The workforce crisis is driven by many factors, not the least of which is accessible and meaningful entry into the field. Through this Next Generation Education partnership between National University and National Head Start Association, we designed a workforce development pathway for students to engage in a thoughtfully articulated upskilling opportunity through each portable certificate. Designed for Head Start, we mapped Head Start core competencies to our courses that also include fieldwork experiences through on the job training in Head Start classrooms across the country.