Economic Opportunities Program Monthly Digest — August 2026

<div class="header alignfull header--article has-background has-tonal-black-background-color"> <div class="header__layout"> <div class="header__content"> <div class="header__metadata"><div class="header__metas"><div class="header__meta header__meta--taxonomy header__meta--tax-category"> Blog Posts</div></div></div> <h1 class="header__title">Archives</h1> <div class="header__metadata"><div class="header__metas"><div class="favorite-block"> <button class="favorite" data-id="314192" data-state="" title="Favorites are not currently available" disabled><span class="favorite__on">Unfavorite</span><span class="favorite__off">Favorite</span><svg class="svg svg--svg-assets-svg-icon-bookmark" role="img" height="15" width="11"><use xlink:href="#svg-assets-svg-icon-bookmark" /></svg></button></div> <div class="header__meta header__meta--date"> August 31, 2026</div> <div class="header__meta header__meta--taxonomy header__meta--tax-program_tax"> Economic Opportunities Program</div></div></div> </div> </div> <figure class="header__media" role="presentation"> </figure> </div> <div class="wp-block-group alignfull is-style-contour-lines is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--medium);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--medium)"> <p class="has-medium-variant wp-block-paragraph">The Aspen Institute <a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/programs/economic-opportunities-program/">Economic Opportunities Program</a> (EOP) advances strategies, policies, and ideas to help low- and moderate-income people thrive in a changing economy.</p> <p class="has-medium-variant wp-block-paragraph">We are pleased to present a selection of our work from the past month. </p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">If a colleague shared this newsletter with you, consider <a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/programs/economic-opportunities-program/connect/">subscribing to our mailing list</a> or <a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/programs/economic-opportunities-program/connect/">connecting on social media</a>. To learn more about our work, visit <a href="http://aspeninstitute.org/eop">aspeninstitute.org/eop</a>.</p> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/> <h2 id="h-commentary" class="wp-block-heading has-h4-variant">Commentary</h2> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li class=""><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/blog-posts/making-skills-first-work-for-small-businesses/">Making Skills-First Work for Small Businesses</a> by Chelsea Miller (UpSkill America) and Ebony D. Thomas (Grads of Life)</li> <li class=""><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/blog-posts/ai-decisions-are-workforce-decisions/">AI Decisions are Workforce Decisions</a> by Chris Huyck Trout, UpSkill America</li> </ul> <p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/programs/economic-opportunities-program/blog-posts/">Click here</a> to view more commentary.</p> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/> <h2 id="h-videos" class="wp-block-heading has-h4-variant">Videos</h2> <p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/videos/the-necessity-of-employee-centered-strategies-a-book-talk-with-steve-dawson-and-jerry-rubin/">The Necessity of Employee-Centered Strategies</a>, featuring Steve Dawson and Jerry Rubin (coauthors, “Help Wanted: How To Find and Keep Talent in a Forever-Tight Labor Market”) and moderator Maureen Conway (Aspen Institute). Hosted by the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program on July 29. Highlights:</p> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li class=""><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOPL4bIFFZc&amp;list=PLQ9pfzmt3A4U&amp;index=4">The Labor Market Isn&#8217;t Going Back: Why Talent Shortages Are Here to Stay</a> — Steve Dawson</li> <li class=""><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OveFxxkiezw&amp;list=PLQ9pfzmt3A4U&amp;index=5">Will AI Solve the Labor Shortage? What Employers Need to Know</a> — Jerry Rubin</li> <li