The R3X Continuous Learning Model defines a solution for building a fluid, flexible, on demand workforce, easily able to flow in and out of standardized skills and positions, across all platforms.
(To read more about our Workforce 4.0 solutions, click here.)
The Challenge
Across private industry, government and the military, a cry for a 21st century workforce has gone out. A real fear exists that frontier technologies are advancing so rapidly, we won’t have a qualified workforce to harness them.
The demands and expectations of the workforce have changed. The 21st century workforce demands a transparent corporate culture and expects workplace synergy. No longer is there an expectation of starting a job as a high school or college graduate and staying with that job throughout a working lifetime. These expectations and the advancements of frontier technologies have left industry, government and the military scrambling to find solutions.
Today’s workforce model is chasing Frontier Technologies (Ft). It’s like trying to fly a rocket on a string. 
The Solution
The R3X (pronounced “ReX”) Continuous Learning Model is designed in support of Reimagine, Rethink, Reform and Explore, the Government Effectiveness Advanced Research (G.E.A.R) center initiative, a public private partnership of the Federal government to improve mission delivery, citizen services and stewardship of public resources.
R3X = the three “R’s” of the G.E.A.R initiative – Reimagine + Rethink + Reform + Explore.
Reimagine with the R3X Continuous Learning Model.
Frontier technologies and the R3X Continuous Learning Model launch a transformative process that re-imagines how to leverage existing data and make it relevant for a 21st century workforce.
STEP 1: Build a relational database, hosted on a cloud application, using existing data attributes.
Attributes: Job descriptions, performance metrics, advancement protocols, education requirements and salary range data are documented for government, military and private industry:
1. Government GS Classifications GS1-GS15
2. Military Occupational Classification by branch of service
3. Private Industry 2018 Standard Occupational Classifications (SOC) codes
By using Big Data and Data/Funnel Analytics, standardization across platforms produces baseline workforce criteria for performance, education, skill sets and advancement, compiled in a relational database, accessible via the cloud application.
STEP 2: Add soft skill data attributes to the relational database/cloud application.
From O*NET online, already matched to Private Industry SOC codes. O*NET, the Occupational Information Network, is a standardized database of almost 1,000 occupations in the United States economy. This database was developed under the sponsorship of the United States Department of Labor/Employment and Training (USDOL/ETA) through a grant to the North Carolina Department of Commerce.
Attributes: ONET has also categorized groups of soft skills, matched to each SOC code.
1. Abilities
2. Interests
3. Knowledge
4. Skills
5. Work Activities
6. Work Context
7. Work Styles
8. Work Values
By using Big Data and Data/Funnel Analytics, a crosswalk to soft skill attributes is added to our relational database/cloud application. These soft skill attributes, based on private industry SOC codes, are then extrapolated across Government & Military classifications.
Now you have a relational database/cloud application that contains hard criteria and soft skill definitions for each job classification, skill set and educational criteria across the platforms of government, military and private industry.
STEP 3 Build a Graphical User Interface (GUI), using machine learning protocols, that walks learners through a series of questions that helps them determine their interests and what kind of careers they can explore.
The new interface is user based and user friendly. Learners can personalize the interface by color, by design, and progressively, by layers of complexity. The interface itself LEARNS from the user and becomes a collaborative digital ally in personalizing the user’s career path journey.
R3X engages each user individually, incorporating behavioral practices into the learning model. These behavioral practices, often defined as Social Cognitive Theory, define where learning occurs within the confines of behavioral factors, environmental factors (external) and personal factors (internal).
Additionally, R3X incorporates The Essential Fluencies, as defined by Global Digital Citizen organization. The Fluencies help learners build super human power solving skills, use critical thinking skills to find meaning in massive flows of information, and understand the power of working as a collaborative team.
Throughout this paper, you will find numerous references to existing data attributes and current thought methodologies. The R3X model for a 21st century workforce understands that we need to take information we already have and find new and creative ways to make that information work for us! R3X builds creativity into each individual user, while staying true to industry, government and military goals.
Rethink with the R3X Continuous Learning Model.
