Employer Relations Academy 2026

The Employer Relations Academy (ERA) is the premier interactive training experience for career services employer relations professionals. Through a cohort model, participants learn industry best practices to develop relationships, work opportunities (i.e. internships, apprenticeships, etc.), and jobs for all sorts of job seekers. The academy is designed to provide the fundamentals and foundational framework to effectively work with employers. The curriculum offers novice and intermediate-level professionals the ability to acquire the skills, experience, and expertise necessary to design and deploy an effective employer relations strategy. Attendees participate in a series of field work assignments, have the opportunity to conduct real market research to identify individuals and employer networks (leads) that serve as access points to develop work opportunities and employer relationships. Participants can engage with peers, join a forum to share ideas, network, and further develop their skills as employer relations representatives. Participants work in groups to brainstorm employer menus of services, explore service delivery options, develop tiers of engagement, and explore emerging technology as tools for employer services. Attendees implement a final presentation and learn from their peers about employer services. A certificate of competency is awarded upon successful completion of all online assignments and post-series fieldwork.