FWD THINKING From the Field

Launched in 2023, SkillsFWD is dedicated to advancing a skills-based future through the development of interoperable Learning and Employment Record (LER) ecosystems. Through SkillsFWD, a cohort of seven grantees received $700,000-1.4 million each to implement innovative projects to enhance digital credentialing, supporting lifelong learning and workforce mobility.

SkillsFWD grantees work closely with evaluators from Eastern Washington University and the Manhattan Strategy Group. They document progress and reflect on lessons learned through monthly meetings, team meetings, action plans, and quarterly reports. These ongoing analyses inform best practices, highlight emerging trends, and contribute to broader efforts in digital credentialing and workforce development.

FWD THINKING synthesizes key findings from our first year of research and discovery reporting (April 2024 through March 2025), highlighting areas of promising progress, challenges encountered, and actionable insights for the field. Each section summarizes findings from each quarter, demonstrating how projects have progressed and evolved over time.

Read the full report to explore more of our impact, along with other skills-based hiring resources.