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.

Placeholder
Blog Posts

Giving Retail Workers the Gift of Standards for Job Schedules

For all workers, there are only 24 hours in a day to accomplish both job and home responsibilities. While racing the clock is a universal experience, the challenge is particularly acute for those with de-stabilizing job schedules who live with little or no economic cushion.

Placeholder
Blog Posts

State Policies and the Future of Work

What will work look like in 20 years and beyond? “Sharing economy” companies such as Uber and TaskRabbit have brought new attention to the way we work, but many of the employment transformations we’ve seen have evolved over decades.

California State Capitol
Blog Posts

Five Questions for Stewart Knox, Executive Director of the California Employment Training Panel

Since its inception in 1982, California’s Employment Training Panel has helped train workers in over 80,000 businesses.

Placeholder
Blog Posts

The Other Side of Holiday Shopping: The Challenge of Unpredictable Scheduling for Retail Workers

Panelists explored the challenges that accompany unpredictable schedules in the retail industry and propose changes to the current structure to improve conditions for those workers.

“This Program Changed My Life”: McDonald’s First Graduate of Career Online High School Shares His Story
Blog Posts

“This Program Changed My Life”: McDonald’s First Graduate of Career Online High School Shares His Story

In March 2015, Juan Garcia became the first graduate of Cengage Learning’s Career Online High School. He shares his story.

Hilton Worldwide Expands Employee Benefits, Including GED Assistance
Blog Posts

Hilton Worldwide Expands Employee Benefits, Including GED Assistance

Hilton & CAEL will provide one-on-one GED preparation and advisement services, as well as test preparation.

Older working training a younger worker in a warehouse
Blog Posts

One Stops are Helping Businesses Upskill their Workforces

NAWB’s Ron Painter describes how local Workforce Boards and their One Stops can help businesses of all sizes upscale their workers.

White House and Department of Labor Launch $100 Million TechHire Grant Competition Including $50 Million for Young Americans
Blog Posts

White House and Department of Labor Launch $100 Million TechHire Grant Competition Including $50 Million for Young Americans

Employers are in critical need of tech talent and too many Americans lack the skills and experience to access these well-paying jobs.

Adult male sitting in front of a computer monitor in an office
Blog Posts

Employers Elevate Employees’ Education Attainment

Cindy Cisneros, vice president of education programs at CED, shares insights businesses can use in their development of job training programs.

Recasting American Apprenticeship
Blog Posts

Recasting American Apprenticeship

A new report sheds light on the obstacles to participation for those businesses with a demand for skilled workers yet uncertain about using apprenticeships to build their workforce.

Credentialing Programs Keep Companies Competitive
Blog Posts

Credentialing Programs Keep Companies Competitive

At UPS and Hilton, we are committed to getting more business leaders to invest in education, training, and advancement for their employees.

Why Business Ownership Matters in Closing the Racial Wealth Gap
Blog Posts

Why Business Ownership Matters in Closing the Racial Wealth Gap

FIELD Director Joyce Klein explains why minority-owned businesses are integral to societal health, and how the private and public sectors can support African American and Latino small business endeavors.

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.

Join Our Mailing List

To receive occasional emails about our work — including new publications, commentary, events, fellowships, and more — join our mailing list.

Connect on Social Media

For news and updates every day, connect with us on the social media platform of your choice.

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.

Placeholder
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