ALIGNMENT WITH LABOR MARKET DEMAND
WHAT IT IS
Pathways are reverse-mapped from industry to postsecondary to K-12 to ensure that students develop the skills and competencies they need to succeed in their careers.
Pathways build a skilled talent pipeline for employers by preparing students for jobs in high-wage, in-demand industries with career advancement opportunities.
Pathways are designed using regional labor market information and industry and employer input to identify growing industries and occupations, as well as the skills and credentials needed for a career in targeted sectors.
WHY IT MATTERS
Business and industry leaders are facing a talent shortage. Pathways aligned with labor market demand meet workforce needs, leading to state and regional economic growth.
Alignment with labor market demand ensures that students in pathways gain the right skills and credentials that lead to family-sustaining careers.
WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE
Regional Labor Market: Leverage multiple sources of labor market information to identify in-demand occupations and associated skills, degrees, and credentials. Sources may include: TWC labor projections, WDA target occupations, and real-time labor market information. Enrich and validate findings through conversations with industry experts and employers.
Postsecondary: Develop and enhance postsecondary programs of study that lead to in-demand degrees and credentials that are stackable and transferable. Explore options for dual credit courses applicable to multiple postsecondary programs of study.
Secondary: Develop a course sequence aligned with postsecondary programs of study and regional labor market information. Embed stackable, industry-recognized credentials. Incorporate a continuum of work-based learning experiences and career advising.
STAKEHOLDER ROLES
Employers provide input on the competencies, skills, and credentials required to meet their talent needs.
Secondary and postsecondary educators design programs of study aligned with regional labor market demand.
Workforce development boards provide labor market information and analysis to inform the development, design, and implementation of pathways.
Regional conveners support the development of a process that engages educators and employers in keeping pathways updated to meet the needs of evolving regional labor markets.
