Duval County Public Schools – Bringing Workforce Readiness to Life

Duval County Public Schools knew they needed to better prepare students for life after high school—but launching a new credential in one of the nation’s largest districts is no small task.
Overburdened staff, competing priorities, and tight timelines could have easily stalled the effort.

That’s where Wirth Works came in. Previous experience with DCPS helped us with engaging employers, students, educators and administrators to co-design a Workforce Ready Credential pathway that built student skills incrementally from 8th through 12th grade. Our deep understanding of district culture ensured we shaped something practical, not aspirational—a solution that respected teachers' time and students’ needs.

The Duval Ready credential was approved unanimously and adopted immediately. In its first year alone, more than 600 students earned the distinction, equipped with real-world skills like teamwork and problem-solving—and employers continue to take notice.