Edge Factor

Edge Factor offers industry-focused career exploration video stories to inspire students and job seekers to explore and prepare for new career pathways while showcasing local opportunities.

What This Includes

Skills addressed: Communication, Dependability, Teamwork, Technology Use, Problem Solving, Initiative, Leadership, Lifelong Learning, Self-Awareness

Learner resources

Career exploration videos series describing careers in skilled trades, many using new and emerging technologies
Library of career exploration videos by industry sector, such as IT, construction, and human services
Career profile videos introduce an individual worker who discusses the technical and workplace success skills needed for that career
Virtual workplace tours of manufacturing plants, construction sites, and locations offer information about career opportunities and emerging technologies
Financial literacy series
Virtual reality career exploration series for five industries with 360 videos, 3D models and museum-style rooms

Instructor resources

Dashboard tool to set up classes, assign students to classes, and assign video content to a class or individual students
Pre-/post-class activities, lesson plans with objectives, learning goals, guided practice, and reflection activities for virtual workplace experiences
Quizzes and lesson plans accompany videos that describe the workplace success skills, such as teamwork and communication, needed by sector
Videos showing STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) applications in real world settings, such as manufacturing
Videos of interviews describing overcoming adversity and motivational keynote talks

Workforce development resources

Strategic and action planning process available for workforce regions
Online platform buildout for workforce regions to connect job seekers, students, and parents to local career and educational pathways
Online platform includes a dashboard with local training and educational resources profiles, labor market information, and access to Edge Factor video series

Key Takeaways

Instructors can choose from more than 6,000 videos and activities of workplace experiences to tailor for students’ interests.
Instructors can use the industry insights videos to foster discussion about the workplace success skills, such as communication, teamwork, and attitude, needed for each type of job.
Workforce development agencies can offer job seekers a window into manufacturing careers using the online video series.
Many of the videos are filmed in partnership with companies to showcase new technologies, such as 3-D printing and Injection molding, and a variety of safety content.
Although this is a subscription-based service, free video toolkits, such as the Summer Camp Toolkit, are available for limited periods of time.
Groups can partner with Edge Factor to offer events to reach underrepresented groups using video stories about, for example, Indigenous community members and/or women who have successful careers in the skilled trades.
Communities and schools can host custom virtual or live events with Edge Factor media.

Background

Edge Factor was founded by Jeremy Bout to raise awareness of and change perceptions of manufacturing work. His first film about manufacturing took hold in schools and he established Edge Factor to continue the work. Edge Factor now works with K–12 schools, workforce development organizations, communities, and trade organizations to educate job seekers and students about the variety of careers in skilled trades. The company partners with industry and trade groups, such as the National Electrical Manufacturers Association and Women in Manufacturing, to create and produce media content. Edge Factor also has partnerships with hundreds of companies, including Siemens, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and NBC.

Tags: Adaptability & Flexibility, Communication, Critical & Creative Thinking, Digital Literacy, Emotional Intelligence, Leadership & Initiative, Self-Management, Teamwork & Collaboration, Advising & Coaching Tool, Credentialing & Badging, Audio / Video, Download & Print, Immersive Learning, Online, Technology, Paid Subscription, Adult Education, Older Youth, Workforce Development