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
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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