Skills-Based Hiring

According to iCIMS (provider of talent acquisition software), talent acquisition is the process of finding, attracting and engaging highly talented individuals and having them join an organization. It includes…

According to iCIMS (provider of talent acquisition software), embracing a data-driven recruitment process makes it possible to find and keep top talent at your company, especially when you incorporate the…

Refers to the strategic practice in which large human capital management (HCM) or human resources (HR) technology platforms acquire AI-driven recruiting and conversational platforms—such as chatbots…

According to iCIMS (provider of talent acquisition software), recruitment metrics are a measurement of the effectiveness of your recruiting process. Organizations can use these data to benchmark how their…

Incremental credentials, frequently known as microcredentials, are an evolving concept in postsecondary education and training. Less comprehensive than a degree, they represent the attainment of a specific…

According to iCIMS (provider of talent acquisition software), recruitment is the process of finding and screening qualified candidates for a specific position and offering the position to the best candidate…

According to iCIMS (provider of talent acquisition software), any software application that facilitates chat or text messaging engagement during the recruitment process. A recruiting chat software application…

According to iCIMS (provider of talent acquisition software), recruiting operations optimizes the process of talent acquisition. Recruiting operations is most often a role inhabited by a single person, but at…

Skills are increasingly viewed as a valuable currency for employers to consider when managing talent. To better understand and leverage talent pools, it is important for employers to identify the skills needed…

Refers to the way specific skills are distributed among individuals or groups within a workforce or society. It helps identify who has what skills, where skills are concentrated or lacking, and how these align…

As described by LinkedIn, refers to the 39,000+ skills that are sourced from LinkedIn's more than 800,000 million members globally (skills explicitly listed on member profiles or inferred from other aspects of…

As used by the Federal Reserve Banks of Philadelphia and Cleveland in the “Occupational Mobility Explorer tool,” pairs of occupations can be classified as having a high, medium, or low-skill similarity based…

According to iCIMS (provider of talent acquisition software), AI recruiting is the use of artificial intelligence to streamline and re-automate the recruitment process. AI and machine learning can be used to…

A strategic approach in talent acquisition where employers actively seek, initiate communication with, and engage potential candidates, especially those not actively applying to posted jobs, before a role…

The skills ecosystem is a term popularized with the advent of skills-based hiring. Skills-based hiring is hiring for skills required for a particular job role. Employers are trying to match their existing…

A liberal arts degree is a bachelor's degree earned in certain liberal arts majors in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and fine arts. A liberal arts degree does not typically focus on a…

The term, new-collar workers, was introduced by the CEO of IBM in 2016, to refer to "middle-skill" occupations in technology, such as cybersecurity analysts, application developers, and cloud computing…

Refers to the invisible barrier that often faces workers without a bachelor's degree. Opportunity@Work notes that the paper ceiling holds back more than 70 million workers who are STARs (Skilled Through…

A model in which there is no dedicated central entity that coordinates the identification or the cultivation of new talent for state organizations. Each state agency is responsible for recruiting and hiring…

Enhances the traditional resume by bridging the divide between employer hiring systems and Learning and Employment Records (LERs), enabling the use of LERS when applying for jobs and in employee advancement…

Refers to the system used by the U.S. military to classify and identify specific job roles and skills within the armed forces. Each MOS code corresponds to a particular job or specialty, such as infantry…

Refers to the essential competencies that employees need to perform effectively in their jobs. Core skills individuals need to navigate and succeed in the workplace commonly include communication, teamwork…

In the learn-and-work ecosystem, refers to short-term, specialized and intensive training focused on technical skills, often in the Information Technology (IT) sector (for example, Coder, Web Developer…

There are a number of titles that speak to how the certificate was earned: Certificate of Achievement Certificate of Participation Certificate of Completion Assessment-based Certificate Course Completion…

Fake jobs or ghost jobs are job postings that remain publicly advertised even though an employer is not actively hiring for the position, does not intend to fill the position in the near term, or is using the…

The probability that individuals will keep their job. Key factors that can threaten job security include outsourcing, global hiring, downsizing, economic recession, and technologies impacting job tasks.

