Aspen is a place for leaders to lift their sights above the possessions which possess them. To confront their own nature as human beings, to regain control over their own humanity by becoming more self-aware, more self-correcting, and hence more self-fulfilling.
Through research and evaluation, the Economic Opportunities Program’s Workforce Strategies Initiative explores strategies to improve workers’ ability to access training and education and to gain skills for jobs that provide a good livelihood. In the aftermath of the Great Recession, with the unemployment rate declining much faster than the poverty rate, we have been focusing attention on identifying and exploring ideas and strategies that address the fact that in addition to training, we need new approaches to help workers, businesses, and communities thrive. Scroll down to explore featured projects.
Sector Strategies
Sector strategies are widely accepted among policymakers, investors, and workforce program leaders as effective practice. WSI has been investigating sectoral employment development in practice since the early 1990s, when sector initiatives were few and far between. We began by leading research that defined the approach.
What does it take to support apprenticeships, what is the business value for participating firms, and what are the outcomes for apprentices? WSI is conducting an evaluation of an initiative to scale apprenticeship in Chicagoland.
Building Opportunities for Young People
WSI is engaged in several projects to learn more about how a variety of organizations are working hard to provide young adults with the skills and connections needed to succeed in today’s labor market.
Evaluation of the Genesis Movement
WSI is conducting a formative evaluation of a new approach to manufacturing extension services. This holistic approach is expected to improve working conditions, compensation, and advancement opportunities for frontline workers, while also promoting business competitiveness.
WSI has conducted extensive research on strategies used by community colleges to make workforce development and academic programming more accessible and effective for low-income students.
