Using Labor Market Information to Build Career-Connected Pathways
A practical guidebook to help colleges use labor market data to design career pathways aligned with regional workforce needs
Publication Title: “Using Labor Market Information to Build Career-Connected Pathways: Building Stronger Links Between Education and Workforce Opportunities”
Authors: Melissa Goldberg and Diamond Dickerson, DBA
Publication Date: April 2026
Suggested Citation: Goldberg, M., & Dickerson, D. (2026}. Using labor market information to build career-connected pathways: Building stronger links between education and work opportunities. University of Pittsburgh School of Education and Corporation for a Skilled Workforce.
Key Takeaways
What This Guide Does
This guide helps colleges and universities use labor market information (LMI) to build career-connected pathways that align education with real workforce demand. It translates data and research into practical, actionable guidance for faculty, advisors, curriculum designers, and administrators at any stage of pathway development.
How It’s Organized
The guide is built around three core areas: framing career-connected pathways using LMI as a shared institutional tool; implementing career-engaged student supports through advising, technology, and employer connections; and bridging academic programs to careers through curriculum redesign and faculty engagement. Each section includes real-world examples from colleges across the country.
Why It Matters
Students increasingly expect a clear return on their educational investment, and institutions face growing pressure to demonstrate workforce relevance. LMI gives colleges the evidence to meet those expectations — helping them identify high-demand fields, design programs that lead to quality jobs, and communicate value transparently to prospective students. The goal is not just data-informed decisions, but pathways that support long-term economic mobility for every learner.
