The Match Opportunity: Designing Early Talent Initiatives that Work for All
Charlie Cornish (American Apprenticeships Work), Megan Hougard (Chicago Public Schools)
Co-Facilitators: Rebecca Agostino (Prentix), Nick Brenner (City Colleges of Chicago)
There’s no shortage of momentum behind early talent. Employers want stronger pipelines, education partners are building pathways, and learners are eager for real opportunities. And yet, too often, these efforts fall short. When programs miss, both employers and learners disengage and the ecosystem loses.
This interactive session introduces the Workforce Solutions Ladder, a practical framework to help employers and education partners make smarter early talent investments. Together, we’ll explore how to assess readiness on both sides, identify where different work-based learning models fit, and avoid costly mismatches—especially with apprenticeships.
You’ll walk away with:
- A clear framework for when—and when not—to launch early talent initiatives
- A practical lens for assessing employer and learner readiness
- Insight into what makes an apprenticeship truly set up for success
Join peers across the ecosystem to design early talent strategies that build momentum—not attrition.