What is the Academy?
The Data User Insights Academy is a collaborative learning environment in which state-based teams of data producers (state LMI agencies) and data users come together over a 9-month period—in-person and virtually—to identify opportunities to build closer relationships as well as work on addressing specific challenges related to the use and communication of LMI data in their state.
State teams are provided with a team of experienced facilitators as well ongoing technical assistance and subject matter expert support. Each team will work at their own pace alongside teams from other states going through the same process, creating the opportunity for peer learning and cross-state coordination.
By the end of the process, teams will have identified and begun implementing initiatives, policy innovations, and models of collaboration that lead to improved data sharing and communication between producers and users.
Lessons Learned
From developing new data dashboards to launching local engagement strategies and training programs, each state team made incredible progress over the last nine months towards greater alignment, communication, and collaboration. LMI teams quickly learned that many data users in the workforce system weren’t aware of their existing data products and services. As a result, every state has taken new steps to increase outreach and open lines of communication with data users.
Cohort 1 (July 2024 – April 2025)
The first Academy cohort focused on building partnerships between state LMI agencies and state/local workforce agencies and boards in six states: Florida, Iowa, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
Read more about what teams from the first cohort accomplished here.
Cohort 2 (April 2025 – April 2026)
The second Academy cohort focused on building partnerships between state LMI agencies and community colleges in five states: Hawaii, Louisiana, New Jersey, South Carolina, and Washington.
Read more about what teams from the second cohort accomplished here.