for workers and employers.
Increase Access to Digital Empowerment Tools
Infrastructure like broadband internet, affordable devices, and accessible online learning platforms is a prerequisite for a thriving tech-enabled community. Long-term investments in digital empowerment ensure no one is left behind.
Katch Skills: A Tool for the Skills-First Economy
At the heart of this transformation is the ability to recognize and value skills, no matter where or how they are acquired. That’s where Katch Skills comes in.
Katch captures every learning moment — whether it’s reading a book, attending a workshop, or listening to a podcast — and translates it into visible strengths through skills-first profiles. For individuals, this means turning informal learning into tangible opportunities. For businesses, it means tapping into a deeper talent pool and fostering a culture of continuous growth.
Technology is not the end goal — it’s the enabler of a more prosperous economy. By embracing a skills-first approach, we can create communities where every individual has a place in the future of work and every business has access to the talent it needs to succeed.
Let’s build a vision of a thriving economy that works for everyone — powered by technology, driven by skills, and designed for all. Learn more about how Katch Skills is making this vision a reality at www.katchskills.com.
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