Professional Learning
Professional Learning Academies 2026
Career Pathways Leadership Academy
A live, virtual leadership academy for education and workforce professionals leading career pathways initiatives and advancing systems alignment.
Overview
The Career Pathways Leadership Academy (CPL) is a live, virtual leadership academy that equips education and workforce professionals to lead systems-level career pathways initiatives. Grounded in CORD’s Framework for Career Pathways Alignment, the academy explores systems-level approaches to aligning education, workforce development, and employer partners while providing participants with practical tools, resources, and strategies they can apply in their own organizations.
Participants become part of a national cohort of education and workforce professionals from across the country who bring a range of perspectives and experiences to the conversation. Through collaborative discussions, case studies, and peer learning, they share ideas, examine real-world challenges, and learn from one another’s experiences. Throughout the academy, participants develop an implementation-ready action plan while building professional relationships that continue long after the program ends.
What You'll Gain
Strengthen your ability to:
- Design and strengthen industry-informed, learner-focused career pathways.
- Apply CORD’s Framework for Career Pathways Alignment.
- Strengthen employer engagement strategies.
- Build partnerships across education, workforce, and industry.
- Develop an action plan for implementation.
- Connect with a national network of peers.
Who Should Attend
- Career Pathways Coordinators
- CTE Practitioners
- Adult Education Practitioners
- Deans
- Administrators
- Workforce Development Personnel
- Counselors
Meet Your Faculty
Jennifer Jirous, PhD Vice President, Career Pathways & Professional Learning, CORD
Jennifer Jirous, PhD is a leader in career pathways, systems alignment, and cross-sector collaboration who helps education and workforce organizations build stronger connections between education, workforce, and industry. As a member of the CORD leadership team, Jennifer partners with state agencies, colleges, school districts, workforce organizations, and employers nationwide to strengthen career pathways, advance systems change, and improve learner outcomes. She brings extensive experience helping leaders align strategy with action, build sustainable partnerships, and create pathways that respond to workforce needs while expanding opportunities for learners.
Program Snapshot
| Format | Six live virtual sessions (one kickoff and five weekly interactive sessions) |
|---|---|
| Kickoff | Monday, October 19, 2026 (45-minute virtual session) |
| Weekly Sessions | Fridays
|
| Time | 1:00–3:00 p.m. ET (2 hour sessions) |
| Registration Fee | $699 |
| Recognition | Certificate of completion, recognition at NCPN Connect 2027, and 15 hours of professional development credit or 1.0 graduate credit may be available for an additional fee. |
Program Schedule & Learning Topics
Kickoff | Monday, October 19 | 1:00–1:45 p.m. ET | Welcome and Orientation
- Welcome
- Introductions
- Academy expectations
- Moodle access and overview
Week 1 | Friday, October 23 | 1:00–3:00 p.m. ET | Career Pathways Ecosystem
Explore the foundations of career pathways and CORD's Framework for Career Pathways Alignment while assessing your current career pathways ecosystem.
- Introduction to the World of Work
- CORD's Framework for Career Pathways Alignment
- Career pathways ecosystem self-assessment
- Connections and partnerships activity
Week 2 | Friday, October 30 | 1:00–3:00 p.m. ET | Employer Engagement
Learn practical approaches to engaging employers as partners in building stronger career pathways.
- Employer engagement self-assessment
- Employer engagement overview, including BILT
- Employer engagement goals activity
- Communicating the value of employer partnerships
- Elevator pitch activity
- Employer Engagement Worksheet
Week 3 | Friday, November 6 | 1:00–3:00 p.m. ET | Career Pathways Design
- Career pathways self-assessment
- Stackable credentials
- Pathway mapping
- Interactive mapping activity
Week 4 | Friday, November 13 | 1:00–3:00 p.m. ET | Supporting Completion
Discover strategies for creating supportive environments that promote learner persistence and success.
- Supporting Completion self-assessment
- Holistic supports overview
- Academic support models
- Work-based learning and apprenticeships
- Financial supports
- Personal supports
- Holistic Supports Inventory activity
Week 5 | Friday, November 20 | 1:00–3:00 p.m. ET | Pathways in Practice
Bring it all together by developing a plan for applying what you've learned.
- Policy updates
- Creating awareness
- Continuous improvement
- Action planning
Register Today
Join a national cohort of education and workforce professionals committed to designing and strengthening career pathways that support learners, employers, and communities.
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