class=""><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UE6bhsN-d_U&amp;list=PLQ9pfzmt3A4U&amp;index=7">You&#8217;re Hiring Wrong: How to Find Talent You&#8217;ve Been Overlooking</a> — Jerry Rubin</li> <li class=""><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hY9jUJU91sQ&amp;list=PLQ9pfzmt3A4U&amp;index=6">How To Convince Leadership That Employee Investment Pays Off</a> — Steve Dawson</li> <li class=""><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oC8I9cJ8dI4&amp;list=PLQ9pfzmt3A4U&amp;index=7">Why We Wrote “Help Wanted”: The Case for Employee-Centered Leadership</a> — Jerry Rubin</li> <li class=""><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEF1OHYGqy4&amp;list=PLQ9pfzmt3A4U&amp;index=9">Employee-Centered Strategies for Small Businesses and Nonprofits</a> — Jerry Rubin</li> <li class=""><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRfZaczIEig&amp;list=PLQ9pfzmt3A4U&amp;index=12">One Piece of Advice for Every Employer</a> — Jerry Rubin &amp; Steve Dawson</li> </ul> <p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/videos/the-impact-of-foundational-skills-on-workforce-success/">The Impact of Foundational Skills on Workforce Success</a>, featuring Della Adams (Tyson Foods), Quentin Bradley (Ochsner Health), Joe Dunlap (CJK Group), Georgia Reagan (Lumina Foundation), and moderator Chelsea Miller (UpSkill America). Hosted by UpSkill America and Lumina Foundation on August 18.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/events/metrics-that-matter-improving-financial-analysis-of-cdfi-small-business-lenders/">Metrics that Matter: Improving Financial Analysis of CDFI Small Business Lenders</a>, featuring Joyce Klein (Aspen Institute) and Brett Simmons (Blue Aster Advising). Hosted by the Aspen Institute’s Business Ownership Initiative on August 26.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/programs/economic-opportunities-program/videos/">Click here</a> to view more videos. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@AspenEOP">Click here</a> to subscribe.</p> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/> <h2 id="h-podcasts" class="wp-block-heading has-h4-variant">Podcasts</h2> <p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://pod.link/1503944129/episode/YWFlZGQ3ODctYzQ5NC00M2Q4LTkzOTMtMzcxNWFiZjNmZmQy">The Necessity of Employee-Centered Strategies</a>, featuring Steve Dawson and Jerry Rubin (coauthors, “Help Wanted: How To Find and Keep Talent in a Forever-Tight Labor Market”) and moderator Maureen Conway (Aspen Institute). Hosted by the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program on July 29.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://pod.link/1503944129/episode/YzRiYTlhMTktOWFiMC00N2ZlLWI3OTQtNzYwMThkM2Q5OGI5">The Impact of Foundational Skills on Workforce Success</a>, featuring Della Adams (Tyson Foods), Quentin Bradley (Ochsner Health), Joe Dunlap (CJK Group), Georgia Reagan (Lumina Foundation), and moderator Chelsea Miller (UpSkill America). Hosted by UpSkill America and Lumina Foundation on August 18.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/programs/economic-opportunities-program/podcasts/">Click here</a> to view more podcasts. <a href="https://pod.link/1503944129">Click here</a> to subscribe.</p> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/> <h2 id="h-newsletters" class="wp-block-heading has-h4-variant">Newsletters</h2> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li class=""><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/blog-posts/resource-roundup-labor-is-changing-labor-policy-should-too/">Resource Roundup: Labor is changing. Labor policy should too.</a> by Maxwell Johnson</li> <li class=""><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/blog-posts/upcoming-events-from-the-economic-opportunities-program-august-2026/">Upcoming Events — August 2026</a></li> <li class=""><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/blog-posts/economic-opportunities-program-monthly-digest-july-2026/">Monthly Digest — July 2026</a></li> </ul> <p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/programs/economic-opportunities-program/newsletters/">Click here</a> to view more newsletters. <a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/programs/economic-opportunities-program/connect/">Click here</a> to subscribe.