Refers to workers who return to their former employers after leaving their jobs. Key benefits of this practice include (1) employees can return to work without much onboarding or training, and (2) recruiters…

According to iCIMS (provider of talent acquisition software), text recruiting software uses SMS, chat, and AI across multiple platforms to engage with candidates at scale. All communications are housed within…

Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is an all-in-one human resource (HR) software that automates the hiring process. It helps HR teams manage every part of recruitment (from job posting to onboarding): (1) stores…

A measurable, assessable capability of an individual that integrates knowledge, skills, abilities, and dispositions required to successfully perform tasks at a determined level in a defined setting.

Competency-based programs transparently communicate the learning objectives students must achieve to earn degrees and other credentials; enable students with existing knowledge and skills to personalize their…

Concurrent or dual enrollment means taking college courses while still in high school. Dual-enrollment courses are taught by college-approved high school teachers in a secondary education environment. Students…

A digital badge (aka e-badge) is a digital representations of individuals’ achievements, consisting of an image and metadata uniquely linked to the individual’s skills. Digital badges have an issuer…

The learn-and-work ecosystem is a connected system of formal and informal learning (education and training) and work. The ecosystem is composed of many building blocks. The Learn & Work Ecosystem Library…

Skills define specific learned activities, and they range widely in terms of complexity. Knowing which skills a person possesses helps to determine whether their training and experience has prepared them for a…

Some private and public sector employers are adopting internal Pay for Skills programs. A key element of these programs is to incentivize skill development among employees through internal training. Such…

Comprehensive digital records of an individual’s skills, competencies, credentials, and employment history that may be able to show a complete picture of an individual’s education and work experiences. They…

A centralized and structured compiling of skills data, qualifications, and attributes that helps to create a unified understanding of skills for an organization in areas of employment need, curriculum…

An inclusive term that encompasses many types of learners; for example, those taking part in the educational process whether a degree program or microcredential. Learners acquire new competencies and skills as…

A system of classification that categorizes and organizes skills into groups or skill clusters. The process of developing a skills taxonomy involves identifying the skills and competencies required for a…

Open-source library of 32,000+ skills gathered from hundreds of millions of online job postings, profiles, and resumes—updated every two weeks. The Skills Taxonomy collects real-time data from over 40,000…

A structure that allows organizations to develop strategy on how to acquire necessary skills required across job roles. It provides key sector information, occupations/job roles, and the required existing and…

Developed in 2012 with funding from the U.S. Department of Education to advance a unifying set of employability skills, the Employability Skills Framework details a set of nine key skills that are organized in…

Are a new way of looking at the labor market than occupational classifications or degree qualifications, as described by the National Skills Commission of the Australian Government. Skills clusters contain…

Digital skills are the abilities to use technology including computer software and applications, digital devices (cell phones, tablets, computers), and other computer hardware. Digital literacy skills enable…

A detailed, machine-readable, standardized representation of skills used in education and in employer hiring processes. RSDs allow educational institutions to design curricula aligned with employer needs to…

Competency-based learning, or competency-based education, often abbreviated as CBE, is a framework for instruction and assessment focused on students demonstrating defined learning objectives or competencies…

Refer to interest-free (zero-interest) working capital loans for training providers that enable support for wraparound services and other services. An example is the Colorado Pay It Forward Fund, operated by…

A skill set refers to the various types of abilities and knowledge that allows someone to successfully perform a job or accomplish specific tasks. A person’s skill set may include specific technical skills as…

The process of gaining new skills or knowledge, particularly in the context of adapting to economic and technological changes in the workplace. Upskilling can be achieved through traditional education…

The process of acquiring new skills or knowledge, particularly in the context of transitioning into a new career or vocation. The term is often associated with a career transition or employment training…

A comprehensive repository that bridges the worlds of education and employment by capturing an individual's formal and informal educational experiences, professional development achievements, soft skills, and…

Refer to an essential combination of 21st century skills also commonly known as soft skills, human skills, or power skills. The term emphasizes the lasting value and universal applicability of these skills…

Skills profiling is a way to measure an individual’s strengths and is often used to track career progression and communicate the skills an individual possesses to employers. Companies also use profiling tools…

The process of evaluating or measuring an individual's skills, knowledge, or performance against predetermined criteria or standards. Assessment gathers information about what someone knows, understands, or…

Refers to the practice of hiring individuals with a criminal record (arrest or conviction records). Second chance programs provide employment opportunities to individuals with a criminal record, supporting…

Refers to the practice of employers using degree requirements to screen out otherwise qualified candidates in pursuit of hiring efficiencies.

