Essential Question 20

About this Essential Question

This question examines access to employment opportunities that provide economic stability and growth potential. Success in the workforce depends on multiple factors, including skill alignment, career preparation, and labor market conditions. Early career placement and advancement opportunities can significantly impact long term economic mobility. Workforce development leaders, education providers, and employers can use this question to understand employment outcomes, assess career preparation programs, and develop strategies to strengthen education-to-career pathways.

Probing Questions

Use these probing questions to dive deeper on the essential question or approach it through a different lens. Feel free to adapt these questions further or come up with your own.  

• How do community members and workforce development organizations define a “quality job” (for example, in terms of wages, benefits, and career advancement opportunities)? How, if at all, do postsecondary institutions and workforce agencies define and measure job quality?  
• How do rates of employment, job quality, economic mobility, and economic security vary based on where individuals live? How do they vary by age group, occupation category, and/or dislocated worker status?
• How do different dimensions of job quality—such as pay, benefits, and workplace safety—vary by industry or occupation category?
• What system policies, practices, and conditions help or hinder individuals’ economic outcomes? For example, consider postsecondary institutional practices (such as available advising and career pathway programs), employer partnerships with career and technical education programs, or the availability of workforce development programs.
• How might we help all individuals secure quality jobs that offer economic mobility and security? What policies or conditions could be improved? Who needs to be involved?