</p> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/> <h2 id="h-upcoming-events" class="wp-block-heading has-h4-variant">Upcoming Events</h2> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li class="">September 9 — <a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/events/disposable-workers-a-book-talk-with-mit-sloan-professor-paul-osterman/">Disposable Workers: A Book Talk with MIT Sloan Professor Paul Osterman</a> (free, online).</li> <li class="">September 23 — Work &amp; the Social Contract in the Age of AI: How did we get here? (free, online). Registration for this event will open soon. <a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/programs/economic-opportunities-program/mailing-list/">Join our mailing list</a> to be notified.</li> </ul> <p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/programs/economic-opportunities-program/events/">Click here</a> to view more events.</p> </div> <div class="wp-block-group alignfull has-primary-wash-background-color has-background is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--medium);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--medium)"> <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-h4-variant" id="h-about-the-monthly-digest">About the Monthly Digest</h2> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">The Economic Opportunities Program&#8217;s <a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/series/monthly-digest/">Monthly Digest</a> newsletter is a recap of public activities from the past month, including new publications, commentary, videos, podcasts, news clips, and more. <a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/programs/economic-opportunities-program/connect/">Click here to subscribe.</a></p> </div> <div class="wp-block-group alignfull has-primary-light-background-color has-background is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--medium);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--medium)"> <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-h4-variant" id="h-about-the-economic-opportunities-program">About the Economic Opportunities Program</h2> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">The Aspen Institute <a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/programs/economic-opportunities-program/">Economic Opportunities Program</a> advances strategies, policies, and ideas to help low- and moderate-income people thrive in a changing economy.</p> </div> <div class="wp-block-group alignfull has-primary-background-color has-background is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained" style="padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--medium);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--medium)"> <div class="wp-block-group alignwide is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-left has-h4-variant" id="h-join-our-mailing-list">Join Our Mailing List</h2> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">To receive occasional emails about our work — including new publications, commentary, events, fellowships, and more — join our mailing list.</p> <div class="wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-00f60e24 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex"> <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/programs/economic-opportunities-program/connect/">Subscribe<span class="wp-block-button__effect"></span></a></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="wp-block-group alignfull has-primary-dark-background-color has-background is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained" style="padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--medium);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--medium)"> <div class="wp-block-group alignwide is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-left has-h4-variant" id="h-connect-on-social-media">Connect on Social Media</h2> <p class="has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph" style="padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--xsmall)">For news and updates every day, connect with us on the social media platform of your choice.