Describes essential characteristics required for a given job, to include the level of education and training required; field of education and training required; and other requirements in terms of knowledge…

Middle skills jobs require more than a high school diploma but less than a four-year college degree and pay over $15 per hour. Jobs that currently require only a high school diploma are projected to experience…

Refers to the selection and hiring of employees who will bring diverse perspectives and specialized skills to an employer, often filling gaps in existing staff competencies and creating opportunities for…

In the learn-and-work ecosystem, a three-part framework used to promote the fair treatment and full participation of all people, especially groups historically underrepresented or subject to discrimination on…

Refers to a trend that the skilled trades are newly appealing to the youngest generation of American workers (often called “Gen-Z”), many of whom are skipping a traditional college path after high school…

Refers to careers that require experience-based skills and knowledge. They typically rely on on-the-job training programs and apprenticeships to teach entry-level professionals how to succeed in their trade…

Refers to tools or methods some companies use to assess the skills and abilities of prospective and current employees for hiring, promotion, training, and/or talent development decisions. A 2018 report…

opportunity@work defines STARS as individuals who may not have a four-year college degree but possess the skills for higher-wage work. They are typically at least 25 years old, active in the workforce, and…

Refers to the systemic overrepresentation or underrepresentation of particular demographic groups in an occupation or field of employment. Demographic groups include racial/ethnic groups, immigrants…

Refers to individuals who work independently (self-employed), offering services to clients on a project-by-project basis. Freelancers are paid for their knowledge or expertise in fields such as writing…

According to the AACRAO Higher Ed Glossary, a project-and-skills-based educational program. Once competency is demonstrated, a learner is issued a type of recognition of learning, affirming mastery of skills.

Refers to groups of the population that have historically held a smaller percentage of professional roles within a field or higher education institution as compared to the percentage of that group in the…

A term coined by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching in its work to help more students successfully complete math pathways. It describes the situation in which students persist in their…

As described by U.S. Department of Labor Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), U.S. Department of Labor Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS), U.S. Department of Justice Civil…

As described by U.S. Department of Labor Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), U.S. Department of Labor Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS), U.S. Department of Justice Civil…

Refers to a job market in which hiring and layoffs have slowed and resignations are down (also referred to as a no-hire, no-fire market), resulting in less churn in the market.

Refers to the multilingual classification of European Skills, Competences, Qualifications and Occupations. The classification identifies and categorizes skills, competences, qualifications, and occupations…

Future Forward Institute developed the Win-Win Workplace Framework to redefine the employer-employee relationship around a set of tools that CEOs, C-Suite leaders, small business owners, managers, and…

Refers to the process of identifying, validating, and formally acknowledging an individual’s knowledge and abilities regardless of how or where they were acquired. The process involves examining specific…

Skills identification, validation, and acknowledgment are components of a skills recognition system. Identifying skills figures out what specific skills an individual has based on evidence which typically…

A new approach to hiring and workplace diversity is gaining traction across corporate America, challenging DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) initiatives. The emerging movement advocates for MEI (merit…

As described by Skillable, skill validation (also called validated learning) refers to the process of assessing, verifying, and documenting an individual’s competencies in a specific area. Learners demonstrate…

The public service arm of U.S. land-grant colleges and universities that puts research into practical use in local communities. The Extension Service was established in 1914 through the Smith-Lever Act (7…

Refer to the practice of companies agreeing not to recruit or hire each other’s employees. No-poaching agreements may unfairly treat low-wage workers by keeping them locked in low-paying jobs without…

Catfishing by employers: when employees report that the position did not match what was described during the hiring process or the job had more responsibilities than anticipated. This can include: the role did…

A resource, framework, or playbook that helps organizations gather, analyze, and apply labor market data to inform workforce and hiring strategies. These guides are commonly used by HR professionals, education…

According to iCIMS (provider of talent acquisition software), candidate relationship management (CRM) software helps employers connect with current and future job candidates to help fill positions faster. CRM…

According to iCIMS (provider of talent acquisition software), cost per hire is a key recruiting metric that calculates how much a company spends to fill an open position. It helps talent acquisition leaders…

According to iCIMS (provider of talent acquisition software), a custom career site is a proprietary website that lists your job openings in an intuitive and appealing way, encouraging visiting candidates to…

According to iCIMS (provider of talent acquisition software), a contingent workforce, or contracted employees, is a workforce that does not have an ongoing contract with a company. The types of contingent…

