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.

The Retail Trade Workforce in the United States
Publications

The Retail Trade Workforce in the United States

This resource provides an overview of retail work in the United States including information about the demographics of workers in the industry, the size of the workforce, wages and benefits, and working conditions.

The Restaurant Workforce in the United States
Publications

The Restaurant Workforce in the United States

This resource provides an overview of the restaurant workforce in the United States including information about the demographics of workers in the industry, the size of the workforce, wages and benefits, and working conditions.

Shoreline Community College – Auto Sales and Service Training Pathways Program (Shoreline, Wash.)
Publications

Shoreline Community College – Auto Sales and Service Training Pathways Program (Shoreline, Wash.)

This document is a profile of a sector initiative and provides detailed description of the initiative that may include information about program design, funding, worker outcomes, partners and much more.

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Publications

Profiles of the Retail Workforce and the Retail Action Project

This report illustrates the state of low-wage work in the retail industry and provides a profile of the Retail Action Project, an organization striving to improve job quality in retail.

Overview of Workers in Residential Construction
Publications

Overview of Workers in Residential Construction

This resource provides an overview of residential construction work in the United States including information about the demographics of workers in the industry, the size of the workforce, wages and benefits, and working conditions.

Our Direct-Care Workers: An Overview of the Caregivers in our Workforce
Publications

Our Direct-Care Workers: An Overview of the Caregivers in our Workforce

This resource provides an overview of the direct-care workforce in the United States including information about the demographics of workers in the industry, the size of the workforce, wages and benefits, and working conditions.

NOVA-NVFS Training Futures “Steps to Success” Model (Fairfax County, Va.)
Publications

NOVA-NVFS Training Futures “Steps to Success” Model (Fairfax County, Va.)

This document is a profile of a sector initiative and provides detailed description of the initiative that may include information about program design, funding, worker outcomes, partners and much more.

Logistics/Transportation Academy (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Publications

Logistics/Transportation Academy (Los Angeles, Calif.)

This document is a profile of a sector initiative and provides detailed description of the initiative that may include information about program design, funding, worker outcomes, partners and much more.

Instituto del Progreso Latino – ManufacturingWorks (Chicago, Ill.)
Publications

Instituto del Progreso Latino – ManufacturingWorks (Chicago, Ill.)

This document is a profile of a sector initiative and provides detailed description of the initiative that may include information about program design, funding, worker outcomes, partners and much more.

Flint Healthcare Career Pathways Project (Flint, Mich.)
Publications

Flint Healthcare Career Pathways Project (Flint, Mich.)

This document is a profile of a sector initiative and provides detailed description of the initiative that may include information about program design, funding, worker outcomes, partners and much more.

Central Piedmont Community College – Pathways to Employment and ESL Pathways (Charlotte, N.C.)
Publications

Central Piedmont Community College – Pathways to Employment and ESL Pathways (Charlotte, N.C.)

This document is a profile of a sector initiative and provides detailed description of the initiative that may include information about program design, funding, worker outcomes, partners and much more.

Central Arizona Shelter Services – Temporary Employment Services (Phoenix, Ariz.)
Publications

Central Arizona Shelter Services – Temporary Employment Services (Phoenix, Ariz.)

This document is a profile of a sector initiative and provides detailed description of the initiative that may include information about program design, funding, worker outcomes, partners and much more.

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