This report examines the critical role of intermediary organizations in the career preparation ecosystem, particularly through the New Skills ready network. The network brings together cross-sector stakeholders—including K–12 districts, postsecondary institutions, and employers—to build high-quality, equitable career pathways that align with workforce demands.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Need for Intermediaries
   • The rapid evolution of workforce demands necessitates structured career pathways that equip learners with industry-relevant skills.
   • Intermediary organizations act as connective tissue, fostering collaboration between education and industry to enhance work-based learning (WBL), apprenticeships, and employer engagement.
   • A shortage of intermediaries in Career Technical Education (CTE) risks weakening the alignment between career pathways and labor market needs.
2. Core Functions of Intermediaries
   • Effective intermediaries exhibit six key attributes:
     • Develop Expertise: Build deep knowledge in education-to-career alignment.
     • Secure Funding: Ensure financial sustainability for long-term impact.
     • Build Trust: Establish credibility with education and workforce stakeholders.
     • Prioritize Replicability: Design scalable models for broader adoption.
     • Leverage Resources: Optimize cross-sector assets for program success.
     • Foster Collaboration: Facilitate partnerships across diverse institutions.
3. Case Study: New Skills ready network
   • The initiative’s six-site model (Boston, Columbus, Dallas, Denver, Indianapolis, and Nashville) demonstrates how non-traditional organizations can assume intermediary roles.
   • By leveraging existing relationships and infrastructure, site leads in these cities facilitated policy alignment, employer partnerships, and career pathway development.
   • Key impacts included improved WBL opportunities, stronger employer-education partnerships, and systemic policy shifts supporting career readiness.
4. Implications for the Future
   • Sustainability: Successful intermediary functions must be institutionalized within education and workforce development systems.
   • Scalability: More organizations—beyond traditional workforce intermediaries—can adopt intermediary strategies to enhance career pathways.
   • Policy and Funding: Ongoing investment in intermediary structures is crucial for ensuring equitable and accessible career preparation opportunities.

Conclusion

Intermediaries are indispensable catalysts in the career preparation ecosystem, bridging the gap between education and workforce needs. The New Skills ready network exemplifies an innovative, scalable model where organizations can serve as intermediaries—even without formally adopting the title—by fostering cross-sector collaboration, policy alignment, and equitable access to career pathways.

As I reflect on this framework, I’m considering what intermediaries already exist in my own community—or where there may be gaps that need to be filled. Identifying and engaging with these organizations could be a key step in strengthening regional career pathways and workforce development initiatives.