About CORD
The Center for Occupational Research and Development (CORD) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to leading change in education.
Since 1979, we've been creating educational tools and innovative programs designed to empower faculty and prepare students for greater success in careers and higher education. We invite you to learn more about how CORD assists educators across the country and around the globe through:
- Curriculum design
- Customized teacher training
- Publications and resources
What We Offer
Our initiatives include workforce analysis, Career Pathways design, curriculum development, leader and practitioner training, program delivery, technical assistance, and research and evaluation.
Professional Development Workshops
CORD's broad range of professional development workshops can be customized to meet local, state, and regional need.
Career Pathways Technical Assistance
CORD partners with state and local teams to provide both broad and targeted support services for Career Pathways initiatives.
Curriculum Development
CORD has over thirty-five years of experience creating standards-based curriculum in mathematics, science, and technical fields.
National Career Pathways Network Conference
Join NCPN 2020 Virtual for inspiring keynotes and panels of experts on Career Pathways, CTE, and workforce and economic development.
Resources
CORD offers a broad range of textbooks, leadership books, whitepapers, and online publications. Career Pathways Resources • Contextual Teaching Materials
International Projects
CORD is a trusted partner of educators across the globe and has assisted practitioners in countries such as Brazil, Dominican Republic, Chile, Mexico, Malaysia, Philippines, and Turkey.
Project Spotlight
CORD provides innovative programs that prepare individuals for greater success in careers and higher education. CORD’s work has been broad in scope, yet focused on three core tenets: contextual teaching, seamless transitions from secondary to postsecondary education, and training solutions to help America’s technicians remain globally competitive.
Pathways to Credentials
Pathways to Credentials is an initiative of the US Department of Education's Office of Career Technical and Adult Education. The project is designed to assist community and technical colleges in their efforts to embed stackable, industry-recognized credentials within technical (CTE) associate degree programs. A cohort of 10 community colleges has been selected to receive customized technical assistance to advance their efforts in stackable credential design including components such as employer engagement, industry certification alignment, and non-credit/credit integration. Learn more.
Preparing Technicians for the Future of Work
Technology advances are changing industries at an unprecedented pace, demanding an ever expanding array of knowledge, skills, and abilities from technicians in the STEM disciplines. In recognition of the challenges that lie just ahead, CORD is leading the NSF project Preparing Technicians for the Future of Work. The project is launching regional activities in which industry partners, two-year colleges, and ATE community leaders will work together in transforming technician education at the associate degree level. Learn how this CORD-led NSF ATE initiative is preparing technicians for the workplace of tomorrow.