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AACRAO Facilitates the Southeastern Regional Talent Ecosystem Pilot, Supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

September 3, 2024
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: Mike Simmons
Associate Executive Director,
Business Development & Strategic Partnerships
Communications@aacrao.org 

 

AACRAO Facilitates the Southeastern Regional Talent Ecosystem Pilot, Supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 27, 2024) –

In a groundbreaking initiative to bridge the talent gap and enhance employment opportunities in the Southeastern United States, the states of Tennessee and Alabama have partnered to create an interoperable digital credential system for students and jobseekers in the Advanced Manufacturing sector. This project, facilitated by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) and funded in partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, marks a significant step forward in regional collaboration and workforce development.

The Southeastern Regional Talent Ecosystem Pilot aims to provide students and jobseekers in both Tennessee and Alabama the ability to seamlessly share their learning and employment records. The initiative leverages the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) Comprehensive Learner Record (CLR) ecosystem and Alabama's Talent Triad to create a more fluid and dynamic workforce across state borders.

Key Objectives of the Southeastern Regional Talent Ecosystem Pilot:

  1. Credential Portability: Graduates of Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) programs in Advanced Manufacturing will receive a digital credential in the form of a Comprehensive Learner Record (CLR). This digital credential can be stored in the learner’s Learning and Employment Wallet (TBR Cred Wallet), enhancing their ability to showcase their skills to potential employers.
  2. Cross-State Credential Exchange: The pilot allows a TCAT student residing in Alabama to create a MyEBSCOed wallet and seamlessly transfer their TCAT credential to it. Conversely, Alabama residents can transfer credentials from their MyEBSCOed wallet to their TCAT LER wallet, ensuring that credentials are recognized and valued on both sides of the state line.
  3. Technical Collaboration: EBSCOed and LevelData (formerly RANDA Solutions) leading innovators in digital learning solutions, will collaborate to develop the technical infrastructure necessary for the exchange of digital credentials between the MyEBSCOed and TBR LER wallets. This collaboration is key to ensuring the smooth operation and scalability of the initiative.

The proof of concept for this project will focus on determining the technical viability of exchanging advanced manufacturing credentials as CLRs between Tennessee and Alabama. The pilot will also explore the challenges of reciprocity between the TBR CLR system and the Alabama Talent Triad, with the ultimate goal of creating a robust and interoperable digital credential ecosystem.

Impact on the Workforce:

This partnership is poised to significantly impact the workforce in both states by providing learners with greater mobility and flexibility in showcasing their skills and credentials. As the demand for skilled workers in Advanced Manufacturing continues to grow, the Southeastern Regional Talent Ecosystem Pilot will play a crucial role in connecting qualified candidates with employers across state borders.

For more information, please contact: communications@aacrao.org


About AACRAO
AACRAO is a non-profit, voluntary, professional association working to make higher education more responsive to learners. With a membership of more than 15,000 higher education professionals at approximately 2,300 institutions in more than 40 countries, collectively representing over 16.5 million enrolled students, the association provides advocacy, research, and policy-based guidance and training to higher education professionals to smooth the path for learners at every stage of their journey.

About LevelData
LevelData is a leader in education data management solutions, specializing in providing tools that enhance the accuracy, reliability, and interoperability of educational data. Their collaboration in this pilot project is vital in ensuring that the exchange of digital credentials between Tennessee and Alabama is seamless and effective.