Students often ask: How do the skills I learn in school apply to my future? Now, a groundbreaking partnership between the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is providing an answer.
Through a new interagency agreement, the two departments are working together to create a national “skills currency” — a unified way for students, workers, and employers to recognize and validate skills across education and career pathways.
The idea is simple but powerful: instead of focusing only on traditional credentials like diplomas or degrees, this approach highlights what students can actually do — from technical skills to problem-solving and collaboration. By aligning education programs with labor market needs, students will be better equipped to show their competencies, and employers will be able to match talent with opportunity more effectively.
For schools and families, this means clearer pathways from classroom learning to real-world careers. For students, it means more opportunities to turn hard work and learning into future success — no matter which path they take after graduation.
This national initiative represents a bold step toward bridging education and employment, ensuring every learner’s skills are valued in the workforce.
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