Episode overview
In this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, John Jantsch interviews career futurist Alexandra Levit about her new book,
Do Homework: Solving America’s Youth Employment Crisis Through Work-Based Learning.
They explore how work-based learning, including internships, internships, and deep real-world experiences, can bridge the growing gap between employers struggling to find skilled workers and young people facing underemployment after graduation.
As AI reshapes entry-level knowledge work and skilled trades face labor shortages, Alexandra makes the case that businesses of all sizes can build their own talent pipeline while strengthening their brand, culture, and social impact.
This episode is a practical guide for small and medium business owners who are tired of chasing ready talent and want a smart, sustainable staffing strategy.
About Alexandra Levit
Alexandra Levit is a workplace futurist, author, and CEO of Inspiration at Work. He has written extensively on the future of work, talent intelligence, and workforce trends.
In Do Homeworkco-authored with GPS Education Partners, he presents a comprehensive framework for work-based education that connects students, employers, educators, and communities to address America’s youth employment crisis.
Learn more at: makeschoolwork.org
What is Work-Based Learning?
Work-based learning is education that takes place in a real-world workplace. It usually includes:
- Apprenticeship
- Internships
- Individual training
- Focused, skills-based work experience
Quality work-based education is:
- It is true to the things that interest the reader
- Immersion and manual labor
- It is designed with clear learning objectives in mind
- Designed to build both technical and interpersonal skills
Students acquire practical skills, such as operating machines, integrating AI technologies, or performing skilled tasks, while developing judgment, communication, and problem-solving abilities.
Youth Employment Crisis Explained
Alexandra describes the growing tension between open positions in the workplace, employers struggling to find suitable candidates, and young people who are unemployed or underemployed, even after obtaining a four-year degree.
Important influencing factors include:
- Cultural pressures on four-year college enrollment
- Oversupply of graduates for traditional knowledge worker roles
- Rejecting entry-level hiring because of AI
- Persistent discrimination against skilled trades
Meanwhile, industries such as plumbing, carpentry, manufacturing, and technical trades offer strong starting pay, family-friendly wages, job stability, and low risk of automation.
Work-based learning creates a direct link between students and the real need of the workforce.
Why This Matters in the Age of AI
AI automates many entry-level tasks. At the same time, roles that require complex body movements, interpersonal interactions, manual dexterity, and judgment and adaptability are more difficult to change.
Alexandra emphasizes that students who start learning AI and robotics tools early can grow alongside the technology, developing practical integration skills that many experienced workers are still struggling to acquire.
Activity-based learning is not competing with AI. It integrates AI into real workflows from day one.
Employer Advantage: Building a Talent Pipeline
Trusted Talent Pipeline
Instead of competing for scarce, ready-made talent, businesses can bring in students early, train them in company-specific processes, and develop loyalty and cultural fit.
Strong Employer Marketing
Participating businesses are seen as investing in their community, supporting local youth, and creating meaningful employment opportunities.
Improved Employee Engagement
Employees often thrive in supervisory roles. Acting as a mentor increases engagement, develops leadership skills, and strengthens internal culture.
Long Term Storage
Contrary to popular belief, young workers can be loyal when they are offered clear opportunities for growth, meaningful work, and competitive wages.
Many students who start at 16 or 17 on formal programs go on to build full-time jobs with the same employer.
How to Start a Small Business
You don’t need a complicated business plan to get started.
Step 1: Define the result
Ask:
- What skills do we need in the long run?
- What would success look like 2 to 3 years from now?
Step 2: Partner with a School or Program
Build relationships with:
- Local high schools
- Community colleges
- Universities
- Work-based learning links (like GPS Education Partners)
Step 3: Avoid Unplanned Actions for Work-Based Learning
Visits and lectures are helpful, but not enough. Create a structured program with clear skills objectives, defined responsibilities, and a measurable timeline, such as a 10-week paid micro-internship.
Step 4: Use Existing Certificates
Use third-party certification programs to measure skill acquisition, measure progress, and provide recognized insights.
Addressing Concerns: Supervision, Liability, and Compliance
Common problems for employers include:
- Laws for workers, especially children
- Transportation and planning
- Consolidating educational loans
- Insurance and liability
Alexandra recommends working with experienced mediators, especially those familiar with local laws, to avoid reinventing the wheel and ensure compliance.
Measuring Success
Key metrics for evaluating work-based learning efforts include:
- Acquisition of acquired skills and certificates
- The values are maintained after the program
- Conversion to full-time work
- Staff communication between coaches
- Improvement of workforce readiness
Skill development is a very powerful and measurable indicator of success.
Key Takeaways
- The youth employment problem is a heterogeneous problem, not a talent shortage.
- Four-year degrees aren’t the only path to a meaningful, high-paying career.
- AI is reshaping entry-level jobs, increasing the need for a flexible, skill-based workforce.
- Work-based learning builds loyalty, culture, and long-term employee stability.
- Small businesses can start small, but must clearly define results.
- Mentorship benefits existing employees as students.
Best Moments From The Episode
- 00:54 What work-based learning really means
- 02:25 The root of the youth employment problem
- 04:19 Stigma about skilled trades
- 06:31 Human advantage over automation
- 08:45 Real-world success stories from GPS education partners
- 11:41 Why work-based learning builds credibility
- 15:12 Teaching ability is limited
- 19:55 Measuring skill acquisition as a metric of success
- 22:21 Why AI integration should start early
Pulled Quotes
We don’t want random actions for work-based learning.
If you’re small and don’t have brand name recognition, this is how you build your talent pipeline.
It’s just as important to know what you don’t want to do as what you do.
