Call for Proposals
Share Your Expertise. Connect with Purpose.
The National Career Pathways Network (NCPN) invites educators, employers, workforce development professionals, community partners, and policymakers to submit proposals for presentations at the NCPN CONNECT 2027 Conference, February 18–20, 2027, in San Antonio, Texas.
Prospective Presenters
NCPN welcomes proposals informed by a range of professional experience and expertise, including:
- Secondary and post-secondary educators
- Career pathways coordinators and program directors
- Community partners
- Workforce development professionals
- Industry partners and employers
- State and local education agency leaders
- Researchers and policy advocates
Conference Theme
Pathways That Deliver: Talent. Opportunity. Economic Growth.
As workforce needs continue to evolve, successful career pathways must do more than connect learners to education and training. They must deliver talent for employers, opportunity for learners, and economic growth for communities.
CORD’s Framework for Career Pathways Alignment provides a proven structure for designing and scaling pathways that respond to emerging workforce demands, strengthening employer partnerships, supporting learner success, and building sustainable systems.
The four program strands for NCPN CONNECT 2027 reflect the key elements of the Framework while addressing the most pressing challenges and opportunities shaping the future of education, workforce development, and economic mobility.
Building Systems That Deliver Results
Strong career pathways are built within connected ecosystems that align education, workforce, employer, and community partners around shared outcomes. This strand focuses on creating sustainable systems that expand opportunity and strengthen regional economies.
- Cross-agency partnerships at the local, regional, tribal, or state level
- Education, workforce, and economic development collaboration
- Data-driven decision making and continuous improvement
- Leveraging Perkins, WIOA, Adult Education, and other funding sources
- Sustaining partnerships beyond grant funding
- Scaling successful pathway models and practices
Industry as a Co-Leader in Talent Development
High-quality pathways are developed with employers, not simply for employers. This strand highlights innovative approaches to engaging industry partners in the design, delivery, and continuous improvement of career pathways.
- Strategic employer partnerships
- Business and Industry Leadership Teams (BILT)
- Work-based learning, internships, and externships
- Apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs
- Employer-led curriculum and competency development
- Developing regional talent pipelines
Creating Pathways That Lead to Opportunity
Career pathways must be responsive to both learner aspirations and workforce demand. This strand focuses on designing, implementing, and improving pathways that lead to industry-valued credentials, continued education, and high-quality careers.
- Credentials of value and labor market alignment
- Stackable credential and micro-credential pathways
- Dual enrollment, dual credit, and articulated credit models
- Credit for prior learning
- Integrated Education and Training (IET)
- Workforce Pell and innovative funding strategies
- Pathways for emerging and evolving industries
Building Pathways for Learner Success
Career pathways succeed when learners have access to the guidance, resources, and supports needed to navigate education and employment transitions. This strand emphasizes learner-centered strategies that help individuals persist, complete, and advance.
- Career coaching, advising, and navigation
- Career awareness and exploration
- Supporting adult learners and career changers
- Holistic and wraparound support services
- Recruitment, persistence, and retention strategies
- Supporting special populations and underserved learners
Examples are illustrative and not intended to be all-inclusive. NCPN welcomes proposals that align with the conference theme and Framework for Career Pathways Alignment while addressing emerging issues and innovative practices.
Why Present?
The career pathways field is evolving quickly and practitioners across the country are looking for proven strategies that deliver results. Presenting at NCPN CONNECT 2027 gives you the opportunity to share your expertise with a national audience of educators, employers, workforce leaders, and policymakers committed to expanding talent, opportunity, and economic growth.
Whether you are leading an innovative program, building effective partnerships, improving learner outcomes, or responding to emerging workforce needs, your experience can help others strengthen career pathways in their own communities. Presenting is an opportunity to showcase your work, exchange ideas with peers, build valuable connections, and contribute to the national conversation on what works.
Dates to Remember
| Proposal Deadline | Oct 16 |
| Approval Notification | Nov 6 |
| Presenter Registration | by Dec 11 to secure discounted rate |
Requirements and Recommendations
- All presenters are required to register and complete payment by Dec 11 to secure the discounted presenter registration rate.
- Presenters must arrange and pay for their own travel and lodging.
- Presenters must agree to present in person on the day assigned.
- Presenters are responsible for providing copies of their handouts and other supporting materials.
For-Profit Presenters
Presentations by vendors or for-profit consultants must include at least one practitioner (product user) as co-presenter. Presenting companies must purchase an exhibit booth.
Questions?
Email us at NCPN@ncpn.info