America's Future-Ready
Workforce Challenge

A National Workforce Readiness, Economic Mobility & Workforce Hub Competition Building America's Workforce for the Age of AI, Cloud Computing, Advanced Manufacturing, Energy, and Digital Infrastructure

THE CHALLENGE

America stands at a pivotal moment.

Artificial Intelligence, cloud computing, advanced manufacturing, clean energy, data centers, cybersecurity, robotics, and automation are reshaping the economy at an unprecedented pace. Organizations across every sector are facing growing workforce shortages, evolving skills requirements, and increasing competition for talent.

At the same time, millions of Americans remain disconnected from economic opportunity, career pathways, industry-recognized credentials, apprenticeships, and high-growth careers.

The challenge is clear:

How do we prepare individuals, communities, employers, educators, and workforce systems for the future of work?

PREP4WORK® America’s Future-Ready Workforce Challenge™ was created to answer that question.

OUR MISSION

To identify, recognize, and support the most innovative workforce ecosystems, workforce hubs, educational institutions, employers, nonprofits, workforce boards, and communities preparing individuals for success in the future economy.

Our goal is simple:

Prepare 1 Million Americans for Future-Ready Careers.

What Is The Challenge?

The PREP4WORK® America’s Future-Ready Workforce Challenge™ is a national competition and workforce development initiative designed to:

• Accelerate workforce readiness

• Expand economic mobility

• Promote employer-connected learning

• Advance AI and digital skills• Strengthen workforce ecosystems

• Create new pathways into high-growth industries

• Recognize workforce innovation

• Establish a national network of Certified Workforce Hubs™

The Challenge creates a framework for measuring, showcasing, and scaling workforce excellence across the United States.Workforce readiness requires coordinated action among education, employers, workforce systems, and communities. National workforce experts continue to emphasize that future economic competitiveness depends on creating adaptable, skilled, and resilient talent pipelines.

WHY THIS MATTERS

The future workforce will require continuous learning, adaptability, digital literacy, and workforce readiness capabilities that extend beyond traditional training models. Research and workforce leaders increasingly point to AI readiness, digital skills, lifelong learning, and workforce resilience as critical factors shaping future economic competitiveness.

The organizations that invest in workforce readiness today will shape the economy of tomorrow.

Challenge Focus

PRIORITY INDUSTRIES

The Challenge supports workforce development across critical industries including:

• Artificial Intelligence

• Cloud Computing

• Data Centers

• Digital Infrastructure

• Cybersecurity

• Software Development

• Clean Energy

• Advanced Manufacturing

• Construction & Building Trades

• Healthcare

• Logistics & Supply Chain

• Transportation

• Semiconductor Manufacturing

• Utilities & Energy

• Robotics & Automation

CERTIFIED WORKFORCE HUBS™

At the center of the initiative is the development of a national network of:

Certified Workforce Hubs™

Certified Workforce Hubs™ are organizations that demonstrate excellence in:

• Workforce development

• Employer engagement

• Talent pipeline development

• Career readiness

• Apprenticeships

• Work-based learning

• Digital skills training

• Community impact

• Economic mobility

Potential Workforce Hub participants include:

• Community Colleges

• Workforce Development Boards

• American Job Centers

• Nonprofit Workforce Organizations

• Apprenticeship Programs

• Technical Training Providers

• Economic Development Organizations

• Workforce Intermediaries

• Employer-Led Training Programs

CHALLENGE CATEGORIES

Participants may compete in one or more categories.

Future-Ready Workforce Excellence

Recognizing organizations creating measurable workforce outcomes.

AI & Digital Skills Leadership

Preparing individuals for careers in AI, cloud computing, data analytics, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies.

Workforce Innovation Award

Recognizing breakthrough workforce solutions and scalable models.

Economic Mobility Impact Award

Demonstrating transformational impact on career advancement and income growth.

Employer Partnership Excellence

Building strong employer-connected talent pipelines.

Apprenticeship & Work-Based Learning Award

Creating direct pathways to employment.

Community Impact Award

Strengthening local workforce ecosystems and opportunity networks.

Workforce Hub of the Year

Recognizing the nation’s most impactful workforce hub.

A National Coalition

We are currently assembling a coalition of national employers, technology leaders, workforce innovators, foundations, and workforce ecosystem partners committed to preparing America’s workforce for the future.