Degreed CEO David Blake Unveils Vision to Revolutionise Education
As part of the Leaps and Bounds Leaders series, our host Hayley Sudbury, CEO and Founder of Werkin, sat down with David Blake, CEO and Co-Founder of Degreed, where he shared insights into the company and its journey. Degreed's mission is nothing short of groundbreaking: to "jailbreak the college degree" and revolutionise the way we view education and lifelong learning.
David Blake emphasised that Degreed's mission is to change the way we think about education and learning. The traditional approach of associating education with a college degree is limiting, and Degreed aims to build a future where everyone can become lifelong learners. The company envisions a world where individuals receive recognition and credit for their skills and knowledge, regardless of how or where they acquired them.
The Journey from B2C to Enterprise Focus
David Blake discussed the journey of Degreed, which started as a B2C (business-to-consumer) company with 70,000 users and US$900,000 in funding. Over time, they transitioned into an enterprise-focused organisation. This shift was driven by the need for individuals to own their learning profiles and data, making it portable across different jobs and employers.
The Role of Skills in the Modern Economy
David highlighted the growing skills gap in the workforce, driven by the rapid advancement of technology. Organisations are feeling the pressure to ensure their employees have the right skills. Degreed is at the forefront of this skills-based revolution, building a layer on top of the skills ecosystem to help individuals and organisations identify, develop, and transact on skills effectively.
The Impact of AI in Transforming Learning and Upskilling
Artificial intelligence plays a crucial role in the skills-based economy. AI allows for the efficient identification and assessment of skills, helping individuals match their capabilities with job requirements. It enables the distillation of complex learning experiences into actionable data that can be used to make informed decisions about upskilling.
Meeting Learners Where They Are
David Blake discussed Degreed's approach to meet learners where they are in their upskilling journey. Whether individuals are seeking exposure to new fields, learning new knowledge, or undergoing significant upskilling in entirely new domains, Degreed offers a comprehensive platform to support their growth.
The Importance of Mentoring
In response to questions about mentoring, David Blake credited Anne Dwane, the CEO of the first startup he joined, as a pivotal mentor who shaped his views on entrepreneurship. He emphasised the importance of sharing knowledge and experiences with others, both as a mentor and mentee, and how mentoring has been instrumental in his own career.
David Blake's Superpower
David Blake shared his "superpower" of being fully present wherever he is. He stressed the importance of focusing on the task at hand and being fully engaged, even in a world filled with distractions.
This exclusive interview with David Blake sheds light on Degreed's mission, its role in the skills-based economy, and the impact of AI and mentoring in shaping the future of education and upskilling.
Watch the full interview here:
About Degreed: Degreed is a leading platform for skills-based learning and development. The company's mission is to "jailbreak the college degree" and empower individuals and organisations to recognise and develop skills that matter in the modern workforce. Degreed's innovative platform enables lifelong learning, skills assessment, and upskilling to bridge the skills gap in today's rapidly changing world of work.
About WERKIN Leaps and Bounds Leaders Series: The WERKIN Leaps and Bounds Leaders Series is a platform that brings together executives and founders to discuss leadership, innovation, and trends in various industries. Through insightful interviews, the series aims to inspire meaningful change and growth within organisations.
For media inquiries, please contact: Sachaa Pattison, Head of Communications sachaa.pattison@getwerkin.com