</p> <ul class="wp-block-social-links has-normal-icon-size has-icon-color is-style-logos-only is-horizontal is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-social-links-is-layout-10d7f821 wp-block-social-links-is-layout-flex" style="margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--xsmall);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--xsmall)"><li style="color:var( --wdg-color-white )" class="wp-social-link wp-social-link-bluesky has-white-color wp-block-social-link"><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/eop.aspeninstitute.org" class="wp-block-social-link-anchor"><svg width="24" height="24" viewBox="0 0 24 24" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M6.3,4.2c2.3,1.7,4.8,5.3,5.7,7.2.9-1.9,3.4-5.4,5.7-7.2,1.7-1.3,4.3-2.2,4.3.9s-.4,5.2-.6,5.9c-.7,2.6-3.3,3.2-5.6,2.8,4,.7,5.1,3,2.9,5.3-5,5.2-6.7-2.8-6.7-2.8,0,0-1.7,8-6.7,2.8-2.2-2.3-1.2-4.6,2.9-5.3-2.3.4-4.9-.3-5.6-2.8-.2-.7-.6-5.3-.6-5.9,0-3.1,2.7-2.1,4.3-.9h0Z"></path></svg><span class="wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text">Bluesky</span></a></li> <li style="color:var( --wdg-color-white )" class="wp-social-link wp-social-link-facebook has-white-color wp-block-social-link"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AspenEOP/" class="wp-block-social-link-anchor"><svg width="24" height="24" viewBox="0 0 24 24" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M12 2C6.5 2 2 6.5 2 12c0 5 3.7 9.1 8.4 9.9v-7H7.9V12h2.5V9.8c0-2.5 1.5-3.9 3.8-3.9 1.1 0 2.2.2 2.2.2v2.5h-1.3c-1.2 0-1.6.8-1.6 1.6V12h2.8l-.4 2.9h-2.3v7C18.3 21.1 22 17 22 12c0-5.5-4.5-10-10-10z"></path></svg><span class="wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text">Facebook</span></a></li> <li style="color:var( --wdg-color-white )" class="wp-social-link wp-social-link-instagram has-white-color wp-block-social-link"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/aspeneop/" class="wp-block-social-link-anchor"><svg width="24" height="24" viewBox="0 0 24 24" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M12,4.622c2.403,0,2.688,0.009,3.637,0.052c0.877,0.04,1.354,0.187,1.671,0.31c0.42,0.163,0.72,0.358,1.035,0.673 c0.315,0.315,0.51,0.615,0.673,1.035c0.123,0.317,0.27,0.794,0.31,1.671c0.043,0.949,0.052,1.234,0.052,3.637 s-0.009,2.688-0.052,3.637c-0.04,0.877-0.187,1.354-0.31,1.671c-0.163,0.42-0.358,0.72-0.673,1.035 c-0.315,0.315-0.615,0.51-1.035,0.673c-0.317,0.123-0.794,0.27-1.671,0.31c-0.949,0.043-1.233,0.052-3.637,0.052 s-2.688-0.009-3.637-0.052c-0.877-0.04-1.354-0.187-1.671-0.31c-0.42-0.163-0.72-0.358-1.035-0.673 c-0.315-0.315-0.51-0.615-0.673-1.035c-0.123-0.317-0.27-0.794-0.31-1.671C4.631,14.688,4.622,14.403,4.622,12 s0.009-2.688,0.052-3.637c0.04-0.877,0.187-1.354,0.31-1.671c0.163-0.42,0.358-0.72,0.673-1.035 c0.315-0.315,0.615-0.51,1.035-0.673c0.317-0.123,0.794-0.27,1.671-0.31C9.312,4.631,9.597,4.622,12,4.622 M12,3 C9.556,3,9.249,3.01,8.289,3.054C7.331,3.098,6.677,3.25,6.105,3.472C5.513,3.702,5.011,4.01,4.511,4.511 c-0.5,0.5-0.808,1.002-1.038,1.594C3.25,6.677,3.098,7.331,3.054,8.289C3.01,9.249,3,9.556,3,12c0,2.444,0.01,2.751,0.054,3.711 c0.044,0.958,0.196,1.612,0.418,2.185c0.23,0.592,0.538,1.094,1.038,1.594c0.5,0.5,1.002,0.808,1.594,1.038 c0.572,0.222,1.227,0.375,2.185,0.418C9.249,20.99,9.556,21,12,21s2.751-0.01,3.711-0.054c0.958-0.044,1.612-0.196,2.185-0.418 c0.592-0.23,1.094-0.538,1.594-1.038c0.5-0.5,0.808-1.002,1.038-1.594c0.222-0.572,0.375-1.227,0.418-2.185 C20.99,14.751,21,14.444,21,12s-0.01-2.751-0.054-3.711c-0.044-0.958-0.196-1.612-0.418-2.185c-0.23-0.592-0.538-1.094-1.038-1.594 c-0.5-0.5-1.002-0.808-1.594-1.038c-0.572-0.222-1.227-0.375-2.185-0.418C14.751,3.01,14.444,3,12,3L12,3z M12,7.378 c-2.552,0-4.622,2.069-4.622,4.622S9.448,16.622,12,16.622s4.622-2.069,4.622-4.622S14.552,7.378,12,7.378z M12,15 c-1.657,0-3-1.343-3-3s1.343-3,3-3s3,1.343,3,3S13.657,15,12,15z M16.804,6.116c-0.596,0-1.08,0.484-1.08,1.08 s0.484,1.08,1.08,1.08c0.596,0,1.08-0.484,1.08-1.08S17.401,6.116,16.804,6.116z"></path></svg><span class="wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text">Instagram</span></a></li> <li