Josh Davies
Keynote: Wednesday, April 9
Building Work Ethic in the AI Age: 5 Strategies to Develop Essential Soft Skills
Artificial Intelligence is and will continue to change the workplace as we know it. Millions of jobs are being lost as others have been radically transformed. While technical skills are still important, the biggest concern employers have is the diminishing work ethic of the emerging workforce. Nearly 9 out of 10 hiring managers in North America report that the lack of these soft skills are THE most important factor in their hiring, and yet less than 20% of today’s employees demonstrate these crucial work behaviors on a consistent basis. Even more alarming is that most, if not all, of an employee’s on-the-job training is focused on their technical skills. But there is a viable solution to the growing skills gap that can improve the employment outcomes for students, job seekers, and event existing employees. Learn how to become intentional about developing these critical skills and preparing our workforce with the high-touch skills they need in the coming high-tech, AI Age!
Biography
Josh Davies is passionate about helping others make a difference in their lives, jobs, and community. His engaging and connecting speaking style combined with relevant content make him an in-demand speaker across North America, the Middle East, and Asia. With more than 20 years of experience and research, Mr. Davies is able to take complex concepts into simple solutions for daily execution. His work has been recognized across industries, from the 2023 Postsecondary Visionary Award from the Association of Career and Technical Educators to the 2022 H.G. Weisman Award by the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals and the 2022 Spirit of CHART Award by the Council of Hotel and Restaurant Trainers for his commitment to the hospitality industry.
In addition to his speaking career, Josh has also been engaged in local, national and international efforts to advocate for and drive awareness around workforce issues. From starring in the documentary After Work, directed by international award-winning director Erik Gandini, to serving on multiple non-profit boards and commissions. He currently serves on the Colorado State Rehabilitation Council and has finished serving his second term on the Executive Board of the Colorado Workforce Development Council, where he chaired the State Education and Training Steering Committee. He also led the P-Tech Selection Committee for Colorado and served on the board of the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative. In addition to his work in the public sector, Josh also served on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals, was President of the Council of Hotel and Restaurant Trainers (CHART) and co-chaired the Colorado State Youth Council.