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is a U.S. government agency that enforces laws against workplace discrimination. It makes sure that people are treated fairly at work, regardless of their…

Internal recruiting is the process of filling open job positions in an organization by hiring from within an existing workforce. Some companies allow their employees to apply to open positions alongside…

I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) is a form used by the Federal government to verify the identity and eligibility status of all workers in the U.S. Some states mandate that this form be completed…

OFCCP Compliance is the Internet Applicant final rule, issued by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs. It addresses recordkeeping by Federal contractors and subcontractors about the Internet…

According to iCIMS (provider of talent acquisition software), E-Verify is a web-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration. It…

According to iCIMS (provider of talent acquisition software), offer management software eliminates manual, error-prone processes to get offer letters out to candidates faster. Branded templates and…

According to iCIMS (provider of talent acquisition software), onboarding software streamlines the onboarding process by replacing handwritten forms with online documents, including Employment Eligibility…

According to iCIMS (provider of talent acquisition software), screening is the process of testing an applicant on their trustworthiness, skills and personality to ensure that they are a good fit for the…

According to iCIMS (provider of talent acquisition software), sourcing is the ability to identify and classify candidates by skill and experience level, and then allocate them to open positions based on these…

According to iCIMS (provider of talent acquisition software), Strategic Workforce Planning is the process of aligning your talent strategy with long-term business goals. It’s about anticipating workforce…

According to iCIMS (provider of talent acquisition software), for talent acquisition teams, full cycle recruiting offers an end-to-end hiring process that delivers results, without frustrating candidates or…

According to iCIMS (provider of talent acquisition software), talent pipeline is a pathway between job seekers and employers. Organizations build a talent pipeline to create a supply of candidates it can…

According to iCIMS (provider of talent acquisition software), video interviewing refers to an interviewing style which takes place remotely using digital video technology. Video interviews can be two-way…

According to iCIMS (provider of talent acquisition software), is a scheduled online event hosted on a single online channel that’s designed to connect large groups of candidates with recruiters. Candidates and…

The process of reshaping and developing individual or workforce skills, capabilities, and mindsets to adapt to evolving organizational, technological, and labor market demands. Talent transformation often…

Refers to the movement and application of skills, knowledge, and competencies across roles, industry sectors, academic disciplines, or organizations at a comparable level of responsibility or seniority…

Governor Executive Orders are formal directives issued by the governor of a U.S. state to direct the operations of state government. These orders carry the force of law unless overturned by legislation or…

A term often used in state talent development processes. It refers to the process of generating awareness of career pathways that lead to state employment—and providing the mechanisms for individuals to attain…

For many decades, the traditional path to careers has been linear: go to school, earn a degree, get a job, and climb the career success ladder. The linear approach has generally been viewed as the safest path…

Refers to knowledge, competencies, and experiences that have been formally assessed and verified by a trusted source—such as an educator, employer, credentialing organization, or digital platform—to meet…

The Connecting Credentials Framework is a conceptual framework designed to make the decentralized U.S. credentialing system more coherent and transparent (the U.S. does not have a National Qualifications…

Refers to structured routes that connect entry into a job by adult learners and workers, often through skills-based hiring that can open pathways to better paying entry-level roles for workers without a…

A job description explains the tasks, duties, functions, and responsibilities of a position. The description details the purpose of the work as it relates to the organization’s mission and goals, designates who

Workforce Development Boards (WDBs)—also referred to as workforce boards—are federally mandated under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and operate at both state and local levels. Composed of…

A number of organizations and media-focused initiatives inform the public about the learn-and-work ecosystem. Communications must be clear about the learning that various credentials represent as integration…

The learn-and-work ecosystem is increasingly shaped by organizations that join forces to address shared challenges and advance common goals. In this landscape, no single institution can meet the demands of…

Qualifications frameworks (QFs) refer to the structures designed at the national, regional (groups of nations), and/or international levels to guide planning, implementation, and maintenance of education and…

Shared governance is a collaborative approach to decision-making in which multiple stakeholders—including educators, administrators, employees, and sometimes students or external partners— work together to…

In the policy arena, Governor Executive Orders (EOs) are formal directives issued by the governor of a U.S. state to direct the operations of state government. These orders can establish policies, create…

The development of digital tools for storing and verifying academic and professional achievements, as well as digital identification systems, is growing both in the United States and globally. These tools are…

