Just Released! Building Equitable Pathways Final Report

Written by

Alec Romero

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We are excited to announce the release of CREC’s latest report, Bridging Data Disparities: How Intermediary Organizations Can Build Capacity to Support Equitable Education and Career Pathways. For two years, CREC worked alongside Jobs for the Future and 14 workforce and education intermediary organizations participating in the Building Equitable Pathways initiative to address information gaps and expand data-related capabilities.  

The report outlines several key recommendations, including:​ 

  1. Support State and Local Data Ecosystem Alignment Efforts. Stronger relationships are needed across a broader set of actors to ensure data systems are better funded and utilized.  
  1. Partner with networks of data professionals. There are several professional networks, such as the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) and the Labor Market Information Institute (LMII), that can bolster research capacity at the organizational level. 
  1. Increase support for intermediary organizations’ data access. Education, workforce development, and employer partners can commit to shared goals for leveraging data as a strategic asset.  
  1. Remove barriers to accessing employment information. Employment information can be shared purposefully and securely for explicit public benefits. 

These intermediaries play a crucial role in connecting resources across education and workforce systems, aiming to transform employment and training pathways. The report emphasizes the need for a cultural shift towards responsible and effective data sharing, highlighting that such a shift requires collective efforts from both intermediary organizations and state agency leaders.​ Explore case studies and other relevant resources that can help your organization better understand your data ecosystem and bolster internal capacity. 

Check out what Brittany LaCour Deal, C2ER Board Member and Director of Business Intelligence at Lafayette Economic Development Authority, had to say about the report and how it applies to her work:

For a detailed exploration of these findings, resources, and recommendations, you can access the full report here: https://crecstorage.blob.core.windows.net/crec/2024/01/CREC_Bridging-Disparities-Final.pdf.  

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