In the rapidly evolving landscape of technology, staying ahead of the curve is more than a competitive advantage—it is an absolute necessity. For educators, workforce development boards, students, and professionals, understanding exactly what it takes to succeed in modern technology professions requires access to accurate, real-world data. For more than ten years, Web Professionals Global has been at the forefront of this mission, ensuring that the web and digital professionals of tomorrow are recognized, properly defined, and aligned with industry needs. A foundational piece of this long-term effort has been our enduring partnership with the United States Department of Labor (DOL) through the O*NET Data Collection Program. We are incredibly proud to celebrate over a decade of working with O*NET and now being recognized as an O*NET Ally. This status represents a shared commitment to keeping national occupational standards accurate, comprehensive, and reflective of the modern workplace. Let’s take a deeper look.
Understanding O*NET: The Backbone of the American Workforce
To understand the value of this decade-long collaboration, it is essential to understand what O*NET is and why its work matters so much to the global economy. The Occupational Information Network (O*NET) is the nation’s primary source of occupational information. Developed and maintained under the sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA), O*NET is an invaluable, free online database that contains hundreds of occupational definitions to help students, job seekers, businesses, and workforce development professionals understand the modern world of work.
At its core, O*NET acts as a standardized language for the American workforce. It breaks down hundreds of individual careers into granular, highly detailed profiles. Each profile outlines the specific tasks performed, the technological skills and tools required, the necessary knowledge base, typical work activities, and the educational or credentialing requirements needed to enter and succeed in that field.
For the technology and web sectors—industries notorious for rapid changes, shifting titles, and emerging sub-disciplines—O*NET serves as an anchor. It ensures that when a government agency, a public school district, or a major corporation references a role like “Web Developer,” “Digital Designer,” or “Information Technology Specialist,” everyone is operating from the same accurate, validated baseline.
The Power of Data Collection
O*NET does not generate these occupational profiles in a vacuum. The strength, validity, and accuracy of the database rely entirely on continuous, real-world research through the O*NET Data Collection Program. This program looks directly to active professionals and industry experts to understand how jobs are changing in real time.
By surveying workers across the nation, the Department of Labor can track how new software, shifting methodologies, and emerging technologies alter day-to-day workplace responsibilities. Without this constant influx of empirical data, national workforce standards would quickly become obsolete, leaving educational institutions teaching outdated curricula and businesses struggling to find candidates with the correct, modern skill sets.
This is where Web Professionals Global has stepped in for over ten years. As a trusted international organization dedicated to supporting web professionals, mentors, and educators, we have consistently leveraged our extensive network to support the DOL’s data collection efforts. Our members—ranging from freelance web designers and enterprise cloud architects to dedicated high school and collegiate CTE instructors—have generously shared their expertise, ensuring that national standards truly reflect the practical realities of the digital workplace. Check out the full list of participants here (Web Professionals Global is listed as World Organization of Webmasters).
Recognized as an Official O*NET Ally
Our sustained contributions to this critical initiative have earned Web Professionals Global the formal designation of an official O*NET Ally by the U.S. Department of Labor. In a recent communication, the DOL expressed its appreciation for our organization’s enduring participation: “The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) appreciates the Web Professionals Global’s participation in the O*NET Data Collection Program and welcomes you as an O*NET Ally!”
Web Professionals Global will soon be featured prominently in the Sources of Additional Information on O*NET OnLine and with an O*NET Ally tag listed next to our organization’s name. Web Professionals Global was also added to the O*NET Ally listing, which is published in a special section of the O*NET Resource Center.
This prominent recognition on O*NET OnLine and within the quarterly updated O*NET Resource Center is a testament to the collective voice of our community. Moving forward, visitors to the official O*NET platforms will see the official O*NET Ally Badge associated with Web Professionals Global, a symbol celebrating our organization’s active role in shaping national labor data.
Bridging Education, Certification, and Industry
For Web Professionals Global, being an O*NET partner for over a decade is directly woven into our broader mission: preparing the next generation of digital professionals. The data collected by O*NET heavily influences Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, Perkins V funding allocations, and state-level education standards across the United States.
When our community helps O*NET accurately define a web professional’s role, we are directly ensuring that a high school or community college curriculum aligned with O*NET standards is teaching relevant, hireable skills. Furthermore, it validates our own industry-based certifications, ensuring that when a student earns a credential through Web Professionals Global, it carries true weight and matches the exact competency levels demanded by employers nationwide. For more information, check out the full list of O*NET Ally Participants here.
Looking to the Future
As we look toward the next decade, the pace of technological innovation shows no signs of slowing down. With the rise of advanced artificial intelligence, cloud-native platforms, and novel web frameworks, the definition of a web professional will continue to transform.
Web Professionals Global remains steadfastly committed to our alliance with the U.S. Department of Labor. We will continue to advocate for accurate industry standards, champion the needs of web educators, and provide the critical data necessary to keep the American workforce moving forward. We extend our deepest gratitude to our members, volunteers, and partners who have contributed to the O*NET Data Collection Program over the last ten years—your expertise continues to shape the future of our industry.
Join the Movement: Shape the Future of Our Profession
Our decade-long alliance with the U.S. Department of Labor is only possible because of web professionals and educators like you. As technologies like advanced AI and new web frameworks continue to reshape our industry, your real-world insights are more critical than ever.
Whether you are an active developer, a digital designer, or a dedicated CTE instructor, we want to hear from you. Help us ensure that national standards, certifications, and educational curricula stay perfectly aligned with the actual demands of the workplace.
Get involved today: To learn more about how you can contribute to future data collection efforts, share your industry expertise, or bring industry-validated certifications to your classroom, reach out to our team directly at hello@webprofessionalsglobal.org.
