This brief examines how four community colleges in the Advancing Community Equity and Upward Mobility (ACE-UP) Community of Practice engage with employers to promote equitable access to and support along career pathways for students, especially students who are underrepresented in college programs or particular occupations and careers.

College staff shared how relationships with local employers and industry partnerships have supported students through career exploration, expanded job networks, and work-based learning opportunities. One way colleges work with employers is through advisory boards and industry partnerships, which provide an efficient and coordinated way to understand hiring requirements, promote access, and change employer practices. This brief also discusses the challenges associated with building and strengthening employer relationships, including limited bandwidth of employers, stigma around apprenticeship, and insufficient data on the value of employer and industry partnerships and equity advancement strategies. Opportunities exist to further understand how colleges can use employer engagement as a tool for closing equity gaps for underrepresented groups, filling talent gaps in regional labor markets, and creating more inclusive workplaces.