Our Work
The Economic Opportunities Program takes a variety of approaches to expanding opportunity, including projects, initiatives, fellowships, and events.
Join our mailing list and follow us on social media for regular updates on our work.
Projects and Initiatives
Job Quality Center of Excellence
The Job Quality Center of Excellence offers tools, resources, and guidance on job quality for those working to build a more equitable and sustainable economy. jobqualitycenter.org
Business Ownership Initiative
The Business Ownership Initiative works to build understanding and strengthen the role of business ownership as an economic opportunity strategy. as.pn/boi
UpSkill America
UpSkill America supports employers and workforce organizations to expand and improve high-quality educational and career advancement opportunities for America’s front-line workers. as.pn/upskill
Shared Success
Working in partnership with selected CDFIs, Shared Success aims to improve job quality at small businesses while helping to drive business success. as.pn/sharedsuccess
Future of Work Initiative
The Future of Work Initiative aims to identify, develop, and amplify solutions that address the challenges of today while building toward a future in which workers are safe, empowered, and equipped to thrive in our changing world. as.pn/futureofwork
Good Companies/Good Jobs
The Good Companies/Good Jobs initiative equips companies to empower economic opportunity across the US through a key lever: good jobs. as.pn/gcgj
Workforce Strategies Initiative
Through research and evaluation, the Workforce Strategies Initiative explores strategies that help workers attain stability and mobility, including through training, education, and broader systems change. as.pn/wsi
Fellowships
Workforce Leadership Academies
Workforce Leadership Academies bring together local leaders to develop and sustain effective workforce strategies, collaborate more deeply with employers, and expand the number and quality of leaders who advance opportunities for low-wage workers and job seekers as they meet employers’ talent development needs. as.pn/wla
Education and Career Mobility Fellowship
The Education and Career Mobility Fellowship, which is offered by UpSkill America in partnership with Guild, supports dedicated professionals who manage and administer talent development programs, recognizing the unique challenges and diverse backgrounds they bring. It is designed for mid-career professionals, offering a chance to learn, grow, and build a strong network.
Job Quality Fellowship
The Job Quality Fellowship brings together leaders from differing lines of work, in communities across the country, who are working to expand the availability of better quality jobs. as.pn/jobquality
Event Series
Opportunity in America
Opportunity in America considers the changing landscape of economic opportunity in the US and implications for individuals, families, and communities across the country. The series highlights the ways in which issues of race, gender, and place exacerbate our economic divides, and ideas and innovations with potential to address these challenges and broaden access to quality opportunity. as.pn/opportunityinamerica
Job Quality in Practice
Job Quality in Practice webinars provide actionable tools and guidance to support leaders across geographies and fields — including workforce development, economic development, capital deployment, policy, worker advocacy, business, and higher education — to engage in practical action to improve jobs in their local communities and connect to a growing national conversation. as.pn/jobqualityinpractice
Employee Ownership Ideas Forum
The Employee Ownership Ideas Forum — hosted in partnership with the Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing at Rutgers University — convenes policymakers, practitioners, researchers, philanthropists, investors, and leaders of employee-owned companies to learn about and discuss the latest in policy, research, finance, and practice.
Newsletters
Job Quality Newsletter
Our Job Quality Newsletter is a curated collection of job quality resources on a specific theme, from our library and beyond.
Resource Roundup
Resource Roundup is an editorial take on the latest articles and reports that shape our thinking on economic opportunity.
From the Forum
From the Forum highlights key moments from the Employee Ownership Ideas Forum to inspire fresh thinking and action around expanding ownership.
Upcoming Events
Our Upcoming Events newsletter offers a snapshot of public events and other opportunities to hear from our staff.
Monthly Digest
Our Monthly Digest newsletter is a recap of public activities from the past month, including new publications, commentary, videos, podcasts, media coverage, and 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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