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…

The lack of skilled workers to fill open positions is a growing concern for the economy. The talent search firm Korn Ferry has estimated that the U.S. could face a deficit of 6.5 million highly skilled workers by 2030, and the skills gap could cost the country $1.75 trillion in revenue by that same year. More important, the failure to better…

To ensure that students are prepared for the workforce, part of Maryland State Department of Education's (MSDE) vision for career and technical education (CTE) is for all students to have access and opportunities to engage in CTE programs of study that align to occupations that are high-wage, high-skill, and/or in-demand (MSDE, 2020). MSDE's…

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.

To help students leave high school on a path toward success in the labor market, education policymakers and practitioners often focus on improving career and technical education (CTE) opportunities in high school. Understanding the alignment between high school CTE programs and the labor market is an important step in this process. To support CTE…

To help students leave high school on a path toward success in the labor market, education policymakers and practitioners often focus on improving career and technical education (CTE) opportunities in high school. This study quantifies the system-level alignment between West Virginia's high school CTE programs and the labor market. West Virginia…

The 2018 reauthorization of the Perkins Act--the principal federal program supporting career and technical education (CTE)--expressly aims to "align workforce skills with labor market needs." But it does little to define or operationalize such alignment. Likewise, the Foundation for Excellence in Education admonishes states to phase out…

The recent reauthorization of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act--the principal federal education program supporting career and technical education (CTE)--expressly aims to "align workforce skills with labor market needs." "How Aligned is Career and Technical Education to Local Labor Markets?", co-authored…

These are the appendixes for the report, "Assessing the Alignment between West Virginia's High School Career and Technical Education Programs and the Labor Market." The study found that 70 percent of West Virginia's long-term projected employment openings typically require some occupational preparation beyond a high school diploma but…

The current economic crisis hit Californians with less education hard and brought greater attention to the role public workforce training can play in an equitable recovery. To support workforce needs and the economic success of residents, California invests heavily in access to education beyond high school. The state deployed between $6 and $7…

Many have called for greater alignment between education systems and the workforce, more equitable access to career-oriented experiences, and new policy approaches that will enable all individuals to successfully enter and thrive in the evolving labor market. Overall, education leaders at all levels must commit to new policy solutions that offer…

The Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V) places a strong emphasis on the alignment of Career Technical Education (CTE) programs of study with state, regional and local economies. Specifically, the legislation requires Perkins-funded programs to prepare students for "high-skill, high-wage, or…

Background: This article seeks to examine factors that shape Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) engineering students' understanding of their future career choices. Moreover, given the promising and ambitious vision for growth in both TVET and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), as envisaged by the policy framework, White Paper on…

As the economy rapidly shifts toward automation, there is growing consensus that while new jobs will be created, change is the new normal. Youth need training in soft skills alongside preparation for lifetime learning. Systemic change, not minor improvements, will be necessary. States, districts, and schools are adjusting to the aspirations of…

Community colleges across Iowa are working with business and industry through sector boards to develop training programs for jobs that have applicant shortages. The state Pathways for Academic Career and Employment (PACE) program enables community colleges to offer in-demand training, making education affordable for low income or unemployed…