In an era when information appears to be everywhere, there is the perception that all information is just a click away. However, there is much (and a growing amount of) information that is "gated"— restricted…

In the emerging learn-and-learn economy — where individuals must move fluidly between work, learning, and upskilling—digital employee experience (DEX) is increasingly important. DEX is defined as the overall…

As the nature of work evolves amid technological, economic, and demographic changes, U.S. colleges and universities have been increasingly innovating to prepare learners for lifelong employability and…

Skills and competencies are learned and applied abilities and knowledge. They show that individuals can use their abilities and knowledge effectively in the workplace. Competencies are observable behaviors that

In June 2024, ETS and SHRM announced their initiative to develop a Skills-Based Talent Ecosystem. The initiative focuses on three talent-specific elements that are important to addressing the future of work…

Led by the Connecticut Office of Workforce Strategy and funded by SkillsFWD, this project is expanding and improving the state's skills-based hiring ecosystem by leveraging Learning and Employment Records…

Arizona State University (ASU) is transforming student employment into a skills-based career-building program through its Work-Integrated Learning initiative. The program, funded by SkillsFWD and announced…

In October 2023, Jobs for the Future (JFF) published Skills-Based Practices: An Employer Journey Map - Maturity Diagnostic and Readiness Assessment. The document is a one-stop guide to help business leaders…

In October 2024, Education Design Lab published the Skills Validation Guidebook. Supported by a grant from Walmart, the guidebook offers technical guidance for instructional designers and others designing tools

Launched in 2025, Skills Scoop is a free newsletter designed to focus on skills-based hiring and career mobility. The aim of the online platform, Skills Scoop is to help organizations celebrate and elevate…

In 2023, the Program on Skills, Credentials & Workforce Policy at the George Washington University launched a project to help learners, educators, and employers share trusted and mutually intelligible…

Introduced in 2024, SkillsAware is an AI-powered skills recognition engine founded on the Australian training system. Its skills platform and services enable employers to identify the skill sets that workers…

Skillful, originally a nonprofit initiative of the Markle Foundation, was designed in 2013 and launched in 2016 to focus on a skills-first model to create greater economic mobility and opportunity. To reduce…

In April 2024, the Competency-Based Education Network (C-BEN) launched the Center for Skills by C-BEN (the Center). Supported by a $1.5 million grant from Walmart, the Center is creating and implementing ways…

SkillsFWD is an initiative to catalyze a more equitable skills-based hiring ecosystem leveraging Learning and Employment Records (LERs). The initiative is managed by Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors. On…

Launched in 2020, the Unmudl Skills-to-Jobs® Marketplace is a national education-to-employment marketplace operated by Unmudl Public Benefit Corp. It connects working learners and career seekers with short-term

As the digital transformation of the talent marketplace continues, there is a need for a scalable and trusted way to validate skills with employers. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation launched JobSIDE…

In 2022, CAEL received a $15.7 million grant under Truist Foundation's Where It Starts initiative. Through this partnership, CAEL is leading Build Better Careers, a 6-year national initiative to put underserved

A project of the Workforce Development Board of Central Ohio, funded by SkillsFWD and announced in December 2023, this initiative leverages the SchooLinks college and career readiness platform to match…

The technology innovation team behind SkillsEngine is based in Austin, Texas. The team builds data-driven solutions to connect the worlds of learning and work through a unified skills language. Its mission is…

In April 2024, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the SHRM Foundation announced that its new Center for a Skills First Futures (SFF) would launch in Spring 2025. The goal of SFF is to…

The State of Washington's Career Bridge is a public-facing, online resource that students and transitioning workers use to support career and education planning. It is designed to work as a one-stop shop…

: The HR Open Standards Consortium has developed the Resumé/CV Project, a crucial data exchange standard designed to streamline the communication of individual qualifications within the recruiting process…

Interstate Passport® was a national program based at the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) between 2011-2023. The program enabled seamless block transfer of lower-division general…

In June 2021, the National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB) launched an AI-powered career navigation and learning platform, Workforce Compass, in partnership with technology provider FutureFit AI. The…

In April 2023, the Competency-based Education Network (C-BEN) issued a report, Interoperable Learning & Employment Records - Where knowledge and skills are transparent, accessible, and easily shared. The report

Founded in 2020, the OneTen Network aims to close the opportunity gap for talent without four-year degrees in America. The Network is composed of a coalition of leaders working together to cultivate economic…

