The following is from New Skills Ready Network:
The rapidly changing workforce landscape demands structures that equip learners with the skills to meet labor market needs. High-quality career pathways that respond to learner needs and lead to rewarding careers are essential for addressing workforce shortages. Career preparation opportunities, such as work-based learning (WBL) and apprenticeships, are increasingly seen as key strategies because they provide experiential learning that helps learners transition successfully into the workforce. To ensure the effectiveness of career preparation systems, ongoing cross-sector collaboration among key stakeholders — such as K–12 districts, postsecondary institutions, employers, and relevant agencies — is crucial. Intermediary organizations often play a vital role in facilitating these collaborations, acting as the “glue” that connects partners to foster a shared vision. Recognizing the need for intermediary organizations in the career preparation ecosystem to meet workforce demands, this publication explores the role of intermediaries in the New Skills ready network initiative and outlines how organizations can function as intermediaries without officially adopting the title.
As partners scale their efforts to align career pathways to workforce needs, many are looking to other support organizations outside of the education continuum, such as intermediaries, to launch, grow and sustain their career pathways programs at all levels. While the responsibilities of intermediaries vary, they primarily take on the role of a convener, facilitating connections across organizations. Career pathways intermediaries foster partnerships among three specific sectors: K–12 education, post-secondary education and workforce development. Many intermediaries take on more extensive roles, building WBL implementation strategies to foster meaningful experiences for learners. With support that ranges from systemic to programmatic assistance, intermediaries offer numerous benefits including shifting the organizational culture of sector partners and supporting changes to hiring practices for employers, which can increase access to job opportunities for learners6 While the services of intermediaries have proven to be valuable in connecting employers and educators, there is a notable shortage of intermediary organizations working systematically in the Career Technical Education (CTE) space. Without sufficient intermediaries, career pathways risk becoming disconnected from workforce needs, limiting learners’ access to high-demand career opportunities. This gap presents a significant opportunity for organizations to step up and fill this critical role, fostering stronger connections among CTE stakeholders and ultimately enhancing the effectiveness and relevance of CTE programs in meeting labor demands. By stepping into this role, organizations can help ensure that career preparation ecosystems are better aligned with current and future labor market demands, creating more sustainable, impactful outcomes for both learners and employers.