This brief examines employer demand for and the potential return on investment (ROI) of educational credentials in tech in order to support the design of equitable pathways that lead to quality jobs. Tech degrees consistently have a high ROI, especially in comparison with similar credentials in other industries. But education and workforce leaders…

As the demand for healthcare professionals increases, Latinos are increasing their representation in healthcare positions. Despite their increased representation, Latinos are more likely to be in healthcare support occupations rather than in healthcare management or professional occupation that offer higher salaries. "Excelencia" has…

There are hundreds of local labor markets fuel the American economy, and each one is driven by the needs of the local area's mix of industries and the skills of its workers. For each labor market to operate at its peak potential, these needs and skills must align. Achieving alignment requires local education and training providers to convey…

Across many states, workforce and economic development policies are typically managed by different agencies, funded through different laws and programs, and driven by different priorities and eligibility rules. This arrangement can result in a fragmented workforce and economic development ecosystem that may have negative impacts for workers and…

Does higher education--particularly the public and private nonprofit bachelor's degree--granting sector that has faced the greatest skepticism of late--respond more broadly to shifts in demand for certain types of skills and fields of study? The authors investigate how degree production and course-taking at U.S. undergraduate programs respond to…

This Playbook provides steps in which workforce development boards (WDBs) can blur the lines between high school, postsecondary education, and the workforce. WDBs can play a significant role to Raise the Bar for student success by developing an "education-to-workforce system" focusing on Unlocking Career Success. The three steps detailed…

A paradigm shift toward workforce development is essential to ensure that the future workforce meets the expectations of the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. Both industry and academic communities play different, but essential and complementary roles, which suggests a need for stronger industry-academia collaborations.…

With the continuous innovation of market demands and the increasing complexity of the employment environment, cultivating modern talent capable of adapting to future technological advancements and new economic dynamics has become a global mission that transcends borders. This book explores key topics such as internships, apprenticeship programs,…

This final working paper in The Skills Imperative 2035 project builds on and extends the previous work undertaken, with the focus here being on the supply of skills and looking at the extent to which the skills that individuals possess at the end of education vary according to the pathway they followed through their education system. This paper…

There is a wide gap in America's middle-skills economy. On one side are people searching for economic opportunity, striving to make a good living with hard work, on-the-job experience, and a few years of formal postsecondary education or training. On the other side are employers, who are willing to pay high wages for skilled workers who can fill…

In Chapter 1 I investigate the supply of college majors and how this facet of institutional behavior influences student outcomes and costs in higher education. As a first contribution, I identify a decades-long trend in 4-year postsecondary education in the United States--the production of bachelor's degrees measured by their concentration across…

Youth want workforce policies and programs that reflect their unique needs. If policymakers listen, they will create more inclusive opportunities that benefit communities, local businesses, and youth themselves. Jobs for the Future (JFF) held a series of focus groups with young people ages 16 to 24 focused on their career aspirations and…

Individuals need the shortest path to opportunity and employers require the shortest path to a skilled diverse workforce. To solve for this, Western Governors University (WGU) has created a skills-based architecture to map our competencies and credentials to high-demand knowledge, and technical skills as well as powerful, enduring, employability…

"The Improving the Pipeline for Tennessee's Workforce: Academic Supply for Occupational Demand Report" is the second joint report between the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC), Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD), Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD), and Tennessee…

This playbook provides ways in which business and industry can blur the lines between high school, postsecondary education, and the workforce. Business and industry play a significant role to Raise the Bar for student success by developing an "education-to-workforce system" focusing on Unlocking Career Success.