Built on our original research, data, and comprehensive employer-informed framework, Pathsmith™ is an ingredient brand that powers products and services like curriculum, assessments, professional development, skills-based hiring, professional upskilling, and Portraits of a Graduate.
The journey began in 2021 with a comprehensive analysis of over 80 million job postings, conducted with Lightcast, which identified 10 key durable skills universally valued across industries.
In partnership with CompTIA, a diverse group of subject matter experts from major employers helped define 110 competencies across four proficiency levels, laying the groundwork for the Pathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework. The framework was further refined through extensive feedback sessions, equity-centered research, and input from educators to ensure it meets the needs of both learners and employers. The result is a suite of tools designed to support skill validation and alignment across education and workforce systems.
Durable skills are more critical than ever in the age of AI, yet it’s never been a focus of education systems and they often lack the tools and resources to help students develop them effectively. This has led to persistent skills gaps, which impose a steep cost on the economy and act as a chronic barrier to economic mobility and equity.
Our 2025 analysis of over 75 million job postings reveals that 8 of the top 10 most in-demand skills are durable skills. They show up more often in high-skill, high-wage jobs, underscoring their importance in driving opportunity.
Want to know more? Explore our latest research.
