The Economic Opportunities Program advances strategies, policies, and ideas to help low- and moderate-income people thrive in a changing economy.

We recognize that race, gender, and place intersect with and intensify the challenge of economic inequality and we address these dynamics by advancing an inclusive vision of economic justice. For over 25 years, EOP has focused on expanding individuals’ opportunities to connect to quality work, start businesses, and build economic stability that provides the freedom to pursue opportunity.

We collaborate with national and local leaders across the United States – nonprofit leaders, policymakers, labor leaders, business leaders, educators, academics, and more – and we actively seek input and ideas from individuals and communities affected by proposed approaches to address economic opportunity challenges. Through our leadership and fellowship programs; applied research and evaluation; data and analysis; and dialogue with diverse stakeholders, we work at both local and national levels to build understanding and galvanize action to address the challenge of economic opportunity in America.

Join our mailing list and follow us on social media for regular updates on our work.

Photo of Jaime Fall
Blog Posts

Reflections on Seven Years at UpSkill America

UpSkill Director Jaime Fall reflects on the growth of the upskilling movement, its achievements for workers and businesses, and the work that remains.

Transforming Health Care Workforce Development
Blog Posts Longform

Transforming Health Care Workforce Development

H-CAP, led by Job Quality Fellow Daniel Bustillo, has a mission to transform health care workforce development and support caregivers.

Rebalancing Power in Construction and Manufacturing in Milwaukee
Blog Posts Longform

Rebalancing Power in Construction and Manufacturing in Milwaukee

WRTP | BIG STEP, led by Job Quality Fellow Lindsay Blumer, is a workforce intermediary with strong ties to workers, community, unions, and industry.

Photo of AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler and Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond with fireworks in the background
Blog Posts

Liz Shuler Elected to Lead AFL-CIO: A Standout Leader for a Landmark Moment

The Economic Opportunities Program congratulates the AFL-CIO on its election of Liz Shuler as president and Fred Redmond as secretary-treasurer.

Digital Skills, Training, and Equity: Five Questions for Jeffrey Connor-Naylor, Director of Business Leaders United
Blog Posts

Digital Skills, Training, and Equity: Five Questions for Jeffrey Connor-Naylor, Director of Business Leaders United

Federal funding for digital equity may be coming to your state, including skills training to help workers use technology in the workplace.

Economic Opportunities Program Newsletter, May 2022
Blog Posts

Economic Opportunities Program Newsletter, May 2022

Confronting inequity, restoring the promise of work, and broadening opportunities are essential to building a more free, just, and equitable world.

EOP Seeks Partners to Offer Local Workforce Leadership Academies
Blog Posts

EOP Seeks Partners to Offer Local Workforce Leadership Academies

We are seeking partners to receive challenge grants, curriculum materials, and training to deliver Workforce Leadership Academies.

Upskilling in the News: Children’s Hospital Colorado Offers Tuition-Free Education Benefits
Blog Posts

Upskilling in the News: Children’s Hospital Colorado Offers Tuition-Free Education Benefits

Eligible employees have access to tuition-free learning through Guild’s more than 75 programs from more than 25 learning providers.

Economic Opportunities Program Newsletter, April 2022
Blog Posts

Economic Opportunities Program Newsletter, April 2022

Confronting inequity, restoring the promise of work, and broadening opportunities are essential to building a more free, just, and equitable world.

Delivery person picking up box from van
Blog Posts

Restoring the Commitment to a Fair Day’s Pay for a Fair Day’s Work

Almost one-third of workers in the US earn less than $15 an hour.

Worker on flooded street
Blog Posts

Climate Infrastructure Investments Should Also Boost Job Quality and Equity

Can we leverage this opportunity to ensure America’s workers will also be winners?

Injured construction worker being helped by colleague
Blog Posts

When Climate Change Meets a Bad Work Environment, Disaster Can Strike

Short-term thinking has worsened climate change and exploited workers. That’s become a deadly combination.

About the Economic Opportunities Program

The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program advances strategies, policies, and ideas to help low- and moderate-income people thrive in a changing economy.

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More from the Economic Opportunities Program

Foundational Skills: National Survey Findings
Publications

Foundational Skills: National Survey Findings

This publication examines how fragmented skills, credentialing, and workforce data systems limit the potential of skills-based hiring and advancement, and outlines a shared vision for building the interoperable infrastructure needed to create a connected skills ecosystem that benefits workers, employers, educators, and governments.

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Podcasts Videos

What Employee Ownership Means to Workers

This conversation is part of our Opportunity in America series, where we take a look at the economy, what’s working, what’s broken, and really how we fix it to make sure that everyone can succeed in today’s economy.

Resource Roundup: Wages and Affordability
Blog Posts
Room for Growth: A Survey of Upskilling Approaches — 2026 Analysis
Publications

Room for Growth: A Survey of Upskilling Approaches — 2026 Analysis

This publication examines how fragmented skills, credentialing, and workforce data systems limit the potential of skills-based hiring and advancement, and outlines a shared vision for building the interoperable infrastructure needed to create a connected skills ecosystem that benefits workers, employers, educators, and governments.

Building Economic Security: A Book Talk with Arindrajit Dube and Carrie Joy Grimes
Podcasts Videos

Building Economic Security: A Book Talk with Arindrajit Dube and Carrie Joy Grimes

Economic security shouldn’t be a lottery. Yet for millions of working families, stagnant wages and precarious jobs collide with the daily grind of managing money on shaky ground — leaving stability feeling less like a plan and more like a gamble. Fixing that takes more than one lever. It takes structural reform and the tools people need to take control of their financial lives, working together.

What Employee Ownership Means to Workers
Publications

What Employee Ownership Means to Workers

Insights from Focus Groups with Employee Owners