SkillPointe.com is the name of the solution

SkillPointe is a technology platform designed to close the skills gap by offering a simple visual quiz that connects workers to training programs, financial support, and resources through SkillPointeFoundation.org. It helps workers boost their wages while meeting employers' demand for skilled talent.

Our mission is to increase opportunities for diverse groups, including women, to enter skilled trades and explore paths to self-employment, with support from community colleges.

At SkillPointe, we simplify career transitions and advancement for individuals seeking new opportunities by offering practical tools and resources to guide their journey. Our platform empowers users to:

• Explore in-demand, skills-based careers tailored to their interests and abilities.
• Find training programs available anywhere in the U.S., connecting them with the education they need to succeed.
• Secure financial support and access additional services to remove barriers to their career growth through our affiliated skillpointefoundation.org partnership.

We bridge the gap between students and employers by providing clear career pathways and focusing on skills that fill specific, high-demand roles. Our mission is to address the workforce challenges faced by industries across the country while empowering individuals to build meaningful, sustainable careers

By partnering with community colleges and leveraging technology, SkillPointe ensures that students can easily navigate their options, acquire critical skills, and connect with employers seeking qualified talent. Whether someone is starting their first career, transitioning to a new field, or looking to upskill, SkillPointe is a free resource.

18%  Ages 35-44                                 48% Women                        46% White

31%  Ages 25-34                                 52% Men                              27%  Black

26%  Ages 18-24                                                                                       14%  Hispanic / Latino

                                                                                                                13%  Other

Our team is uniquely positioned to deliver the SkillPointe solution due to our extensive experience, proven track record, and strong organizational foundation. SkillPointe.com has been operational for four years and has become a trusted resource for connecting individuals with in-demand, skills-based career opportunities. Since becoming a subsidiary of NACCE one year ago, we have gained the strategic support of an organization with over 20 years of experience in workforce development, entrepreneurship, and career exploration. We are currently conducting a pilot with 15 community colleges to identify operational efficiencies to help us to scale to more colleges.

NACCE’s dedicated team of 15 fulltime employees with a dedicated Director of SkillPointe is deeply committed to helping individuals find workforce solutions that improve their lives and support economic growth. With a strong focus on skill advancement through upskilling, reskilling, and new skill initiatives, SkillPointe addresses critical gaps in today’s labor market. We provide individuals with the tools and resources needed to succeed in a rapidly changing economy, while also assisting employers in filling high-demand roles with skilled talent and helping colleges drive enrollment.

Additional funding would allow us to expand our reach through targeted digital campaigns, raising awareness and connecting even more career explorers with the training and support they need, with support for our national School Counselors Advisory Committee that meets monthly. With our established platform, a history of delivering results, and the passion and expertise of the NACCE team, we are well-equipped to scale this solution and make a lasting impact on workforce development nationwide.

We selected the Scale stage of development because SkillPointe has established a robust technology platform that currently reaches approximately 40,000 career explorers each month, demonstrating significant traction in connecting individuals with in-demand career pathways. This reach underscores our ability to grow and serve even more communities across the U.S. and beyond.

However, from a business-to-business (B2B) perspective, SkillPointe is still in the Pilot stage as we work to solidify a sustainable business model that aligns with NACCE’s mission and financially supports our operations. Our platform's growth is driven by continuous research and development, ensuring our solutions remain efficient and impactful for users. Additionally, we are actively exploring new revenue streams to enhance our financial stability of SkillPointe while staying true to NACCE’s mission.

As a premier technology solution, SkillPointe is positioned to scale domestically and expand internationally, offering the same high-quality support and resources to a global audience. By leveraging our existing success and focusing on innovation, we are committed to broadening our impact and reaching more individuals and organizations in need of workforce solutions.

www.skillpointe.com

Skillpointe.com is a premier career exploration site and training search engine for individuals seeking rewarding, skills-based careers that are both in-demand and high-paying. The platform is highly accessible and has received 7,300 referrals from Google Classroom, which is a testament to how well the platform has been adopted by teachers and counselors. As of September of 2024, SkillPointe has had 1.8 million visits, referred 87,769 potential students to relevant training programs and helped career explorers with a unique array of exclusive tools, including:

• Career exploration centered on 80 in-demand pathways to meaningful, quality jobs with high-earnings potential.
• A fast, mobile-friendly, career-matching quiz.
• A unique training search engine with 59,000+ training programs and Earn + Learn opportunities which are searchable by career pathway, postal code, and program type. A tool to address job seekers’ questions about licenses and certifications in all fifty states.

Our impact goals are measured by website traffic and activity. The two most relevant are:

1) the number of sessions where informational pages, including 80 career pages, news and advice, and financial resources are viewed.

2) the number of training referrals which connect our users with local training resources via a database of 59,000+ programs, credentials, and Earn + Learn opportunities offered at 1,250 training providers across all 50 states and portions of Canada.  Our primary focus has been community colleges. 

