How C-BEN and the Alabama Talent Triad are propelling equitable work opportunities

The Competency Based Education Network (C-BEN), an inaugural SkillsFWD grantee and nonprofit focused on what learners know and can do, is leading the charge alongside Alabama Talent Triad to advance skills-based hiring and the use of learning and employment records (LERs). 

The Alabama workforce development system has developed a statewide platform aimed at connecting residents with employment opportunities. By leveraging skills-based hiring and integrating LER frameworks, the triad aims to foster more equitable learning opportunities while effectively addressing labor market needs. Together, both groups aspire to help residents acquire the skills, training and services needed to experience lifelong learning. 

We recently had a conversation with Amber Garrison Duncan, executive vice president of C-BEN, to learn more about the program’s latest discoveries and discuss the organization’s strategy for expanding competency-based learning modules nationwide. 

The Alabama Talent Triad is one of the most established efforts to elevate skills-based hiring at a state level. What are some important lessons the team has learned so far? 

Garrison Duncan: The beauty of what we've been able to do in Alabama is approach skills-based hiring comprehensively and design with everyone simultaneously. We didn't approach educators, employers or learners separately — we engaged them all in the platform design and pilot process. That’s been really critical for each group. 

The Talent Triad’s approach has been described as ‘scrappy’ and ‘agile.’ What additional qualities do you believe are important for the success of building a skills-based hiring ecosystem? 

Garrison Duncan: The secret sauce is that we’re building a common language across providers and it is governed by the state. We're using rich, employer-driven data that’s been vetted for quality and it is a monumental lift. We’re designing with people and have utilized student’s input. I think our technology partner, EBSCO, has done a great good job listening to the employer and learner voice. We hope to connect people in the ways they want to be connected and that requires making changes along the way.  

What are the primary challenges your SkillsFWD project team anticipates encountering in 2024?

Garrison Duncan: About 19,000 people are on the platform, that’s huge. 

It’s no longer a matter of, ‘can we produce,’ but how do we help the ecosystem use a newly produced tool to guarantee mobility. Our project is focused on helping people obtain credentials. We’re showcasing available positions, salaries, learning opportunities and options for what works best for each individual. We want to put the right information in front of people and move them along a path of upskilling and mobility as quickly as possible. 

What aspect of the work do you believe is commonly misunderstood and requires deeper comprehension? 

Garrison Duncan: We can't talk about skills-based hiring and not actually change anything. Alabama recognized that the state had a role in facilitating this transition. It will take investment from ecosystem partners and the state as a facilitator. Also, there’s significant governance involved. 

SkillsFWD: Let's talk about partnerships. What are you looking forward to learning or gaining from the broader SkillsFWD community? 

Garrison Duncan: Interoperability across multiple projects. Right now, Alabama is out in front but they don't want to be on an island. They recognize this is something that should happen in a lot of different places and across provided platforms. I think we'll also continue to develop a deeper understanding of employer perspectives and how LERs are consumed in hiring systems. Different employers, even in the same state, can have different behaviors. We should expect different communities to showcase different practices. 

What additional information is important to share at this time? 

Garrison Duncan: A lot of our conversations thus far have been tech-heavy, as we’ve been fine tuning the technical portions. However, we’re still very much focused on connecting people. 

It’s important not to over-engineer this. There is no perfect way to approach skills-based hiring right now. We must learn alongside those who are using the platform we’ve built in order to shape functionality and then allow technology to enable that.