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.

Together in Learning: Voices from the Industry and Workforce Learning
Blog Posts

Together in Learning: Voices from the Industry and Workforce Learning

Learning 2015 provided a platform to explore upskilling and investments in frontline workers across a range of industries.

Placeholder
Blog Posts

Did Short-Term Thinking Harm the Long-Term Success of U.S. Workers?

The American workforce started out as the goose that laid the golden egg for American business, but now it is suffering a death of 1,000 cuts.

Work-and-Learn in Action: Successful Strategies for Employers
Blog Posts

Work-and-Learn in Action: Successful Strategies for Employers

Work-and-learn models programs allow employers to help students and workers gain the necessary skills for workplace success.

Four medical personnel working at a table together
Blog Posts

Training Today’s Workers to Up-Skill America

NFWS’ Fred Dedrick discusses regional partnerships that help organizations train existing workers to help them advance in their careers.

Apprentice welding
Blog Posts

Five Questions for John Ladd, Administrator, Office of Apprenticeship, Employment & Training Administration

National Apprenticeship Week highlights the benefits of the “Earn and Learn” model in preparing a highly skilled workforce to meet the talent demands of employers in all industries.

Great Lakes Commits Record $12 Million to Fund 7,000 New Paid Internships for College Students with Financial Need
Blog Posts

Great Lakes Commits Record $12 Million to Fund 7,000 New Paid Internships for College Students with Financial Need

Thousands of students have now participated in newly created paid internships in their fields of study.

New Webpage Tracks Upskilling Initiatives by Large Employers and Highlights Programs that Invest in Employees and Communities
Blog Posts

New Webpage Tracks Upskilling Initiatives by Large Employers and Highlights Programs that Invest in Employees and Communities

Upskilling opportunities not only enhance career development but provide paths to improved incomes that all lead to better lives of workers in America.

Cox Machine Invests In New Employees
Blog Posts

Cox Machine Invests In New Employees

While many companies look outside the organization for innovation, Cox Machine looks internally as well to invest in its current and future workforce.

Hilton Worldwide Rolls Out Industry-Leading GED Assistance Program
Blog Posts

Hilton Worldwide Rolls Out Industry-Leading GED Assistance Program

The new benefit that will give thousands of eligible employees the opportunity to earn their high school equivalency diploma.

States Are the Laboratories of Upskilling
Blog Posts

States Are the Laboratories of Upskilling

Learn how states are promoting upskilling to expand opportunity and build their workforce.

Reimagining the Full-Time Job
Blog Posts

Reimagining the Full-Time Job

The freedom of being an independent worker currently comes at the cost of forfeiting certain benefits.

Happy Labor Day!
Blog Posts

Happy Labor Day!

To celebrate Labor Day, we are highlighting some of the recent, innovative projects coming out of the Economic Opportunities Program.

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