UpSkill America

UpSkill America is an employer-led movement to expand opportunity for America’s workers and allow our economy and communities to thrive.

About 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. We advance collaborative solutions that work for employers, employees, and communities, recognizing that shared value for workers, communities, and business bottom-line is the best strategy for long-term success — we believe in “doing well by doing good.”

We seek to create a movement of employers, civic organizations, workforce intermediaries, and policymakers working collaboratively to implement education, training, and development strategies that result in better jobs and opportunities for workers, more competitive businesses, and stronger communities.

UpSkill America is an initiative of the Economic Opportunities Program.

Latest Blog Posts

Woman in an office setting reviewing papers with graphs.
Blog Posts

Early Findings: Employer Perspectives on Skills Validation and Trust 

We’re just getting started with this analysis. Stay tuned in the coming months for insights on  the kinds of information about skills that employers are really looking for in wallets and portfolios, where in the talent management life cycle employers think having validated skills will pay off most, and what it will take for employers and HR professionals to adopt tools that use validated skills.

group of Fellows
Blog Posts

Moving Beyond a “Marriage” to Education

Last week, our second cohort of the Education and Career Mobility Fellowship gathered in Indianapolis for their third and final seminar. Over three days of discussion and collaboration, a clear theme emerged: the growth our fellows experienced was fueled by the power of their collective.

Blog Posts

How Do We Get There?

If we want to change how people prove their skills and find jobs, and how employers identify and advance talent, we need a system that makes skill records digital, verifiable, and easy to share.

Blog Posts

The Future of Work Demands a New Playbook for Upskilling

The future of work demands more than updates, it calls for a bold new upskilling playbook built for speed, scale, and real-world impact.

Latest Publications

Publications

Employer-Friendly Practices: Bridging Higher Ed Practices and Employer Realities

This paper is the first in a series. It elevates the specific issues that employers indicate are key enablers or inhibitors in their relationships and partnerships with colleges and universities.

Publications

Building Bridges: Lessons from the ECCP Initiative

This brief highlights the key behaviors and strategies for successful partnerships between community colleges and employers.

Publications

Investing in People Is an Investment in the Business: Talent Development Leads to Strong Business Outcomes

This case study shares Marlin Steel’s story over the past decade and illustrates a compelling model for how intentional investment in talent fosters competitive businesses and personal growth.

Publications

Upskilling Playbook: Maturity Levels

Measuring the impact of upskilling is crucial for demonstrating its value and driving continuous improvement.

Upskilling Playbook

Publications

Upskilling Playbook for Employers

This playbook is a strategic guide for organizations to build, scale, and integrate skills-based workforce development initiatives that drive business performance and career growth

Publications

Upskilling Playbook: Overview

This playbook provides guidance for people leaders, business executives, and decision-makers to design and implement effective upskilling strategies.

Publications

Upskilling Playbook: Ecosystem

Developing a 21st century workforce requires an intentional ecosystem approach that connects talent development to business priorities.

Publications

Upskilling Playbook: Types of Upskilling

Upskilling is not one-size-fits-all. Organizations must strategically select the right types to align with business and employee growth.

Publications

Upskilling Playbook: Program Components

Designing effective upskilling programs requires a holistic approach that considers various interconnected components.

Publications

Upskilling Playbook: Metrics

Measuring the impact of upskilling is crucial for demonstrating its value and driving continuous improvement.

Publications

Upskilling Playbook: Implementation

Measuring the impact of upskilling is crucial for demonstrating its value and driving continuous improvement.

Publications

Upskilling Playbook: Maturity Levels

Measuring the impact of upskilling is crucial for demonstrating its value and driving continuous improvement.

Our Team


Haley Glover

Senior Director

Chelsea Miller

Associate Director

Maureen Conway

Vice President; Executive Director

Chris Huyck Trout

Senior Advisor and Consultant

Frances Almodovar

Communications Associate

Colleen Cunningham

Director of Grants Management and Publications

Nora Heffernan

Digital Communications Associate

Tony Mastria

Associate Director of Communications

Sinin Young

Grants Management Associate