Skills for an AI-Ready Workforce
This report from the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) outlines a framework to prepare learners of all ages for an AI-integrated economy. Developed by the SREB Commission on Artificial Intelligence in Education, the report emphasizes three interrelated skill areas: success skills such as communication, collaboration, adaptability, and problem-solving; industry baseline skills including AI ethics, cybersecurity, and domain-specific knowledge; and technical skills such as data literacy, programming, machine learning, and generative AI. These skills are organized into a four-level learning progression—awareness, exploration, application, and fluency—that supports learners from foundational understanding to advanced, ethical, and adaptive use of AI tools. The framework is designed to guide K–12 systems, postsecondary institutions, and workforce training programs in embedding AI competencies across disciplines, aligning curricula with labor market needs, and promoting cross-sector collaboration. By integrating these elements, the resource provides leaders with strategies to ensure students and workers are equipped to thrive in technology-rich environments.