A growing number of employers identify difficulty hiring highly qualified workers as their top competitive challenge. Roughly 75 million of Americans could meet these employer needs but currently lack the skills or supports to do so. This is America's untapped workforce--the many people who do not have the work or wages they need to get by, but who can become the talent the country needs? The nation needs aligned education and workforce systems that provide clear career pathways that are accessible and accountable. These systems must meet the needs of untapped workers and employers in high-demand industries. State and federal policies can build systems that harness the potential of the untapped workforce by focusing on equitable completion of quality credentials, ensuring affordability, and creating flexible pathways that make success attainable for all.