Workforce Development
Expanding Workforce Pathways Through System Partnerships
Public higher education systems help learners build credentials that grow over time, support re-entry into education, and connect directly to career advancement.
What We Do
NASH's Office of Workforce Development partners with member systems to design and scale employer-aligned talent pathways. This work responds to three converging shifts:
- Growing demand for flexible, stackable credentials
- Employer adoption of skills-based hiring
- Policy alignment with workforce outcomes
The office focuses on three core functions:
- Aligning education pathways with regional workforce needs
- Building partnerships across systems, employers, and communities
- Expanding pathways for learners facing barriers
Workforce Initiatives
Talent Readiness–New England
Talent Readiness–New England (TRNE) is a multi-state initiative uniting seven NASH member systems around a shared goal: strengthening New England as a coordinated talent market.
This initiative focuses on:
- Employer-aligned pathways in healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and marine sectors
- Short-cycle, earn-and-learn models
- Skills-based credentialing strategies
- Shared data systems and workforce metrics
By coordinating across state lines, TRNE advances regional competitiveness while expanding access to high-quality jobs.
Talent Readiness–Colorado
NASH and the Colorado State University System are developing a statewide initiative to deliver short, employer-aligned pathways into high-demand careers.
This model includes:
- Employer-led training design
- Integrated technical and durable skills instruction
- Paid work-based learning
- Focus on rural and underserved learners
This approach connects adults directly to career opportunities while addressing regional workforce needs.
Workforce Development Catalyst Fund
The Catalyst Fund supports NASH member systems in designing, testing, and scaling workforce innovations that no single institution could achieve alone.
The Workforce Development Catalyst Fund provides:
- Seed funding and technical assistance
- Support for employer-aligned pathway development
- Opportunities to scale high-impact models
Applications open Fall 2026.
Meet the Team