style="color:var( --wdg-color-white )" class="wp-social-link wp-social-link-linkedin has-white-color wp-block-social-link"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/aspeneop/" class="wp-block-social-link-anchor"><svg width="24" height="24" viewBox="0 0 24 24" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M19.7,3H4.3C3.582,3,3,3.582,3,4.3v15.4C3,20.418,3.582,21,4.3,21h15.4c0.718,0,1.3-0.582,1.3-1.3V4.3 C21,3.582,20.418,3,19.7,3z M8.339,18.338H5.667v-8.59h2.672V18.338z M7.004,8.574c-0.857,0-1.549-0.694-1.549-1.548 c0-0.855,0.691-1.548,1.549-1.548c0.854,0,1.547,0.694,1.547,1.548C8.551,7.881,7.858,8.574,7.004,8.574z M18.339,18.338h-2.669 v-4.177c0-0.996-0.017-2.278-1.387-2.278c-1.389,0-1.601,1.086-1.601,2.206v4.249h-2.667v-8.59h2.559v1.174h0.037 c0.356-0.675,1.227-1.387,2.526-1.387c2.703,0,3.203,1.779,3.203,4.092V18.338z"></path></svg><span class="wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text">LinkedIn</span></a></li> <li style="color:var( --wdg-color-white )" class="wp-social-link wp-social-link-threads has-white-color wp-block-social-link"><a href="https://www.threads.com/@aspeneop" class="wp-block-social-link-anchor"><svg width="24" height="24" viewBox="0 0 24 24" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M16.3 11.3c-.1 0-.2-.1-.2-.1-.1-2.6-1.5-4-3.9-4-1.4 0-2.6.6-3.3 1.7l1.3.9c.5-.8 1.4-1 2-1 .8 0 1.4.2 1.7.7.3.3.5.8.5 1.3-.7-.1-1.4-.2-2.2-.1-2.2.1-3.7 1.4-3.6 3.2 0 .9.5 1.7 1.3 2.2.7.4 1.5.6 2.4.6 1.2-.1 2.1-.5 2.7-1.3.5-.6.8-1.4.9-2.4.6.3 1 .8 1.2 1.3.4.9.4 2.4-.8 3.6-1.1 1.1-2.3 1.5-4.3 1.5-2.1 0-3.8-.7-4.8-2S5.7 14.3 5.7 12c0-2.3.5-4.1 1.5-5.4 1.1-1.3 2.7-2 4.8-2 2.2 0 3.8.7 4.9 2 .5.7.9 1.5 1.2 2.5l1.5-.4c-.3-1.2-.8-2.2-1.5-3.1-1.3-1.7-3.3-2.6-6-2.6-2.6 0-4.7.9-6 2.6C4.9 7.2 4.3 9.3 4.3 12s.6 4.8 1.9 6.4c1.4 1.7 3.4 2.6 6 2.6 2.3 0 4-.6 5.3-2 1.8-1.8 1.7-4 1.1-5.4-.4-.9-1.2-1.7-2.3-2.3zm-4 3.8c-1 .1-2-.4-2-1.3 0-.7.5-1.5 2.1-1.6h.5c.6 0 1.1.1 1.6.2-.2 2.3-1.3 2.7-2.2 2.7z"/></svg><span class="wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text">Threads</span></a></li> <li style="color:var( --wdg-color-white )" class="wp-social-link wp-social-link-x has-white-color wp-block-social-link"><a href="https://x.com/AspenEOP" class="wp-block-social-link-anchor"><svg width="24" height="24" viewBox="0 0 24 24" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M13.982 10.622 20.54 3h-1.554l-5.693 6.618L8.745 3H3.5l6.876 10.007L3.5 21h1.554l6.012-6.989L15.868 21h5.245l-7.131-10.378Zm-2.128 2.474-.697-.997-5.543-7.93H8l4.474 6.4.697.996 5.815 8.318h-2.387l-4.745-6.787Z" /></svg><span class="wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text">X</span></a></li> <li style="color:var( --wdg-color-white )" class="wp-social-link wp-social-link-youtube has-white-color wp-block-social-link"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@AspenEOP" class="wp-block-social-link-anchor"><svg width="24" height="24" viewBox="0 0 24 24" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M21.8,8.001c0,0-0.195-1.378-0.795-1.985c-0.76-0.797-1.613-0.801-2.004-0.847c-2.799-0.202-6.997-0.202-6.997-0.202 h-0.009c0,0-4.198,0-6.997,0.202C4.608,5.216,3.756,5.22,2.995,6.016C2.395,6.623,2.2,8.001,2.2,8.001S2,9.62,2,11.238v1.517 c0,1.618,0.2,3.237,0.2,3.237s0.195,1.378,0.795,1.985c0.761,0.797,1.76,0.771,2.205,0.855c1.6,0.153,6.8,0.201,6.8,0.201 s4.203-0.006,7.001-0.209c0.391-0.047,1.243-0.051,2.004-0.847c0.6-0.607,0.795-1.985,0.795-1.985s0.2-1.618,0.2-3.237v-1.517 C22,9.62,21.8,8.001,21.8,8.001z M9.935,14.594l-0.001-5.62l5.404,2.82L9.935,14.594z"></path></svg><span class="wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text">YouTube</span></a></li></ul> </div> </div> <div class="card-slider alignfull has-grid-spacing-small"><div class="card-slider__nav"> <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-h4-variant" id="h-more-from-the-economic-opportunities-program">More from the Economic Opportunities Program</h2> <button type="button" class="card-slider__go card-slider__go--back" aria-label="Previous"> <svg class="svg svg--svg-assets-svg-icon-arrow-left" role="img" focusable="false" height="0" width="0"><use