The University of Hawaiʻi has joined a national initiative to transform how students transition into the workforce. In partnership with the Hawaiʻi Workforce Funders Collaborative (HWFC), and supported by a $50,000 subgrant, the “Advancing Work-Based Learning Through Quality Coaching” project aims to ensure every resident has a clear path to a thriving local career.

The need is urgent. According to the 2025 Strada State Opportunity Index, only 18% of four-year students receive timely labor market information. To bridge this gap, a cross-sector coalition—including the State Workforce Development Council, Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻi P–20, and the Hawaiʻi Department of Education—will streamline career coaching and employer engagement, and focus on removing barriers for rural, Native Hawaiian and first-generation learners.

Statewide action plan

“Work-based learning and quality career coaching sit right at the intersection of education, economic mobility and talent retention,” said Christine Beaule, UH director of workforce development. “This initiative gives us the implementation structure and national expertise to move from a shared statewide vision to coordinated, scalable action.”

The initiative is led by the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association. Over two years, the coalition will develop a statewide action plan to remove systemic barriers and align education-to-career pathways with local economic needs.

“Hawaiʻi already has strong organizations doing important work in career navigation and work-based learning. This initiative gives us an opportunity to connect those efforts more intentionally as a system,” said HWFC Executive Director Matt Stevens. “HWFC can help convene partners, integrate workforce data and measurement into the process, and identify where targeted investment can strengthen the capacity needed to move a shared strategy forward.”

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