The Competency-Based Education Network (C-BEN), a leader in redefining learning to demonstrate what people know and can do, has launched the Center for Skills by C-BEN (CFS x C-BEN). This ambitious initiative aims to transform the promise of a skills-based economy into a tangible reality.
Supported by Walmart, CFS x C-BEN leverages C-BEN’s expertise to develop and implement objective and reliable methods for assessing and validating skills. This will bridge the gap between education and the workforce, addressing the increasing demand for skills-based hiring.
Currently, many organizations and governments express interest in skills-based hiring, but the lack of effective skill validation methods hinders progress. UpSkill America, an initiative of the Aspen Institute, identified this as a key barrier for employers seeking to achieve their skills-based hiring goals.
CFS x C-BEN aims to establish the necessary infrastructure and consensus to fully realize the potential of skills-based practices. This will unlock economic mobility for millions of workers and learners who have been overlooked by traditional hiring practices.
CFS x C-BEN’s mission includes:
1. Conducting research on skills assessment and validation.
2. Developing assessment tools and resources for employers and educators.
3. Collaborating with cross-sector partners to promote skills-based practices.
4. Advocating for policies that support skills-based hiring and talent development.
Walmart’s Director of Corporate Philanthropy, Cindi Marsiglio, recognizes the readiness of businesses and states to embrace the skills-based movement. However, she emphasizes the need for quality assessments to accurately capture individuals’ unique skills and experiences. CFS x C-BEN’s contributions will be pivotal in accelerating the shift towards a skills-based economy.
CFS x C-BEN builds upon C-BEN’s initiatives focused on skills-based talent development. These include the performance-based assessments used in the early childhood education sector and the Learning and Employer Records (LERs) provided to over 19,000 individuals, linking job-seekers, employers, and education providers.
The launch of CFS x C-BEN is timely, coinciding with bipartisan efforts focused on skills-based strategies across the United States. Governors seek innovative strategies to address talent gaps and create new pathways to economic mobility. CFS x C-BEN represents a critical step in reimagining the role of assessment in building a strong and inclusive skills-focused economy.
CFS x C-BEN welcomes cross-sector partners, including SHRM Foundation, Upskill America, National Governors Association, and Education Design Lab, and invites others to join. ETS has become the first global assessment partner.
For more information on CFS x C-BEN, visit the website and register for the upcoming webinar.
