We always start this newsletter with trends “By the Numbers.” But as we were reminded this week at the 2026 JFF Horizons Summit, it’s the people behind the numbers who matter.
Charlotte Newell began her career as a barber, but she’d always loved space, even attending space camp as a child. A new video from JFF Studio and the Global Electronics Association highlights Charlotte’s path from being a barber to being the “hairdresser to the gods,” working on the wire harnesses for Intuitive Machines’ Athena lunar lander. Through a mix of community college coursework, industry training and certification from the Global Electronics Association, and on-the-job experience, Charlotte has joined the industry she’s always loved. She’s not only left her mark on the industry, she’s also left her mark on the moon: Her signature is among those on Athena.
Education and workforce leaders often talk about the potential for upskilling or industry recognized credentials to create pathways to good jobs. But it’s stories like Charlotte’s that really bring the potential of these pathways to life. It’s worth a watch.
This week, we’re covering:
Workforce and Labor Trends, By the Numbers
Workforce Pell Tracker Shows 19 States With Operational Approval Process
Scaling Credential Attainment Across California
A New Practical Guide to Work-Based Learning
Partnerships, Investments, and Company Innovation
What We’re Reading (And Listening To)
Workforce and Labor Trends, By the Numbers
The labor force participation rate fell to 61.5% in June, the lowest level in 50 years outside of the COVID-19 pandemic, as 720,000 people dropped out of the labor force in June. [CNBC]
73% of tech job postings now list at least one AI skill, compared to 15% in January 2024. [HR Dive]
65% of 2,500 CEOs surveyed worry that they’re underinvesting in AI, according to a new report by CISCO. [HR Dive]
Workforce Pell Tracker Shows 22 States With Operational Approval Process
Workforce Pell officially launched on July 1, but students cannot access funding until their state’s governor, state workforce board, and designated lead agency have established a functioning system for reviewing, approving, and certifying eligible training programs for submission to the U.S. Department of Education. As of July 16, Opportunity Data found that 22 states and jurisdictions have reached this stage; others are still naming lead agencies, drafting guidance, or pursuing legislation needed to launch their approval systems.
Scaling Credential Attainment Across California
Growing Inland Achievement (GIA) brings together educators, employers, policymakers, and community organizations to ensure that at least 70% of working-age adults in California earn credentials aligned with local workforce needs. The effort reflects a growing national movement, led by StriveTogether, to build place-based partnerships that expand economic opportunity and strengthen regional economies by improving student outcomes from cradle to career. GIA's focus on school-to-career transitions mirrors the recent launch of the Pathways Impact Fund, an aggregate fund housed within StriveTogether, that invests in regional intermediaries building similar pathways. [Work Shift]
A New Practical Guide to Work-Based Learning
A new Progressive Policy Institute report from Rachel Canter and Bruno Manno examines how six leading career education programs have made work-based learning a core part of the high school experience, helping students build professional skills alongside academic knowledge. The report argues that with the right partnerships and infrastructure, work-based learning can better prepare students for college and careers while making high school more relevant and engaging.
Partnerships, Investments, and Company Innovation
The U.S. Department of Labor awarded over $160 million through five cooperative agreements to expand Registered Apprenticeship programs in sectors tied to reindustrialization, including shipbuilding, defense, and emerging technology. At least 85% of each award flows directly to apprenticeship sponsors, with recipients Jobs for the Future, the Florida Department of Commerce, the Wireless Infrastructure Association, Clark University, and the ASE foundation tasked with building sponsor capacity nationwide as the Trump administration pushes to surpass 1 million active apprentices.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation committed more than $1.5 million to five employer-led organizations, selected from nearly 200 applicants, as part of its new Pathways with Purpose Initiative. The grants will fund hands-on, career-connected learning in fields like construction, electrical work, advanced manufacturing, and AI in regions including Denver, CO; southwest Ohio; San Diego, CA; and coastal Virginia, aiming to close the gap between classroom learning and employer demand.
What We’re Reading (And Listening To)
As college graduates fret over finding jobs, a record shortage of workers is projected [The Hechinger Report]
U.S. Workers Are More Productive Than Ever. A.I. Isn’t the Key [The New York Times, subscription model]
Here’s why momentum for paid apprenticeships is surging [University Business]
Career Literacy Strengthens Student Success [Inside Higher Ed, subscription model]
🎧AI and Jobs Series: Upskilling's 'Messy Middle' and Fixing the Skills Mismatch [World Economic Forum]
Why Workforce Capability Is The New Critical Competitive Advantage [Forbes, subscription model]
This edition of “New Skills, Talent and Development” was drafted by Annie Han, Ben Clatterbuck, and Ashley Utnage and edited by Julia Pasette-Seamon and Erica Price Burns.