The Department of Education opened a $15 million competition to seed statewide 'Talent Marketplaces' that digitally track credentials, employment records and skills and selected up to 10 awardees for funding and technical assistance. Acting assistant secretary Nick Moore said the marketplaces aim to better match learners with jobs and expand recognition of prior learning at scale. Lawmakers and policymakers simultaneously reached a bipartisan consensus to expand Workforce Pell—extending Pell Grant support to short workforce programs—while debate continues over an earnings test and accountability metrics that will determine program design and funding flows.