Aligning Education and Employment

UpSkill America supports employers and workforce organizations to expand and improve high-quality educational and career advancement opportunities for America’s front-line workers.

UpSkill America, an initiative of the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program, supports employers and workforce organizations to expand and improve high-quality educational and career advancement opportunities for America’s front-line workers.

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 front-line workers, more competitive businesses, and stronger communities.

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.

June 9, 2025

Image of an abstract bar chart with the UpSkill America logo on the top left.
Blog Posts

The Future of Talent Development: Reimagining Systems for 2025 and Beyond

To create a future-ready workforce system, we must move beyond outdated credentials and analog processes to one that is skills-first, transparent, data-driven, and aligned with the evolving needs of workers, educators, and employers.

May 19, 2025

Publications

Prioritizing Small and Mid-Sized Businesses: Early Lessons for Skills and Credentials Leaders

Evidence of skills proficiency, supported in ways that are fraud-proof and trustworthy, are foundational to the long-term success and scaling of Skills First talent management practices. And validated skills are what employers want and need.

February 25, 2025

Publications

Upskilling for Small and Mid-Sized Businesses

The question is not “Should SMBs invest in upskilling?” They must for their own continued competitiveness, for the good of their employees, and for the good of our society and economy. The question is “How should SMBs invest in upskilling?”

February 18, 2025

Blog Posts

U.S. Workers Are Falling Behind. Can They Catch Up?

At UpSkill America, we are focused on helping employers design and develop education programs that leverage best practices and ensure employees have the support they need to succeed.

January 21, 2025

Blog Posts

All Learning Counts: Why Data Mobility Is the Key to Skills-Based Talent Management

We share a vision for the future where data mobility has unlocked a truly agile system of work and learning, a system that reflects the changing profile of the workforce — where generations want a flexible approach to career development.

November 5, 2024

Publications

Employer Insights on Digital Credentials and Skills Profiles: Lessons Learned

UpSkill America, an initiative of the Aspen Institute’s Economic Opportunities Program, conducted the qualitative study on behalf of Western Governors University. The report describes what employers said they need to make better use of these Learning and Employment Records and makes recommendations for credential providers.

October 14, 2024

Publications

About UpSkill America

UpSkill America, part of the Economic Opportunities Program, supports employers and workforce organizations to expand and improve high-quality educational and career advancement opportunities for America’s front-line workers. Connect with us on LinkedIn and learn more at upskillamerica.org.

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 UpSkill America

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.

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.