Arlington, VA, June 23, 2025 – The Center for Regional Economic Competitiveness (CREC) is excited to announce the official launch of our Mobilizing Data for Talent Development program! Funded by the Gates Foundation, this program aims to strengthen education and workforce pathways at the local level and develop data infrastructure for workforce professionals. The program elevates the need for localized results and provides tailored solutions to help regions tell their story more effectively, focused on the organizations who are leaders in data collaboration and insights.
CREC will collaborate with the following seven organizations over the next year to help them strengthen post-secondary pathways and improve data systems in their regions:
- Greenville Chamber – South Carolina
- Worksystems – Oregon
- Piedmont Triad Regional Council – North Carolina
- The Greater Akron Chamber – Ohio
- Nevadaworks – Nevada
- Partner4Work – Pennsylvania
- Ivy Tech Community College – Indiana
“This program seeks to bridge gaps between education and employment in new ways by leveraging data,” said Ken Poole, CEO/President of CREC. “By equipping these organizations with the tools to track and share outcomes effectively, we’re not only strengthening regional talent development systems but also ensuring that investments in education and training lead to meaningful career opportunities.”
Organization projects include tracking non-degree credential ROI, building secure regional data-sharing systems, and implementing strategies to connect individuals to high-demand career pathways. Learn more about the program here.
Project leaders aim to ensure their communities have reliable and consistent information about which industries, skills, occupations, and education provide pathways to well-paying careers.
Read about the problems each organization is seeking to address here.
For more information, please contact:
Sarah Edwards, CREC Project Manager, sedwards@crec.net, 703-504-2867