Research & Insights

The center addresses three areas, work-based learning, aligning education and work, and the development of workforce development faculty and leaders.  That seeks answers to questions like these.  

Work-Based Learning

• How do apprenticeships, internships, and other forms of work-based learning best prepare students for the future of work and continued learning?

• In what ways can partnerships with employers expand and strengthen experiential learning opportunities?

Aligning Education and Work \ Pathways to Work

• How can institutions better align programs with labor market needs and emerging industries?

• What models are most effective in supporting entry into high-skill, high-demand careers?

• What role does labor market intelligence play in shaping curriculum and program design?

• What are the best practices in education–employer partnerships and how do they influence the talent pipeline?

• How does aligning education and work contribute to career advancement, economic growth, and social mobility?

• How are pathways to work, such as career and technical education, work-based learning, and innovative models, viewed?

Faculty and Leadership Development

• What types of professional development most enhance teaching quality and faculty retention in career and technical education?

• What are the most effective pedagogies of career and technical education disciplines?

• How can institutions strengthen the preparation, recruitment, and retention of CTE faculty?

• What leadership preparation models best support workforce boards, administrators, and future workforce scholars?

Summary of Outcomes

The Center for Workforce Development Research and Practice seeks to advance applied research that strengthens the design and delivery of work-based learning, improves the alignment between education and employment, and enhances the preparation, development, and retention of career and technical faculty. Through this agenda, the Center will generate insights that inform policy, guide institutional practice, and build leadership capacity across the workforce system, positioning itself as a national leader in research-driven solutions for workforce development.