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.

Exterior of a Walmart store
Blog Posts

How Walmart rebranded development as an employee benefit

An investment in staff development—like Walmart’s Dollar a Day program—can be a potent attraction and retention tool.

Woman signing contract
Blog Posts

We’re All Policymakers When It Comes to the Future of Work

As employers and employees, we have the ability to define labor policy simply through the actions and business decisions we make daily.

Mike Cooper, a Coast Guard veteran and new Amazon employee, at a ceremony for graduates of an apprenticeship program that trains military veterans for technology jobs at Amazon. Seated are Jennifer Carlson, of the Washington Technology Industry Association, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and Ardine Williams, an Amazon vice president. (Jordan Stead / Amazon)
Blog Posts

Amazon welcomes first graduates of program to turn veterans into technologists

Amazon’s new apprenticeship program shepherds veterans into technology jobs.

Building the Institutions Needed to Strengthen Worker Voice
Blog Posts

Building the Institutions Needed to Strengthen Worker Voice

A majority of American workers report not having enough say on benefits, wages, promotions, job security, respect, and training.

Investing in America's Workforce: Improving Outcomes for Workers and Employers
Blog Posts

Strategies to Advance Job Quality

Economic inequality poses a crucial challenge to our economy, our society, and to the American ideal.

Hotel maid holding a towel
Blog Posts

Bringing Better Training and Better Jobs to Boston’s Hotel Industry

A group of innovative organizations is delivering better business outcomes for hotels and better jobs and wages for frontline workers.

Panel of speakers from our event on employee ownership, May 2018
Blog Posts

What’s new at the Economic Opportunities Program, July 2018

What’s new at EOP? Learn how we’re helping people connect to and thrive in a changing economy.

Man Sitting on White Chair Pointing on Tablet Screen Inside Room
Blog Posts

ManpowerGroup Signs Workforce Development Pledge to Upskill More than 130,000 U.S. Workers

The commitment will help people upskill for a future world of work that is more digital and fast-paced than ever before.

Auto worker welding a car
Blog Posts Podcasts

Producing a Sustainable, Highly Skilled Workforce

The National Coalition of Certification Centers is developing partnerships with educational institutions in transportation, energy, and aviation.

Workers in a classroom
Blog Posts

Do job training programs work? Wrong question.

Rather than designing job-training programs in isolation, we need to develop them alongside other important decisions.

Young woman with graduation hat, plus text "Key Elements of Successful Tuition Assistance Programs: A New Model for Workforce Development"
Blog Posts

Key Elements of Successful Tuition Assistance Programs: A New Model for Workforce Development

A new approach by UpSkill America & i4cp can help employers meet the need for an agile workforce of continuous learners.

Student and professor in graduation attire
Blog Posts

Archways to Opportunity Participants Achieve Major Milestone

McDonald’s education program has helped more than 24,000 employees so far.

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