R3X allows employers and employees to rethink best practices for building and sustaining a diverse and inclusive 21st century workforce. The new model builds “work and learn”, as a strategic and critical aspect of the continuous learner, allowing all learners to incorporate growth and knowledge pathways into current and future work opportunities, both individually and as part of the greater whole. As learners choose and learn new skills, they can easily transition back and forth from student – to skilled – to subject matter experts within each industry and/or skillset.
R3X LEVELS: Student ***** Skilled ***** Subject Matter Expert
STUDENT LEVEL
This level corresponds to beginner and/or basic levels. Initially, all learners will enter the interface via the STUDENT level and complete training exercises based on the hard data from their job classification and the soft skill data that corresponds to it.
R3X helps each learner create a career path journey on a digital road map, where R3X is both a partner and a digital ally. R3X allows learners to play interactive games, solve problems, and ask for help from a supportive forum. This learning model builds new learners and allows current learners to refresh and modernize their skills, matching them to opportunities.
SKILLED LEVEL
This level corresponds to intermediate levels. In this level, the user hones skill sets based on the training exercises completed in the STUDENT level. This level also begins a career matchmaking sequence based on the data from the STUDENT level and directs the learner towards a tailored training pathway to achieve career goals.
This level also builds mentoring, conflict management and leadership skills. SKILLED level learners supervise teams of STUDENT level learners and can collaborate with them via the interface/application, monitor progress and provide feedback. In this level, supervisors, managers and directors become mentors and coaches, integrating seamlessly along the pathway of continuous learning.
SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT (SME)
This level corresponds to advanced levels. In this level, the SKILLED user becomes an SME in their job classification and defined social skill sets. They can also become experts of the interface application, analyzing data and making recommendations for improvements. These SME’s will collaborate with the interface application design team to ensure that the database becomes a true machine learning tool. Eventually, the interface/cloud application will allow artificial intelligence and digital twin processes to improve performance for learners, educators and institutions in the continuous learning model.
Reform with the R3X Continuous Learning Model.
R3X is a teaching, e-learning and an m-learning model. R3X allows educators and institutions to both enhance in-person classroom learning environments, and expand learning accessibility to anytime and anywhere, via any device. R3X customizes fields of study and learning paths based on each learner’s current occupation and future opportunities. This work and learn methodology is especially apropos for “hands-on” learning skills and competencies and is one of the keys to success for “on the job” training methods, including apprenticeships.
By leveraging educational technologies (EDTech), R3X allows educators and institutions to build customized and personal learning solutions for each learner, built with the power of data. R3X is customized, within the framework, for each learner, based on the information the learner provides, R3X helps removes the standardized educational practices that have plagued non-traditional students and communities. R3X has no pre-conceived notions or barriers to learner’s success, including gender, social class, race et al. This non-existence of barriers encourages non- traditional and traditional students into career pathways based on personal interests and capabilities, thus ensuring a more successful career path for both the learner and the prospective employer. This non-prejudicial learning model builds a pathway for each learner based on a series of rewards tied to completion of each exercise. Since each learner defines their own goals and wish list of achievements, the cycle of positive reinforcement occurs organically throughout each learning level.
R3X also allows learners the capability of passporting their journey to new jobs, new classifications and new industries. Using blockchain ledger accuracy, learners, educators and institutions would be assured of the highest levels of compliance, privacy and security standards.
R3X would allow standardized learner data to be confidentially collected, stored and shared across the platforms of private industry, government and the military. This data can then be analyzed and studied for further improvements in the learning modules.
The future of learning is here! R3X allows learners, educators and institutions to move beyond the boundaries of what is, to the power of what can be….
Explore with the R3X Continuous Learning Model.
As frontier and educational technologies evolve, R3X is built to learn and evolve with them. R3X is built for process transparency and study, encouraging participation, engagement and creativity as deep as any learner, educator or institution can imagine.
Educators and institutions have been unable to solve the problem of equal access to quality education across gender, social class and race. As R3X learns these unique perspectives, the capability exists for all learners to have an equal education, regardless of any social factor.
21st century workforce problems are complex and pressing. R3X provides a real time solution, fostering the evolution of the continuous learner mindset.
R3X Workflow
This idea has been submitted for the National Science Foundation Career Compass Challenge. Click here for more information on this challenge. (Please follow a responsible access policy for links.)