Penn Foster, Roadtrip Nation and Strada Education Network Introduce "Skills Forward Roadtrip" at 2017 ASU + GSV Summit

SALT LAKE CITY, UT--(Marketwired - May 09, 2017) - Penn Foster, Roadtrip Nation and Strada Education Network together at the 2017 ASU GSV Summit will introduce the Skills Forward Roadtrip, underscoring their commitment to address the acute shortage of skilled trades talent costing the U.S. economy billions each year. The Summit has assembled a group of CEOs from more than 400 of the world's most important enterprise learning and talent companies to discuss education and technology innovations.

As part of the Growth Company Presentations on Wednesday, May 10, Penn Foster CEO Frank Britt will share Penn Foster's work in addressing this skills challenge through building bridges between local and national organizations to improve worker employability and workforce effectiveness. Britt will discuss Penn Foster's unique business strategy, built from a foundational direct-to-consumer model, designed to connect the dots to help workforce development organizations achieve the greatest impact possible.

"Amidst the backdrop of a large, complex, and fragmented workforce development system, Penn Foster has evolved to become a partnership enablement company focused on employment outcomes," Britt said. "At the ASU GSV Summit, we're calling on all stakeholders invested in moving the needle with education and technology innovation to help us lead the charge towards a connected workforce development ecosystem."

To further propel this agenda, Britt will introduce a new partnership effort with Roadtrip Nation, a Strada Education Network company. In an effort to expand the pipeline of qualified talent entering the field of skilled trades, these organizations have teamed up to offer the Skills Forward Roadtrip, an immersive career exploration experience in which individuals who are engaged in vocational training -- or are interested in pursuing it -- will be selected to participate in a filmed journey to interview professionals who have found career success in a wide variety of trades.

"Our aim is to to inspire and motivate the next generation of job-seekers," said Mike Marriner, co-founder of Roadtrip Nation. "Penn Foster is such a great organization to partner with because their mission to reinvigorate the skills economy is so important, and through our combined efforts with Strada Education Network, I am confident we will produce some inspiring content."

The content captured on the trip will be turned into a documentary to air on public television, empowering millions of TV viewers to see the value in developing practical, job-ready skills that can help them achieve their dreams. Content from the Skills Forward Roadtrip will broadcast in Fall 2018.

"We're extremely excited to announce our new collaboration with Roadtrip Nation," continued Britt. "Through innovative initiatives like this, we can build a lot of energy in new and exciting ways. The skills economy must evolve, and we're here to help ignite new partnerships and energy to push us forward."

Britt will speak at the ASU+GSV Summit on May 10 during the Growth/Venture Track in the Olympus Room of the Little America Hotel at 3 p.m. MDT.

About Penn Foster

Students, employers and partner organizations rely on Penn Foster to build the skills and knowledge to power the 21st century workforce. For over 125 years, Penn Foster has been dedicated to helping people lead more meaningful and productive lives and to improving social outcomes through education. Penn Foster provides career pathways for opportunity youth and adult learners through diverse and affordable online diploma, certificate and degree programs, offered via its high school, career school and college. With more than 30,000 graduates each year, Penn Foster's online and blended learning programs are delivered in a self-paced, competency-based model wrapped by comprehensive academic, professional and personal support and coaching. For more information, visit http://partners.pennfoster.edu/.

About Roadtrip Nation

Roadtrip Nation, renowned for its New York Times best-selling book, award-winning documentary television series and films, and acclaimed project-based learning curriculum, is a career exploration organization that creates resources that empower individuals to pursue fulfilling careers. Combining self-reflection with real-world exposure, Roadtrip Nation's tools enable individuals to connect their interests to compatible life pathways and find meaningful work. For more information, visit roadtripnation.com and roadtripnation.org.

About Strada Education Network

Strada Education Network is a new kind of nonprofit organization that takes a fresh approach to addressing -- and solving -- critical higher education and workforce challenges. We advance our guiding principle, Completion with a Purpose®, through a unique combination of strategic philanthropy, research and insights, and innovative solutions to improve the college-to-career pathway. Visit us at www.stradaeducation.org and follow us on Twitter @StradaEducation.