** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** THE ECOP WORKFORCE DEVELOP PROGRAM ACTION TEAM IN COLLABORATION WITH THE NECIW NATIONAL WORKING GROUP (NWG) AND EXF WILL COLLABORATE WITH NIFA STAFF TO FORM A ROBUST NETWORK OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ENTITIES ACROSS EVERY U.S. REGION TO BUILD THE NATION'S CAPACITY TO RESPOND TO THE CHANGING NEEDS IN THE FOOD AND AGRICULTURE SECTOR. THE PRIMARY AUDIENCE FOR THE CLEARINGHOUSE WILL BE CES PRACTITIONERS, WORKFORCE INTERMEDIARIES, AND THE PARTICIPANTS THEY SERVE. INTERMEDIARIES (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE US DEPARTMENTOF LABOR, AMERICANN JOBS CENTER, INDUSTRY PARTNERS, STATE AND LOCAL WORKFORCE AGENCIES, AND VENDORS LIKE EDUWORKS AND AGCAREERSP ARE CRITICAL PARTNERS FOR THIS PROJECT. THE INTERMEDIARY'S ROLE IS TO BRIDGE THE TIMING AND INFORMATION GAP AND ALIGN EMPLOYEE PREPARATION AND TRAINING TO EMPLOYER NEEDS, THEREBY CREATING THE OPTIMAL CONNECTION BETWEEN THE DEMAND AND SUPPLY SIDES OF THE WORLD OF WORK, ULTIMATELY SERVING AS THE DIRECT CONNECTION TO JOB SEEKERS.