Workforce Development Summit

As part of the Commission’s Workforce Alignment Initiative, funded by a grant from Lumina Foundation, this Workforce Coordinator Network Summit will bring together the Coordinator Network to engage in conversations and hear from national, state, local, and educational leaders about best practices to close the gap between academic programs and workforce needs. Attendees will have dedicated time to reflect on key lessons from the summit and develop actionable plans to advance workforce development efforts on their own campuses and with their communities.

Attendees are encouraged to bring laptop or other electronic devices to access summit materials, actively participate in presentations, and complete action-planning activities throughout the day.

The full schedule of activities is noted below.

8:30 am – 8:45 am

Coffee & Networking

8:45 am – 9:00 am

Welcome

9:00 am – 10:30 am

Workforce Coordinator Network Reports: Looking at the Data and How an Institution Translates Data into Action

This session will provide an overview of the workforce needs reports, with a focus on understanding and analyzing JobsEQ data to identify workforce needs and opportunities. Commission staff will walk participants through key report components, highlighting strategies for interpreting findings and translating data into informed decision-making. Institutional representatives will then share their own experiences in using the reports to guide planning of workforce development initiatives on their campuses.

10:30 am – 10:45 am

Break

10:45 am – 12:00 pm

The Future of Workforce Development: Building Stronger Connections Between Education, Industry, and Opportunity

This panel will bring together national, state, local, and educational leaders to explore emerging workforce trends, discuss innovative partnership models, and examine strategies for creating more effective pathways between learning, employment, and economic opportunity.

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Lunch Provided (Table Leads and discussions)

1:15 pm – 2:15 pm

From Challenges to Impact: Institutional Strategies for Workforce Development

Every institution faces unique workforce development opportunities and obstacles. In this panel, workforce coordinators from four institutions will share innovative approaches, lessons learned, and effective practices for expanding workforce initiatives, cultivating employer partnerships, meeting regional workforce needs, and connecting students to high-demand career pathways.

2:15 pm – 2:45 pm

From Learning to Implementation: Building Your Campus Action Plan

2:45 pm – 3:00 pm

Final Remarks