Workforce relevance design tenet

We heard from thousands of students in the 2026 Voice of the Online Learner and found that 95% of students are pursuing degrees not just for knowledge, but to advance their careers—whether that means landing a new job, earning a promotion, or gaining skills for a changing workforce. That’s why workforce relevance is a core design tenet. This resource outlines why this tenet is important, how you may implement it, and what QM standards are aligned. 

We ask course developers to consider:  

• What will students do with this degree?  
• How will this course help them achieve their professional goals?

Workforce relevance integrates real-world applications, current industry practices, and authentic assessments to prepare students for professional success. Embedding workforce skills and authentic tasks in course design enhances student engagement and employability, as students see direct connections between coursework and career readiness (Jackson & Bridgstock, 2021).   

By tackling real-world problems, students develop a deeper understanding of course material while also building collaborative and communication skills—key competencies for career success. This shift from passive learning (simply absorbing lectures) to active participation ensures students are prepared to meet the demands of today’s job market.

Strategies

We can implement workforce relevance in several ways

•  Incorporating varied types of learning like problem-based or scenario-based learning 
• Mirror workplace challenges through case studies, scenarios, and storytelling.
• Designing authentic assessments that require students to apply theory to practice. 
• Utilizing technologies common in the target workplace. 
• Updating course content regularly to reflect current industry standards and technologies. 

Designing for workforce relevance not only prepare students for real-world career success, but also addresses key elements that contribute to meeting standards outlined in QM standards. 

Standards directly impacted by this tenet are: 

• Specific Review Standard 3.1: The assessments measure the achievement of the stated learning objectives. 
• Specific Review Standard 3.4: The course includes multiple types of assessments that are sequenced and suited to the level of the course. 
• Specific Review Standard 4.5: Instructional materials are current and relevant. 
• Specific Review Standard 5.1: Learning activities promote achievement of learning objectives and outcomes.