SkillsFWD

The Colorado Workforce Development Council is leading a skills-based hiring revolution with its ambitious ColoradoFWD project. Through SkillsFWD the project is integrating learning and employment records (LERs) for hiring transparency, equity and efficiency. With nearly 170,000 learners enrolled so far and 304 employers onboarded, Colorado is developing what could become a national workforce model. The initiative is addressing critical labor shortages in behavioral healthcare by leveraging LERs to validate skills and create new career pathways. View the full article for more about how Colorado is reshaping the future of hiring with LERs and skills-based hiring. https://lnkd.in/d2Pehhc3 #Colorado #skills #lers #skillsbasedhiring

?? To address workforce shortages, businesses across Indiana are shifting to skills-based hiring to better align job candidates’ skills with the demands of open roles. Through SkillsFWD, Western Governors University, the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, and the Institute for Workforce Excellence are building a learning and employment record (LER) ecosystem to connect employers with high-quality, verified talent. We sat down with Natalie Wenzler, MPA, at the Institute?to learn more about how the Indiana Achievement Wallet will streamline skills matching, tailored workshops that encourage employer engagement, and much more! Check out our full blog below. ?? https://lnkd.in/emNG-8ZY #Indiana #lers #skills #workforcedevelopment

?? The potential of verified, interoperable learning and employment records (LERs) to streamline credentialing and create access to career opportunities is tremendous. As Christi Harter, Eastern Washington University, recently shared in The EvoLLLution: A Modern Campus Illumination, SkillsFWD is driving this vision forward — connecting students, job seekers, and employers through a digital ecosystem that simplifies skills verification and promotes workforce mobility. And there are already early signs of progress! Check out the full article for initiative data and more on why it’s important for learners and earners to have ownership over their credentials. ?? https://lnkd.in/e_cUZ5BQ #skills #lers #skillsbasedhiring #workforcedevelopment

?? We recently sat down with Jessica Weithman, ASPYR, to learn more about the impact of their $4 million Apprenticeship Building America grant. The funding will help establish the Apprenticeship Resource Hub of Central Ohio (ARHCO), a key initiative providing Central Ohio employers with the tools needed to adopt and sustain skills-based hiring. By focusing on high-demand sectors like healthcare, manufacturing, and education — Aspyr is strengthening Ohio’s talent pipeline, boosting economic mobility, and creating new career pathways for underrepresented groups. Check out our full blog for more! ?? https://lnkd.in/eKdRfTRV #Ohio #skillsbasedhiring #lers #skills

?? Through real-world experiences and digital credentials — like learning and employment records — jobseekers can showcase their unique skills, regardless of their pedigree. We recently sat down with workforce industry leaders Simone Ravaioli, Instructure, and Colin Reynolds, Education Design Lab, who shared how their personal experiences continue to shape their dedication to the skills movement. Takeaways: → Economic Mobility – Skills-based hiring opens 1.5 million jobs to non-degreed talent, helping individuals align their skills with higher-paying, meaningful careers. → Recognition of Non-Traditional Skills – LERs validate self-taught skills and life experiences, enabling jobseekers without formal degrees to compete for roles. → Human-Centered Design – Widespread adoption requires systemic changes that include jobseeker and employer collaboration. Check out the full blog for more on the “why” behind skills-based hiring! ?? https://lnkd.in/eNijWEuE #skills #lers #digitalcredentials #skillsbasedhiring

???Western Governors University (WGU), alongside The Aspen Institute, is working to bridge the skills gap by developing tools like the Achievement Wallet, designed to help jobseekers showcase their abilities in a clear, accessible way. A recent UpSkill America report for WGU highlights the potential of digital credentials and learning and employment records (LERs) to transform hiring practices. However, systematic ways to recognize and integrate digital credentials are still limited, leaving potential untapped in hiring processes. View the link for more and the comment section for a link to the full report! ?? https://lnkd.in/edw-g7z4 #skills #skillsbasedhiring #lers #digitalcredentials

?? Micro-credentials continue to gain momentum in higher education as employers recognize their potential and students and workers seek flexible, skills-based learning. What does it take to provide more paths to career advancement through short-term, targeted learning opportunities? → Employer partnerships: Although universities are adopting micro-credential programs, they lag behind third-party platforms like LinkedIn Learning and Coursera in building strong employer relationships. → Broader recognition: For micro-credentials to truly transform workforce mobility, more employers need to recognize their value and offer financial support or promotions for credential holders. Check out the full article for more! ?? https://lnkd.in/giYe4HPu #skillsbasedhiring #lers #digitalcredentials #futureofwork

???ASPYR, formerly the Workforce Development Board of Central Ohio, received a $4 million U.S. Department of Labor grant to expand registered apprenticeships in Central Ohio — fueling workforce development by providing hands-on training in industries like healthcare, manufacturing, and education. Check out the full article for more on how Aspyr is helping job seekers attain well-paying jobs and career advancement! ?? https://lnkd.in/dMectsQa #skillsbasedhiring #skills #futureofwork

???The National Association of Workforce Boards released a new report featuring SkillsFWD’s potential impact on small and medium-sized businesses through collaboration and sustainable workforce solutions. Along with echoing the potential of skills-based hiring and learning and employment records (LERs) in today’s workforce, the report highlights: ? Collaboration between employers and workforce boards is crucial for sustainable workforce development. ? SkillsFWD’s seven projects across the U.S. building LER ecosystems to match skills with job needs. ? How SkillsFWD is helping employers shift to hiring based on abilities, not degrees. Visit the link in the comments for more! #skills #skillsbasedhiring #digitalcredentials #futureofwork

?? Employees without a degree stay 34% longer in their roles than those with a degree. Skills-based hiring uncovers exceptional candidates often overlooked by focusing on candidates' actual abilities. Skills-based hiring is transforming how organizations identify and nurture talent. From structured interviews to AI-powered assessments, it's important to use tailored methods that fit each role. It may be more complexed than degree-based hiring, but skills-based hiring is leading to a more capable, adaptable workforce. View the full article for more! ?? https://lnkd.in/etAcSrZu #skillsbasedhiring #skills #futureofwork