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Alternative to Accreditation - 2/24/16

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the world’s largest business organization, is the latest major player to recommend steps to radically restructure higher education in America.  As indicated in a recent Brookings briefing, the Chamber’s nonprofit affiliate recently issued a report arguing that employers should establish their own talent supplier recognition and certification system – essentially an alternative to the traditional college and university accreditation system. 

It’s not surprising that frustrated employers are looking to create an alternative to accreditation.  Higher education officials around the nation appear to be under the impression that they are doing an excellent job creating the next generation of productive workers. 

Business leaders don’t seem to agree.  While ninety six percent of college chief academic officers believe that they turn out work-ready graduates, only eleven percent of business leaders feel that college graduates are properly equipped to enter the workforce. 

Accordingly, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce report argues that higher education should utilize principles of supply change management, with colleges and employers working together to develop performance measures to assure that graduates have required workforce skills.

Anirban Basu, Chariman Chief Executive Officer of Sage Policy Group (SPG), is one of the Mid-Atlantic region's leading economic consultants. Prior to founding SPG he was Chairman and CEO of Optimal Solutions Group, a company he co-founded and which continues to operate. Anirban has also served as Director of Applied Economics and Senior Economist for RESI, where he used his extensive knowledge of the Mid-Atlantic region to support numerous clients in their strategic decision-making processes. Clients have included the Maryland Department of Transportation, St. Paul Companies, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Players Committee and the Martin O'Malley mayoral campaign.