Our five focus areas aim to better connect education to work
Taken together, the five areas where we focus our work provide a holistic framework that can help students find their path, see the future they want — and get there.
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Everyone should have access to accurate information on education and employment outcomes that can help them make informed decisions about post-high school education and employment.
When individuals have access to education-to-career coaching, they are better equipped to make informed decisions about their education, map out career pathways, and navigate challenges along the way.
Postsecondary education should be within everyone’s reach. By making existing financial aid easier to access and improving efficiency of higher education programs, more individuals will be able to pursue their educational and employment goals, regardless of their circumstances or background.
Work-based learning experiences, particularly paid internships and apprenticeships, help students make the connection between their education and career aspirations.
Students should have access to education and workforce training programs that lead to quality jobs, and employers should assess and advance individuals based on skills and experiences, not just their degrees.
Designed to guide state progress in five priority areas, the index helps states assess how well they are leveraging post-high school education — including degrees, certificates, and other credentials — to strengthen workforce competitiveness and pathways to opportunity.
News and insights
How a student chooses a college major is often the result of personal factors, such as interests, strengths, or education and career guidance.
President and CEO, Stephen Moret, provides a testimony during the “Strengthening WIOA: Improving Outcomes for America’s Workforce” hearing on March 5, 2025.
