How Data Systems Can Do More To Advance Economic Mobility

In a rapidly evolving labor market, skills have become the new currency. However, the lack of an effective system to account for and validate these skills hampers the potential of a skills-first economy. The report "How Advanced Data Systems Can Do More to Drive Economic Mobility," published by the Burning Glass Institute, explores how Learning and Employment Records (LERs) could transform the job market by providing a standardized, digital method for workers to document and communicate their skills.

While promising, skills-based hiring remains underutilized due to insufficient infrastructure for verifying skills. The report advocates for the development of LER systems that not only track skills but also create career pathways, identify skill gaps, and flag emerging trends. LERs have the potential to enhance economic mobility by providing a more inclusive labor market that recognizes non-traditional learning paths, ultimately benefiting workers, employers, and policymakers. This paper highlights the potential for LER systems to unlock talent pools, bridge gaps between education and employment, and contribute to regional economic development.