Designed as a lead-in to the 2026 Future Forward Summit, this virtual series builds shared understanding of statewide priorities, elevates real-world examples, and creates sustained momentum heading into the convening on April 30.
What the Series Will Cover
Each webinar will focus on a key lever for strengthening education-to-career pathways in Tennessee, grounded in both statewide priorities and practical implementation. Across the series, participants will:
- Explore how accelerated and aligned pathways can expand economic opportunity for students.
- Learn from state and national leaders who are advancing innovative pathway models.
- Examine how policy, practice, and partnerships intersect to support student success.
Thursday, Mar. 19, 12-1 p.m. CT | Virtual
Webinar: Workforce Pell and the Opportunity of Nondegree Pathways
The second webinar in our Future Forward Series will focus on how Workforce Pell can create new opportunities to advance Tennessee’s education-to-career pathways and expand access to nondegree credentials.
Workforce Pell is a new federal expansion of the Pell Grant program that will provide financial aid for high-quality short-term workforce training programs. For many Tennesseans, this change could open the door to faster, more flexible pathways to high-wage, in-demand skills, and credentials aligned with workforce needs.
During this webinar, SCORE will present insights about the increasing popularity and opportunity of nondegree credentials while elevating the significance of the Workforce Pell program. Attendees will hear about the program’s components and the role this initiative can play in advancing nondegree credential pathways to economic opportunity and setting up Tennessee for long-term success. The presentation will be followed by a facilitated conversation with national thought leaders examining how states can implement Workforce Pell effectively and ensure programs deliver real value for learners and employers.
Participants will gain insight into:
- What Workforce Pell is and program details
- How Workforce Pell can expand access to high-quality short-term programs
- What defines strong, high-value nondegree credentials
- How providers and employers can learn to better align programs with workforce demand
- The implementation strategies that can help increase credential attainment in in-demand, high-wage fields
Confirmed speakers include:
- Dr. Stuart Andreason, Executive Director of Programs, Burning Glass Institute
- Dr. Preston Cooper, Senior Fellow, American Enterprise Institute
Past Webinar: Reimagining High School for Economic Opportunity
Watch a recording of the webinar.
Download the webinar slide deck.
The first webinar in the series focused on reimagining high school to better connect students to workforce opportunities.
The session introduced Tennessee’s vision for how early postsecondary opportunities (EPSOs), expanded work-based learning, and industry-recognized credentials of value — paired with individualized advising — serve as critical building blocks for strong, coherent pathways.
Participants explored how these strategies can help students earn college credit, credentials, and career-relevant experience while still in high school, supporting smoother transitions into postsecondary education and the workforce. A panel of state and national leaders involved in this work offered insights into how we can design and scale pathways that deliver real value for students and employers alike.
Featured Speakers
- Deborah Knoll, Assistant Commissioner of Postsecondary, Workforce, CTE, and Military Readiness, Tennessee Department of Education
- Scott Laband, President, Colorado Succeeds
- Dr. Scott Langford, Superintendent, Sumner County Schools
- Presented and moderated by: Mary Cypress Metz, Senior Vice President of Strategy, SCORE