Meet The Founder
MIKE JOHNS
About BeSKilled America
BeSkilled America is a national initiative dedicated to empowering individuals with the knowledge and skills to succeed in an AI‑driven world. Founded with the belief that the future of work belongs to those who are prepared for technological change, we bring together education, government, and industry partners to create real pathways to opportunity.
We champion tech‑powered learning that enhances digital literacy, boosts employability, and ensures communities across America are ready for the jobs of tomorrow. Through workshops, strategic collaborations, and public‑private partnerships, BeSkilled America is transforming how people learn, grow, and thrive in the modern workforce.
“President Trump’s vision to create one million apprentices laid the foundation for a stronger, more skilled America. BeSkilled America is proud to build on that legacy — equipping people with the tech-powered skills and opportunities needed to thrive in the AI-driven economy.”
— Mike Johns, Founder, BeSkilled America
As automation and AI reshape every industry, BeSkilled America stands at the forefront of workforce innovation — connecting people to skills, companies to talent, and communities to long-term prosperity.
MIKE JOHNS
BeSkilled Founder
NOLEEN MARIAPPEN
BeSkilled Operations
BRIGADIER GENERAL ARNOLD N. GORDAN - BRAY, USA (RET)
BeSkilled Advisor
JEFF FOLINO
BeSkilled Advisor
Mike Johns is the founder of BeSkilled America and author of Death of a Job, a groundbreaking book examining the fundamental transformation of work in the 21st century.
With over two decades of experience in workforce development and technology innovation, Mike recognized that the traditional employment model was failing both workers and employers. His vision: create a nationwide ecosystem where skills, not credentials, determine opportunity.
His mission is simple: democratize access to high-quality careers in emerging technology by proving that talent exists everywhere4it just needs the right pathways.
The Vision
Empowering every American to master the language of tomorrow. Our vision is a human-centered AI ecosystem where access to literacy unlocks the door to the American promise of wellness and opportunity for everyone, everywhere.
The Mission
To spark cross-sector collective action that honors the rich tapestry of the American spirit. In partnership with Intelligent Internet’s open infrastructure, we aim to guide 50 million people into the AI-enabled workforce by 2050—driving scientific excellence and economic growth through a culture of lifelong learning and human-centered innovation.
Core Pillars
AI Literacy for All
Deliver free and paid training via BeSkilled Academy, powered by Intelligent Internet’s open-source agents like II-Agent and datasets like II-Thought for autonomous workflows in research and content creation.
Certified Talent Pipeline
Offer BeSkilled Certifications validated through Intelligent Internet’s specialized models like II-Medical for AI prompting, ethics, and domain expertise.
Job Matching Ecosystem
Build a BeSkilled Jobs Platform integrating Intelligent Internet’s systems like II-Researcher to connect graduates with AI-ready employers.
Community AI Hubs
Establish local hubs using Intelligent Internet’s Proof-of-Benefit currency to reward contributions in building, teaching, and creating, tied to datacenter investments and community colleges for hands-on AI literacy.
Interactive Learning Tools
Incorporate Intelligent Internet’s open frameworks like Common Ground for transparent, step-by-step AI skill-building and verified value creation across industries.
The Workforce Crisis Is Here
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AI & Machine Learning
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Robotics
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Autonomous Vehicles
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Telecommunications
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Space Technologies
America faces a critical talent shortage in emerging tech sectors. Traditional degree-based hiring can't keep pace with innovation in AI, robotics, autonomous vehicles, space technology, and telecommunications.
The result? Companies struggle to find qualified talent while millions of capable workers remain on the sidelines, overlooked because they lack formal degrees.
Skills Over Degrees: The Future of Work
87% of Executives
Report experiencing skills gaps in their workforce or expect them within the next few years
$8.5 Trillion
Potential economic loss by 2030 due to talent shortages in technology sectors worldwide
62% of Jobs
In emerging tech fields prioritize demonstrable skills over traditional four-year degrees
Proven Partnership
ModelsThat Work
Arizona's AZNext Initiative
The BeSkilled America partnered with state agencies and employers to create pathways for tech talent. This collaboration established apprenticeship programs and skills-based hiring practices that filled critical gaps in in Robotics, Autonomous Vehicles, Space, Creator Economy.
California's Upskilling Success
Introducing
BeSkilled America
Partnerships across all 50 states with workforce development organizations, ommunity colleges, and industry leaders
Specialized pathways for AI, telecommunications, robotics, autonomous vehicles, space tech, and content creation
Why BeSkilled America is Different?
The Value Proposition
6
Months
Our programs prepare candidates for high-tech roles in months, not years, reducing time-to-productivity dramatically
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Cost Savings
Companies reduce hiring and training costs while accessing pre-vetted talent with verified, job-specific skills
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Retention Rate
Skills-based hires show significantly higher retention and performance compared to traditional recruiting methods
BeSkilled America doesn’t just fill positions, we build sustainable talent pipelines that grow with your company’s needs.
Our Partners
