Tools and tricks are only half of it. Alongside the hands-on skills, we're building something deeper: true AI literacy — the ability to understand how these tools work, think critically about what they produce, and talk about them clearly and confidently in an interview, in a meeting, or with a client. That distinction matters more than it might seem. The World Economic Forum projects that nearly 40% of workers' core skills will change by 2030, with AI and big data topping the list of the fastest-growing skills employers are looking for. Employer expectations are already shifting to match: one Microsoft study found that roughly two-thirds of leaders now consider AI fluency a non-negotiable when hiring, and workers who bring demonstrated AI skills to the table are commanding meaningfully higher wages than their peers. In other words, the job seekers walking out of CareerCatchers' job clubs with genuine AI confidence aren't just picking up a nice-to-have — they're building exactly the kind of literacy today's employers are actively hiring for.

This partnership reflects what CTIC does best: taking emerging technology and making it approachable, useful, and empowering for the people who need it most. We're proud of the relationship we've built with CareerCatchers and the members of their job clubs, and we look forward to continuing this series together.