April 21, 2026. New York, New York: Corporation for a Skilled Workforce (CSW), with funding from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, is upgrading the Workforce Benchmarking Network (WBN) National Survey platform from a limited use, manual database into a scalable, Salesforce-based learning infrastructure. These changes will drive continuous improvement at the provider level, and systems change at the workforce policy level.
The WBN National Survey houses the largest cross-program dataset on workforce services, participants, and outcomes in the country, with data representing more than 500 programs collectively serving more than 200,000 participants. The WBN National Survey collects standardized, aggregate data from workforce organizations on participant characteristics, services delivered, employer engagement, and outcomes such as completion, credential attainment, placement, retention, and wages.
The modernization of the WBN National Survey brings significant benefits. For practitioners, survey modernization will make the data entry process less onerous and allow for a host of new data comparison and visualization features. For funders, the upgraded survey will enable a more nuanced understanding of what works, for whom, and under what conditions. For the field, the survey’s strengthened analytic and reporting capabilities will help to effectively surface field-level trends, elevate effective practices, and inform policy discussions with credible, comparative evidence.
Platform development, data migration and the piloting of the new, Salesforce-based platform leveraging Tableau’s advanced analytics and interactive dashboards will be completed in Summer of 2026. This process, like previous WBN modernization efforts, will be designed with input from practitioners, funders, and policymakers seeking to position the survey as an instrument for public good that can support individual program and systems-level learning.
Alex Breen, Senior Policy Associate at CSW, emphasizes the transformative nature of this update: “the WBN National Survey helps to turn guesswork into goal setting, empowering practitioners to use their data to prove impact, celebrate success, and allocate resources strategically. I couldn’t be more excited to introduce a new platform that will deepen the survey’s impact and widely expand its use case.”
“We’re thrilled to partner with the Corporation for a Skilled Workforce to help reimagine the Workforce Benchmarking Network National Survey,” said Ranita Jain, a senior associate at the Annie E. Casey Foundation. “Our investment will help CSW develop a more agile platform that will inform and support workforce program leaders and provide the field clearer insights into what’s working and for whom across workforce strategies driving economic mobility.”
“If we’re going to make the case for sustained workforce investment, we have to back it up with strong, transparent data. The modernization of the WBN National Survey gives providers a clearer picture of their outcomes and gives funders and policymakers the confidence to invest with purpose,” said Gregory J Morris, CEO of the New York City Employment and Training Coalition (NYCETC). “This is about learning. Learning sharpens execution, and over time, that learning produces validation. When the field has credible, comparable data, we move from anecdotes to evidence and from pilot programs to durable systems—scaling the strategies that reliably connect people to middle-wage careers.”
“When the first WBN survey results were released over ten years ago, it was groundbreaking for our field. Now, with this modernization, it will be transformational — not only for workforce development practitioners and funders, but most importantly for job seekers. Having real-time, accessible data at our fingertips will ensure that those breaking through barriers to employment remain at the center of our work and will hold us accountable to building programs that are both equitable and impactful” said Galiana G. Fajardo, Senior Principal of Redefine Alliance.
If you are interested in learning more about the WBN modernization process, please contact Alex Breen at abreen@skilledwork.org.
About Corporation for a Skilled Workforce (CSW): Corporation for a Skilled Workforce (CSW) is a national workforce policy non-profit that partners with government, business, education, and community leaders to cultivate good jobs and the skilled workers to fill them. Since 1991, CSW has catalyzed change in educational and labor market systems, focusing on scalable improvements in worker skills, job quality, and access to opportunity. CSW provides services across five strategy areas: Competencies & Credentials; Improving Practices & Outcomes; Federal, State, & Local Systems Change; Research & Evaluation; and Trauma & Resilience at Work. CSW advances policies and practices which increase economic mobility, particularly for people of color and others historically excluded from success.
About the Annie E. Casey Foundation: The Annie E. Casey Foundation is a private philanthropy that creates a brighter future for the nation’s children and youth by developing solutions to strengthen families, build paths to economic opportunity and transform struggling communities into safer and healthier places to live, work and grow. For more information, visit the Foundation’s website.
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