Education Meets Workforce Needs
A strategy that aligns academic programs with workforce needs and career opportunities, ensuring students graduate with skills, credentials, and experiences required to thrive in the job market.
Skills Gap
Employers report critical gaps in areas like critical thinking, digital literacy, and adaptability
Career Disconnect
Traditional education often fails to connect learning to workforce applications
Completion Gaps
Students lack clear pathways between education and meaningful employment
Proof Points
Students in career-aligned programs demonstrate significantly higher completion rates, employment outcomes, and earnings while institutions develop stronger community partnerships.
- Students in career-aligned programs are 50% more likely to secure employment after graduation
- Career-aligned graduates earn 14-17% more at entry level
- Structured pathways reduce completion gaps by up to 40% for historically excluded student populations
- Career-aligned graduates see 22% higher employment rates six years after completion
Through its “Earn and Learn” initiative and over 280 employer partnerships, Miami Dade College aligns every academic program to workforce needs while creating paid opportunities. The college saw a 31% increase in completion and 28% improvement in job placement rates.
Miami Dade College
Miami, FL
Benefits
Academic and career alignment improves student outcomes while strengthening institutional relationships with employers and demonstrating clear educational value to stakeholders and the broader community.
Employment Success
Higher job placement rates and stronger career advancement opportunities
Institutional Partnerships
Deeper relationships with regional employers and industry leaders
Student Preparation
Enhanced career readiness and workforce-relevant skill development
Related News
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Learn More: Rethinking Career Readiness: New Report Guides Colleges on Embedding Career Purpose From Enrollment to AlumniRethinking Career Readiness: New Report Guides Colleges on Embedding Career Purpose From Enrollment to Alumni
Complete College America refreshes Purpose First report with new recommendations for how colleges can connect the student experience to career and economic mobility after graduation
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Learn More: The EDU Ledger: Colleges Must Embed Career Purpose Throughout Student Journey, New Report UrgesThe EDU Ledger: Colleges Must Embed Career Purpose Throughout Student Journey, New Report Urges
Quotes CCA President Dr. Yolanda Watson Spiva on CCA’s College on Purpose, 2.0 publication.
Related Resources
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Learn More: College, On Purpose 2.0
College, On Purpose 2.0
The updated guide to implementing the Purpose First strategy—a powerful approach to driving success in college and career by connecting students with their purpose in higher education.
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Learn More: College, On Purpose
College, On Purpose
The report lays out the components of a Purpose First experience focused on helping students explore interests and careers, make informed choices and hit early benchmarks toward on-time graduation.
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Learn More: Promise with a Purpose: College Promise Programs “Built for Completion”
Promise with a Purpose: College Promise Programs “Built for Completion”
A joint report from CCA, College Promise Campaign, and Achieving the Dream.
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