STARs is a national initiative created and managed by the nonprofit organization, Opportunity@Work. The organization's mission is to rewire the U.S. labor market so that all individuals "skilled through…

The LER Ecosystem Report is an annual research initiative produced by SmartResume to document how Learning and Employment Records (LERs) are evolving from early experimentation into durable infrastructure to…

In March 2023, the Harvard Project on Workforce issued the Navigating Public Job Training Report. The report describes and analyzes the more than 75,000 Eligible Training Provider (ETP) programs in the United…

The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center), in partnership with Jobs for the Future (JFF), launched the Skills-Driven State Community of Practice initiative in 2022 to help…

The Employability Skills Bundle project at the Alamo Colleges District (Texas) offers a suite of marketable skills micro-courses leading to digital badges used for job-market entrants and current workers…

In August 2023, the U.S. Department of Education launched the Career Connected High School Grant program. The $25 million program set out to provide grants to consortia of local educational agencies (K-12)…

SmartResume is iDatafy LLC's flagship product. It is a resume platform that integrates digitally verifiable credentials, enabling job seekers to present trusted data about their skills and qualifications to…

Colorado’s Career Development Incentive Program (also known as the Career Development Success Program) provides financial incentives for school districts and charter schools that encourage high school learners…

An 18-month pilot project of the Colorado Workforce Development Council (CWDC), funded by SkillsFWD and announced December 2023, ColoradoFWD leverages learning and employment records (LERs) to address urgent…

Historically, the United States' federal agencies have led the nation’s largest workforce. As recently in 2024, there were more than 2.2 million federal employees. In February of 2024, the Office of Personnel…

In 2022, Google.org (Google’s philanthropy) awarded a $10 million grant to AARP Foundation to support free technology trainings to people with low-income, age 50+, focusing especially on women and people of…

Established in January 2017, the Kentucky Chamber Workforce Center (KCWC) is an intiative provided by the Kentucky Chamber Foundation. KCWC's focus is to provide collaboration between educational institutions…

Launched by the European Commission in 2017, the European Battery Alliance (EBA) was created to enable Europe to compete globally in an industry sector critical to the green and digital transition of the…

The Rework America Alliance is an initiative originally launched in 2020 by the Markle Foundation, and now managed since October 2023 by Jobs for the Future (JFF). The alliance is focused on providing…

In November 2022, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) launched the Raise the Bar: Unlocking Career Success, an initiative to increase and expand access to high-quality training programs to help young…

In December 2021, New Jersey’s community colleges and the New Jersey Business and Industry Association launched the New Jersey Pathways to Career Opportunities - Aligning Education to Build an Innovative…

Second chance programs provide employment opportunities to individuals with a criminal record, supporting their reentry into the workforce, upward mobility once employed, and improving equity in employment…

The Georgia Association of Manufacturers (GAM) is collaborating with the Technical College System of Georgia to quickly prepare workers for good manufacturing jobs. Over the last year, GAM worked with the…

In August 2024, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s T3 Innovation Network issued an LER Resource Library working in collaboration with experts in learning and employment records. Learning and Employment…

In July 2024, Jobs for the Future (JFF) with support from a multi-year $25 million grant from American Student Assistance, announced it will create the ASA Center for Career Navigation at JFF. The center aims…

The Digital Skills for Today’s Workforce Act is bipartisan legislation introduced on March 13, 2024, in the U.S. Congress. The Act amends the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) to narrow the…

The 2021 North Carolina General Assembly allocated $97 million to start Project Kitty Hawk (PKH), a nonprofit ed-tech startup focused on producing a diverse, globally competitive workforce, fostering scholarly…

Launched in January 2023 by the Education Design Lab (the Lab) and the T3 Innovation Network, the Experience You initiative explores how new technologies can convert massive amounts of unstructured data (e.g…

College Credit for Industry-Recognized Credentials is a key transfer initiative in Ohio and part of the Ohio Transfer Promise initiative. Through the Industry Recognized Credential Transfer Assurance Guides…

In September 2024, EBSCOed, a division of EBSCO Information Services (EBSCO), launched the LER.me platform. The platform is a free, secure, and comprehensive platform for creating, managing, and sharing…

NOVA Workforce and Professional Development is an initiative of Northern Virginia Community College. The initiative provides continuing education, professional training programs, and pathways to in-demand…

