Research and evaluation conducted by the Economic Opportunities Program’s Workforce Strategies Initiative explore strategies that help workers attain stability and mobility, including through training, education, and broader systems change.

In the years since the end of the Great Recession, the unemployment rate has declined much faster than the poverty rate, and more and more Americans are struggling to find work that allows them to support themselves and their families. WSI’s current research explores “raise the floor and build ladders” strategies, which improve the quality of low-wage jobs and promote mobility for low-wage workers.

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.

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.

Carreras en Salud (Careers in Health) (Chicago, Ill.)
Publications

Carreras en Salud (Careers in Health) (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.

Capital IDEA/ACC Partnership (Austin and Round Rock, Tex.)
Publications

Capital IDEA/ACC Partnership (Austin and Round Rock, Tex.)

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.

Capital IDEA – Teacher Pipeline Project (Austin, Tex.)
Publications

Capital IDEA – Teacher Pipeline Project (Austin, Tex.)

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.

Capital IDEA – Program Overview (Austin, Tex.)
Publications

Capital IDEA – Program Overview (Austin, Tex.)

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.

Capital IDEA – Health Care Occupations (Austin, Tex.)
Publications

Capital IDEA – Health Care Occupations (Austin, Tex.)

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.

Capital IDEA – Electric Utility Sector Work (Austin, Tex.)
Publications

Capital IDEA – Electric Utility Sector Work (Austin, Tex.)

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.

Automobile Career Pathways Project (Seattle, Wash.)
Publications

Automobile Career Pathways Project (Seattle, 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.

Courses to Employment:  Partnering to Create Paths to Education and Careers
Publications

Courses to Employment: Partnering to Create Paths to Education and Careers

How six community college-nonprofit partnerships work together to help low-income adults succeed in the classroom and the labor market.

About the Workforce Strategies Initiative

The Workforce Strategies Initiative, part of the Economic Opportunities Program, uses research and evaluation to explore strategies that help workers attain stability and mobility, including through training, education, and broader systems change.

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 Workforce Strategies Initiative

Cover Page for the publication "Race and Gender Wealth Equity and the Role of Employee Share Ownership"
Publications

Race and Gender Wealth Equity and the Role of Employee Share Ownership

Employee ownership can promote equity, improve job quality, and boost business performance.

Cover page for the report "Unpacking the Work of Work-Based Learning"
Publications

Unpacking the Work of Work-Based Learning

Enhancing Conversations Between Employers and Workforce Professionals
Blog Posts

Enhancing Conversations Between Employers and Workforce Professionals

Many young people need job and training opportunities. How do workforce professionals talk about these issues with employers?

Voices from the Field: Engaging Employers to Connect Young Adults to Good Fit Employment
Publications

Voices from the Field: Engaging Employers to Connect Young Adults to Good Fit Employment

Young workers are facing dire employment prospects. But asking employers the right questions can help identify opportunities.

Cover page: "The Benefits of Bridging Divides: How YouthBuild Philly Shares its Supportive Practices to Build Business Value and Better Jobs"
Publications

The Benefits of Bridging Divides: How YouthBuild Philly Shares its Supportive Practices to Build Business Value and Better Jobs

YouthBuild Philly shows how businesses can develop supportive practices to help young people succeed at work.

Cover Page: "Genesis at Work: Evaluating the Effects of Manufacturing Extension on Business Success and Job Quality"
Publications

Genesis at Work: Evaluating the Effects of Manufacturing Extension on Business Success and Job Quality

Workforce practices are central to a firm’s success. What happens when companies focus on people and process equally?

A Toolkit to Engage Employers and Opportunity Youth on the Future of Work
Publications

A Toolkit to Engage Employers and Opportunity Youth on the Future of Work

How can we ensure Opportunity Youth are positioned to succeed in the future of work?

Cost of Turnover Tool: Make the business case to improve retention through upskilling and stability
Publications

Cost of Turnover Tool

Estimate how much your business spends each year replacing staff in one occupation.