Legislation recently cosponsored by U.S. Rep. Blake Moore (R-UT) would authorize states to develop talent marketplaces, which are digital platforms that match workers to jobs and training based on verified skills, credentials, and experience.
The Modernizing Access to Talents, Credentials, and Hiring (MATCH) Act of 2026, H.R. 8183, which U.S. Rep. Burgess Owens (R-UT) sponsored on April 2, aims to transform America’s outdated workforce system by establishing such state-led talent marketplaces.
“America’s outdated workforce system relies on degrees and resumes and often fails to capture a worker’s actual skills and experience,” Rep. Moore said on April 9. “The MATCH Act supports state-led talent marketplaces and portable learning records.
“Allowing verified credentials will increase opportunities for workers and employers, added the congressman. “We should strive to match talent to jobs based on proven competencies rather than just paperwork, and this bill helps us get there.”
Specifically, H.R. 8183 would support the use of portable learning and employment records that allow workers to carry their verified skills and credentials across jobs, programs, and state lines, and create credential registries to clearly define what degrees, certificates, and training programs represent in terms of skills and competencies.
Additionally, the bill would establish a Workforce Data Quality Initiative grant program using existing funds to help states build and improve workforce data systems and talent marketplaces, and would require accessible workforce information through user-friendly, searchable public websites to improve transparency for workers and employers, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Moore’s office.
Pearson and EBSCOed support the proposed bill, which has been referred for consideration to the U.S. House Education and the Workforce Committee.