This technology is proven to work because, in 2024, SkillPointe partnered with the Ratcliffe Foundation to pilot its services at 15 community colleges. The pilot's success led to an invitation for NACCE to propose expanding the program for 2025–2030. This is part of our ongoing R&D, with results documented for future publication.

The SkillPointe team includes two full-time employees dedicated to its operations and growth, along with six NACCE staff members who contribute to various SkillPointe responsibilities, such as program management, outreach, and partnership development. Additionally, we collaborate with a specialized marketing and communications firm to expand our reach and build brand awareness. A skilled developer supports the platform's technological needs, ensuring seamless functionality and continuous improvement. We also engage other contractors as needed for specific projects, enabling us to scale efficiently and address emerging needs. This dynamic team ensures SkillPointe remains impactful and continues to grow its national presence.

SkillPointe has been in development for four years, with over $6 million invested by its founders. NACCE accepted the platform as a charitable donation one year ago and has since worked to integrate it into its membership network. In 2025, NACCE plans to invest $200,000 to expand its impact, with additional funding needed to scale nationwide.

At NACCE/SkillPointe, we are committed to fostering inclusivity and pathways to prosperity within our team and operations. We prioritize hiring individuals from diverse backgrounds and perspectives to ensure our team reflects the communities we serve. This approach enhances our ability to develop solutions that address the needs of a broad range of our members and SkillPointe users.

To minimize barriers to opportunity, we offer flexible work arrangements, professional development opportunities, and clear pathways for advancement, ensuring all team members can thrive regardless of their circumstances. We actively seek feedback to identify and address any challenges that may hinder inclusivity or equity within the workplace.

Our culture emphasizes respect, collaboration, and innovation, creating a welcoming environment where every team member feels valued and supported. By embedding these principles in our hiring practices, team interactions, and strategic decisions, we aim to cultivate a workplace that not only supports diversity but also leverages it as a strength to drive meaningful impact through our mission.

Your Business Model & Funding

NACCE operates under a diversified business model funded by membership dues, revenue from events, and grants. These funding streams enable the organization to support its mission of fostering entrepreneurship and workforce development through its network of community colleges. Since 2015, NACCE's organizational budget has grown significantly, from $1 million to $12.5 million in 2024, demonstrating strong financial health and expansion.

SkillPointe, a division of NACCE, was initially funded through a charitable donation and operates on a subscription model. However, many community colleges are unable to afford the $7,000 yearly subscription fee. Donations from foundations have covered dozens of subscriptions and we hope to expand that pool of funding. This model allows colleges to pay for Google Ads campaigns, driving prospective students to their training programs. With an annual budget of $520,000, 

SkillPointe’s business model is evolving to better address market needs and capitalize on emerging opportunities. Initially, the model focused on selling subscriptions to community colleges for training referrals to boost enrollments. However, this proved challenging due to long sales cycles and limited discretionary budgets in higher education.

We are transitioning to a more diversified model that includes promotional opportunities for corporate sponsors and partnerships with foundations to create community impact. This approach aligns with SkillPointe’s mission to bridge the gap between employer needs and workforce skills while creating sustainable revenue streams.

Our key customers include individuals exploring skills-based careers, employers seeking qualified workers, and community colleges aiming to boost enrollments. SkillPointe provides them with career-matching tools, access to training programs, and workforce insights. These products and services are delivered through a user-friendly digital platform, supported by educational content such as online courses, webinars, and industry videos.

Employers benefit from SkillPointe by gaining access to a pipeline of skilled workers, while career explorers and students are connected to high-demand pathways and training programs. This model not only addresses workforce challenges but also creates opportunities for individuals to enhance their skills and secure better-paying jobs.

By aligning with corporate sponsors and foundation partners, we aim to scale our impact, enhance the platform’s reach, and continue innovating to meet evolving workforce demands. NACCE is part of the SMART USA semi-conductor research project which will launch in 2025 and scale over the next five years. The plan is to bring 100 community colleges onto the SkillPointe platform with a paid subscription to support advertising.

Our plan for financial sustainability involves diversifying revenue streams through corporate sponsorships, foundation partnerships, and targeted digital campaigns to expand our reach. We are transitioning from a subscription-based model to a more scalable approach that includes promotional opportunities for sponsors and enhanced community impact.

Evidence of success includes the strong adoption of our platform, with 1.8 million visits and nearly 88,000 referrals to training programs as of 2024. Additionally, NACCE’s overall budget growth from $1 million in 2015 to $12.5 million in 2024 demonstrates our ability to scale and manage sustainable initiatives effectively.

We are applying to the Truist Foundation Inspire Awards to expand SkillPointe’s impact by raising awareness of SkillPointe nationally and addressing critical workforce challenges and empowering individuals to access high-demand, skills-based careers. This funding opportunity aligns with our mission to advance entrepreneurial mindset and to close the skills gap, connect career explorers with training and financial resources, and help employers find skilled talent.

With support from the Truist Foundation, we aim to scale our platform nationally, enhance our digital outreach, and create innovative tools that make career navigation more accessible for diverse populations. This partnership would allow us to deepen our community impact and contribute meaningfully to economic mobility and workforce development.