WIOA defines career pathways as a combination of rigorous and high-quality education, training, and other services that—
- aligns with skill needs of industries in state and regional economies (Element 1);
- prepares individuals to be successful in a full range of secondary and postsecondary education options (Element 2);
- includes academic and career counseling, as well as non-academic supports (Element 3);
- includes, as appropriate, education offered concurrently with and in the same context as occupational training (Element 4);
- organizes education, training, and other services to meet individual needs in a way that accelerates educational and career advancement (Element 5);
- enables individuals to attain a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent, and at least one recognized postsecondary credential (Element 6); and
- helps individuals to enter or advance within a specific occupation or occupational cluster (Element 7).
Source: Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, Pub. L. 113–128, July 22, 2014, 128 Stat. 1425, Sec. 3(7). Element numbers added by authors.