RAND Lowy Family Middle-Class Pathways Center Publications

Research

Apr 30, 2026

Gaps in State Workforce Priorities, Needs, and Training Programs

In an analysis of Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act plans and eligible training programs, researchers found significant gaps between workforce goals and approved training programs, and identify opportunities to help states better target workforce investments into in-demand occupations.

Elaine W. Leigh, Alexis Gable, Sarah Haroon Sualehi
Research

Apr 17, 2026

Expanding School Counseling: The Impacts of California Funding Changes

We use panel-based estimators to show that California’s Supplemental School Counseling Program increased the number of counselors on staff and improved counselor to student ratios, but reduced average counselor experience.

Daniel Sparks, Christine Mulhern
Research

Apr 14, 2026

Who Could Benefit from College Credit for Prior Learning?

Awarding college credit for industry credentials, military training, and other types of prior learning can establish on-ramps into college and build on the knowledge and skills that individuals bring with them.

Jonah Kushner, Lindsay Daugherty, Elaine W. Leigh, Jenna W. Kramer, Nikki Wearly
Expert Insights

Feb 4, 2026

Promising Practices for Building Stackable Credential Infrastructure

Nine promising practices can help educational institutions and states design and implement stackable credentials—a short-term credential that builds toward a higher-level qualification.

Jonah Kushner, Elaine W. Leigh, Phoebe Rose Levine, Melanie A. Zaber
Commentary

Jan 6, 2026

Un-Retiring: How Older Workers Could Solve Rural America's Labor Crisis

Rural states have thousands of jobs they can't fill. Yet they've often overlooked one resource they tend to have in abundance. With the right opportunities and working conditions, older people could fill a lot of those jobs and provide a much-needed boost to rural economies.

David Luckey
Research Summary

Dec 1, 2025

Strengthening Partnerships Among Colleges, Workforce Development Boards, and Employers to Meet Regional Needs

Effective regional collaboration is essential to address interconnected challenges across education, workforce development, and economic growth. Collaboration is especially vital in rural areas, where geographic isolation, smaller populations, and limited resources can hinder independent efforts.

Rita T. Karam, Marwa AlFakhri, Melanie A. Zaber, Elaine W. Leigh
Research

Dec 1, 2025

How Rural Partnerships Can Advance Student and Workforce Development Success

The TEAM Consortium—covering 45 counties across Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia—connects community colleges and workforce boards to serve a largely rural region. Researchers examine its growth and highlight how regional partnerships can tackle persistent workforce and economic development challenges in rural regions.

Rita T. Karam, Marwa AlFakhri, Melanie A. Zaber, Elaine W. Leigh
Research

Nov 10, 2025

Aligning Career Training and Workforce Development in West Virginia

West Virginia has the lowest labor-force participation rate in the United States. Researchers examine if career technical education participation in West Virginia aligns with local jobs and identify areas and strategies for growth.

Christine Mulhern, Brian Phillips, Fernando Esteves, Jonah Kushner
Research

Oct 29, 2025

Translating Military Skills into Energy and Infrastructure Careers

Researchers examine how service members can successfully transition into civilian jobs in the sustainable energy and infrastructure sectors—advancing the dual goals of meeting critical labor needs and supporting those who have served. It compares job duties and skills across the armed forces with the requirements of high‑demand positions in these industries.

Aaron Strong, Jeffrey B. Wenger
Video

Oct 2, 2025

Strengthening Apprenticeship in West Virginia: Insights and Strategies for Workforce Development

This webinar explores RAND’s analysis of West Virginia apprenticeships, including trends, challenges, and participant demographics. Researchers discuss recommendations to strengthen programs and advance workforce development goals across the state.

Marwa AlFakhri, Melanie A. Zaber
Commentary

Aug 8, 2025

Leading States Offer a Roadmap to Jobs of the Future

It's hard to plan for jobs of the future that promise to be vastly different. But the future is rapidly approaching in advanced manufacturing. How can state governments, education and training organizations, and employers start to collaborate now to create these new jobs?

Alexis Gable, Jonah Kushner, Lindsay Daugherty
Commentary

Aug 1, 2025

This Digital Skills Training Tripled Job Rates. Why Didn't It Survive?

One-third of U.S. workers lack basic digital skills needed to succeed in the modern labor force. Training boosts confidence, job rates, and earnings, but access and funding for such programs remain major barriers.

George Zuo, Omari Jackson

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Publications

Featured

Gaps in State Workforce Priorities, Needs, and Training Programs

Who Could Benefit from College Credit for Prior Learning?

Promising Practices for Building Stackable Credential Infrastructure

Un-Retiring: How Older Workers Could Solve Rural America's Labor Crisis

Center Research

Error

Gaps in State Workforce Priorities, Needs, and Training Programs

Expanding School Counseling: The Impacts of California Funding Changes

Who Could Benefit from College Credit for Prior Learning?

Promising Practices for Building Stackable Credential Infrastructure

Un-Retiring: How Older Workers Could Solve Rural America's Labor Crisis

Strengthening Partnerships Among Colleges, Workforce Development Boards, and Employers to Meet Regional Needs

How Rural Partnerships Can Advance Student and Workforce Development Success

Aligning Career Training and Workforce Development in West Virginia

Translating Military Skills into Energy and Infrastructure Careers

Strengthening Apprenticeship in West Virginia: Insights and Strategies for Workforce Development

Leading States Offer a Roadmap to Jobs of the Future

This Digital Skills Training Tripled Job Rates. Why Didn't It Survive?

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