Unlocking the Future of Work–with Career Maps and the Career Map Collective‍

At WhereWeGo, we believe that clear, accessible career pathways are the foundation of a thriving workforce. Too often, workers navigate the labor market without reliable guidance on how to advance, transition, or break into emerging industries. Employers, educators, and policymakers struggle to align training opportunities with workforce needs. That’s why we’re launching the Career Map Collective (CMC)—a new initiative to map out real, data-driven career pathways that empower both workers and employers.

What Are Career Maps?

Career maps provide a structured visualization of how individuals can move from one role to another based on skills, education, and industry needs. Unlike traditional career advice, which often focuses narrowly on degree-based progression, career maps account for diverse routes into high-opportunity jobs—whether through apprenticeships, certifications, on-the-job training, or skill-based hiring.

The Career Map Collective is working to build a nationwide framework for career mapping that addresses four key challenges:

1. Mapping Real Career Pathways in Emerging Industries

Industries like renewable energy are growing rapidly, but the pathways to enter and advance within them remain unclear. By charting real-world career trajectories in emerging fields, we provide clarity for job seekers and help workforce organizations align training with market demand. WhereWeGo’s training program data, which includes thousands of career training programs across industries, enables us to create career maps grounded in real opportunities. Whether someone is transitioning from construction into solar panel installation or from electrical work into wind turbine maintenance, we map out the steps that make these transitions possible.

2. Supercharging Regional Workforce Development

Regions across the U.S. struggle with mismatches between job opportunities and workforce training. By systematically mapping out all available training programs, education pathways, and employer needs in a given area, we help policymakers and workforce boards make data-driven decisions. This kind of regional career mapping ensures that investments in workforce development are targeted, effective, and inclusive.

3. Supporting Career Transitions for Workers Seeking Higher Wages and Better Fit

Many workers find themselves stuck in jobs that don’t fully utilize their skills or offer long-term growth. Career maps can highlight alternative paths—based on skills, interests, and real-world labor market trends—that enable individuals to transition into better-paying, more fulfilling careers. This approach is particularly valuable for workers in industries undergoing automation or economic shifts, providing them with actionable next steps rather than uncertainty.

4. Helping Employers Create Internal Career Maps

Retention is one of the biggest challenges employers face today. Too often, workers leave because they don’t see a clear path for advancement within their organization. By mapping internal career pathways, employers can show workers how they can grow, reskill, or move into leadership roles within the company. This approach not only strengthens employee engagement but also helps businesses build a more resilient, skilled workforce that aligns with larger industry needs.

Career Maps: A Sustainable, Embeddable Platform

Career maps are not just a one-time initiative—they are a sustainable, embeddable platform designed to integrate into workforce systems, career services, and employer tools. The first version of the platform is launching in December 2025, and we are inviting partners to join us in shaping it from the ground up.

Apply for the Career Map Collective

The Career Map Collective is the start of a movement to make career navigation more transparent and equitable. By leveraging public and proprietary data, employer insights, and worker experiences, we’re building a tool that benefits job seekers, workforce organizations, and employers alike.

We are now accepting applications for participation in the Career Map Collective. Acceptance into the collective means you’ll have the opportunity to participate in the design and testing process throughout this year, providing feedback and shaping the platform before its official launch. As a member, you’ll also be among the first to launch a career map in December 2025, ensuring that your region, industry, or organization has a leading-edge workforce solution in place.

If you're an employer, training provider, or workforce development leader, we’d love to collaborate. Let’s build a future where every worker has a clear path to success, and every industry has the skilled workforce it needs to thrive.

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