Career Navigators
Definition: Individuals or organizations that provide guidance and support to individuals resulting in economic mobility
Examples: Workforce boards, nonprofit organizations, advocacy, and workforce development organizations, career and guidance counselors, academic advisors, college access networks, and professional development coaches
Roles and Workstreams
Developing
- Work across the career navigation spectrum to contribute a workforce development perspective to R&D, including the perspective of workers directly
Issuing
- Provide outreach and education for users, support learners and earners understanding of their credential data
Using
- Identify and implement effective tools and supports for learners and earners to discover and apply for jobs and opportunities
Adopting
- Provide information and support to learners and earners on how to take advantage of skills-based career paths
- Offer wraparound career support and mentorship.
Action Areas
There are key action areas that we believe LER ecosystem stakeholders should focus on to make significant progress towards adoption in service of equity and opportunity. All action areas rely on the participation of stakeholders in pilots, research and advocacy initiatives.
Support Degree and Skills Based Systems
LERs can be issued for large scale achievements like diplomas and degrees or for more granular ones like courses or even individual skills and competencies. The ideal LER Ecosystem will support recognition of learning and abilities obtained through both traditional and skills-based systems.
- Contribute a workforce development perspective to pilots and implementations
- Provide outreach, education, and resources to support learners and earners’ understanding of their credential data and how to pursue skills-based career pathways.
- Identify and implement tools and supports for learners and earners to discover and apply for jobs and opportunities using LERs
“Learner Employment Records (LERs) often focus on the employer's perspective in career navigation, yet their true value lies in empowering individuals to understand and embrace their pivotal role within the workforce ecosystem. This empowerment enables each learner to map their unique journey, acknowledging that their skills and experiences are integral to the broader landscape of employment.”— Dr. Krystal Rawls, Director, Workforce Integration Network, California State University, Dominguez Hills
Business Case
Potential for Improved Impact - Increased income and job prospects for individuals may lead to a reduced reliance on social programs and better contribution to economic growth and stability
Aligned Progress - Individual development and improvement is in alignment with the kinds of organizational strategies and development goals common amongst Career Navigators.
Social Case
Improved Quality of Life for Individuals - Increased social connections and opportunities for personal and professional growth. Individual improvement leads to strengthened communities and reduced inequality.
Long-term Societal Benefits - Increased economic mobility helps reduce poverty rates, improve health and increases social cohesion.
