News and Insights

National Pathways Initiative Holds Summit in D.C.

May 8, 2025

Nearly 78 million jobs are expected to be created in the United States by 2030, yet studies show that skill gaps remain one of the biggest barriers for employers. Despite the projected growth, there remains a disconnect between what employers need and the skills and knowledge of the workforce. A recent poll of students, teachers, parents, and employers found that most believe high schools aren’t doing enough to prepare students for future careers.

This can only be solved by one thing: stronger alignment between our education and workforce systems. 

The FINN Global Education team is proud to be a sponsor and the communications partners for the second National Pathways Summit, hosted this week in Washington, D.C., at Gallaudet University.  Amidst the challenges and chaos of the last few years in education, it is encouraging to see a long list of bipartisan leaders, including governors, congressional leaders, business and industry leaders, educators, students, and advocates come together to examine the many promising and proven pathways that are being piloted, replicated, and scaled across the nation. 

The need for better alignment between education and the workforce has long been known, and today’s young people are eager for educational opportunities that provide hands-on, career-relevant education. This is especially true when those opportunities align with the guarantee of a good-paying job. 

But how do we get there? Some solutions will be highlighted at the National Pathways Summit.

Educators need a roadmap to connect with employers in their communities and integrate career preparation into classrooms. Education-to-career pathways need to be available to all learners. Local leaders and policymakers must acknowledge and fulfill their role in removing barriers for strong, clear pathways. Without consistent alignment, funding, and supportive policy frameworks, students’ choices and opportunities for the future will be limited or out of reach.

Preparing our nation’s learners for the workforce is a bipartisan issue, something most can agree on even through political divides. By working together across sectors and party lines, there’s an opportunity to bring together key constituents to develop viable solutions.

 The National Pathways Summit demystifies how to align education and training with employers’ needs, showcases successful initiatives from states and nonprofits, explores the role of industry partnerships and community, and delves deeper into industries that could benefit most from new models.

Facilitated by Gio Harvey, President, SUNY Student Assembly & SUNY Trustee at the University of Albany, attendees will hear from a national coalition of student leaders on how pathways directly impact their navigation of unprecedented challenges, and what should be considered for system changes, along with the unfiltered real-world impact of initiatives in effectively supporting students.

Leaders from top health systems and educational institutions will share new models for building sustainable pipelines into healthcare careers. Bloomberg Philanthropies, a client of the FINN Global Education Practice, will share their initiative—career-technical education healthcare-focused high schools— that are redefining career readiness in the healthcare system. 

To close the summit, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar will talk about the American Apprenticeship Act, a bill aimed at expanding access to high-quality, paid apprenticeship programs across the country. She will underscore the growing bipartisan commitment, following remarks from champions on both sides of the aisle, including Senator John Hickenlooper and Governors Wes Moore (MD), Spencer Cox (UT), Mark Gordon (WY), and Kathy Hochul (NY), who are all driving momentum in apprenticeships across the nation. 

Convenings like the National Pathways Summit are critical for uplifting solutions. We applaud the National Pathways Initiative for leading these important discussions and spotlighting the myriad creative solutions that bring opportunity to all. 

To learn more about the Summit event, visit https://nationalpathwaysinitiative.org/.