Education Dept. $15M Fund to Support Talent Marketplaces

"The Department of Education launched a new $15 million grant competition to promote the development of what it calls statewide "Talent Marketplaces," or digital systems that track the credentials, employment records and skills of students and graduates. "Talent Marketplaces give learners, earners, and employers a clearer way to validate skills, opening doors to stackable credentials and stronger recognition of prior learning and work experience," "As we expand these systems, we open more pathways into good jobs, support broader participation in the workforce, and help strengthen our Nation's economy.""

"The announcement came just days after the House Education and Workforce Committee held a hearing about expanding access to similar Learning and Employment Records. The goal, according to Republicans in both Congress and the Education Department, is to help institutions better match talent to opportunity and expand access to career pathways with a positive return on investment. In this first competition, the department will identify up to 10 award winners, each of whom will receive a portion of the $15 million as well as technical assistance in refining and implementing their development plans."

A $15 million grant competition will support development of statewide Talent Marketplaces, digital systems that track credentials, employment records, and skills of students and graduates. Talent Marketplaces aim to validate skills, enable stackable credentials, and recognize prior learning and work experience, expanding pathways into employment and supporting workforce participation. Recent congressional attention included a House committee hearing on Learning and Employment Records, with Republican policymakers emphasizing better talent-opportunity matching and career pathways with positive returns. The competition will select up to ten awardees, each receiving a share of funds and technical assistance; the funding source is not specified. Applications open in January.

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