In 2024, Education Design Lab launched CredCompare, a credential provider comparison tool to help higher education institutions select digital credential solutions within the increasingly competitive…

In June 2024, Jobs for the Future (JFF) launched the Disrupt the Divide with support from the Truist Foundation. The initiative supports postsecondary institutions to increase Black learners’ success in…

In November 2024, the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) announced a new Career Connected Campus Designation for higher education institutions in the state. The designation is part of the…

The Florida Collegiate Purple Star Campus Program was established by the Florida Legislature in 2023 to highlight institutions that demonstrate a commitment to supporting military students and their families…

“Age-Friendly University” (AFU) is a designation awarded by the Age-Friendly University Global Network (AFU), which was founded in 2013 through an international collaboration of three universities: Arizona…

In October 2024, the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission announced a new initiative, Credential WV, to enable students to prepare for the workforce and become more competitive job applicants…

The Learning and Employment Record (LER) Toolkit is available at a resource hub developed and made publicly available in July 2020 by the Center for Education and Workforce’s T3 Innovation Network™ to support…

The MassSkills Coalition is an initiative in the State of Massachusetts working to unite employers across various sectors to collaboratively explore and implement innovative strategies for assessing, hiring…

In February 2025, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced Arkansas LAUNCH, a free skills-based platform that connects jobseekers with opportunities and helps employers find the skilled workers they need. The…

In August 2024, the National Applied Artificial Intelligence Consortium (NAAIC) was established through a $2.8 million grant from the National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education (NSF ATE). The…

The State of ​California's Career Passport initiative is a digital tool designed to help workers showcase their skills and experiences to potential employers. It combines traditional academic records like…

Hawai‘i’s Public Classifications of Credentials is a statewide initiative begun in 2021 when Hawai‘i joined Credential Engine’s State Partnership Program. This work focuses on creating a publicly accessible…

The Credential Value Index (CVI) is a free, open-access tool available to the public that is designed to measure and display the real-world labor market value of non-degree credentials in the United States. The

In summer 2024, SkillStorm was among eight companies contracted by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to partner with its Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) working on three dozen Air Force (9…

On June 19, 2025, the 1EdTech Consortium and HR Open Standards Consortium announced the Bridging Education and Employment Through Open Standards initiative. The initiative is aimed at reducing barriers to…

The Center for the Future of Higher Education and Talent Strategy (CFHETS) is an applied research center that focuses on issues and trends at the intersection of higher education and industry. The Center…

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation (USCCF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization affiliated with the United States Chamber of Commerce, dedicated to strengthening America’s long-term competitiveness. The…

Launched in 2018, the T3 Innovation Network (T3 Network) is a public-private collective action initiative aims to make it easier for different parts of the job market to share information and work together…

Founded in 1948, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), formerly the American Society of Personnel Administration (1948 - 1989), is a global HR professional membership organization, representing…

The Walmart Foundation is a charitable organization connected to the Walmart retail company. Formed in 1982, the focus of the Foundation is addressing social issues and making a positive impact on communities…

Education Design Lab (the Lab) is a nonprofit organization that co-designs and builds equitable, learner-centered approaches with colleges, universities, employers, foundations, and regions. The Lab's areas of…

Instant Teams is a women-owned, military spouse-owned, venture-backed, C Corporation. Instant Teams launched in 2016 as MadSkills, a website where military spouses could sign up to find available remote work…

The Connecticut Office of Workforce Strategy (OWS) is an executive branch agency established in 2020 that serves as the administrative staff to the Governor’s Workforce Council (GWC). Its vision is that every…

Year Up is a nonprofit organization created in 2020 with a mission to ensure that young adults (ages 18-24) gain the skills, experiences, and support that empowers them to reach their potential through careers…

EBSCO Information Services is a wholly owned subsidiary of EBSCO Industries and has been in business since 1944. EBSCO is a provider of research databases, e-journal and e-package subscription management, book…

Founded in 2015, Parker Dewey is a mission-focused organization that focuses on connecting employers with the next generation of talent through short-term, professional assignments that they call…

Career Launch is an education and workforce innovation initiative focused on bridging the gap between learners and employment by providing integrated, career-connected learning experiences. Designed to improve…

SHRM Foundation | Skills First Future The Learn & Work Ecosystem Library is partnering with the SHRM Foundation to power the new resource library for the Center for a Skills First Future (SFF)—a national