Assistant Secretary Blog on the Connecting Talent to Opportunity Challenge

Colleagues,

On January 13, 2026, the U.S. Department of Education launched the Connecting Talent to Opportunity (CTO) Challenge, which is a national call to action designed to strengthen the connections between learners and earners by accelerating the development of integrated, statewide Talent Marketplaces.

Learn more about this $15 million prize competition by reading OCTAE Acting Assistant Secretary Nick Moore’s Homeroom Blog, available here: https://www.ed.gov/about/homeroom-blog/connecting-talent-opportunity-national-challenge-build-talent-marketplaces.

To register for upcoming information sessions about the CTO Challenge, please visit: https://kaptivate.zoom.us/webinar/register/5317660794947/WN_pCml8PtGSJCxmm2jUWOSgw#/registration.