Eight Counties Selected for National Career Readiness Initiative

National Association of Counties program will address workforce shortages, structural barriers to employment

WASHINGTON – The National Association of Counties (NACo) is pleased to announce the launch of its inaugural Counties for Career Success (C4CS) cohort featuring eight county teams committed to working collaboratively and streamlining pathways to higher education and employment:

• City and County of Honolulu, Hawai’i
• Maricopa County, Ariz.
• Lancaster County, Neb.
• Douglas County, Neb.
• Warren County, Ohio
• Hamilton County, Tenn.
• Howard County, Md.
• Saratoga County, N.Y.

The C4CS initiative aims to address national issues, including workforce shortages and structural barriers to employment, by leveraging the unique position of counties at the intersection of post-secondary education, workforce development and human services. By fostering cross-systems collaboration, county governments can connect residents with family-sustaining jobs that meet local industry needs.

“Counties are focused on expanding opportunities for our residents and businesses to thrive,” said NACo President Mary Jo McGuire. “The Counties for Career Success cohort will share proven practices to strengthen the local workforce and enhance partnerships for long-term community prosperity.”

The selected counties, representing a regionally and demographically diverse set of communities, have each identified three local leaders to participate in the program, representing post-secondary education, workforce development and human services organizations. Over the next year, they will deepen their understanding of career readiness through discussions with national subject matter experts and visits to successful programs in peer counties. Each team will identify a county-specific action plan designed to create lasting impacts on the local education and employment landscape.

To view all Counties for Career Success cohort members and learn more about the initiative, click here.