xlink:href="#svg-assets-svg-icon-arrow-left"/></svg> </button> <button type="button" class="card-slider__go card-slider__go--forward" aria-label="Next"> <svg class="svg svg--svg-assets-svg-icon-arrow-right" role="img" focusable="false" height="0" width="0"><use xlink:href="#svg-assets-svg-icon-arrow-right"/></svg> </button> </div> <div class="card-slider__content"><div class="dyn-card"> <div class="dyn-card__wrap"> <div class="dyn-card__media"> <figure class="dyn-card__image"> <a class="dyn-card__image-link" href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/videos/how-tax-policy-can-help-employers-expand-access-to-learning/" tabindex="-1"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1280" height="720" src="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/UpSkill-Nick-Greif-Interview-Card.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large" alt="How Tax Policy Can Help Employers Expand Access to Learning" style="object-position: 50% 50%" /> </a> </figure> <div class="dyn-card__label"> <span class="has-meta-variant">Podcasts</span> <span>Videos</span> </div> </div> <div class="dyn-card__content"> <h2 class="dyn-card__title has-h5-variant"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/videos/how-tax-policy-can-help-employers-expand-access-to-learning/">How Tax Policy Can Help Employers Expand Access to Learning</a></h2><div class="dyn-card__excerpt">In this interview, Chelsea Miller of Upskill America speaks with Nick Greif of InStride about how employers can design education benefits that are more accessible, strategic, and aligned with workforce goals.</div><p class="dyn-card__meta dyn-card__date"><button class="favorite" data-id="318780" data-state="" title="Favorites are not currently available" disabled><span class="favorite__on">Unfavorite</span><span class="favorite__off">Favorite</span><svg class="svg svg--svg-assets-svg-icon-bookmark" role="img" focusable="false" height="15" width="11"><use xlink:href="#svg-assets-svg-icon-bookmark"/></svg></button><time>September 8, 2026</time></p><ul class="dyn-card__meta dyn-card__people"><li class="dyn-card__person"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/people/chelsea-miller/">Chelsea Miller</a></li></ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="dyn-card"> <div class="dyn-card__wrap"> <div class="dyn-card__media"> <figure class="dyn-card__image"> <a class="dyn-card__image-link" href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/blog-posts/the-us-economy-depends-on-immigrant-workers-their-job-quality-matters-for-everyone/" tabindex="-1"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/GettyImages-2273658083-1500x1000.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large" alt="The US economy depends on immigrant workers. Their job quality matters for everyone." style="object-position: 50% 50%" /> </a> </figure> <div class="dyn-card__label"> <span class="has-meta-variant">Blog Posts</span> </div> </div> <div class="dyn-card__content"> <h2 class="dyn-card__title has-h5-variant"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/blog-posts/the-us-economy-depends-on-immigrant-workers-their-job-quality-matters-for-everyone/">The US economy depends on immigrant workers. Their job quality matters for everyone.</a></h2><div class="dyn-card__excerpt">The future of America’s economic strength depends on immigration. As the US birth rate declines and the median age goes up, fewer US-born workers will enter the labor force. </div><p class="dyn-card__meta dyn-card__date"><button class="favorite" data-id="316801" data-state="" title="Favorites are not currently available" disabled><span class="favorite__on">Unfavorite</span><span class="favorite__off">Favorite</span><svg class="svg svg--svg-assets-svg-icon-bookmark" role="img" focusable="false" height="15" width="11"><use xlink:href="#svg-assets-svg-icon-bookmark"/></svg></button><time>September 3, 2026</time></p><ul class="dyn-card__meta dyn-card__people"><li class="dyn-card__person"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/people/maxwell-johnson/">Maxwell Johnson</a></li></ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="dyn-card"> <div class="dyn-card__wrap"> <div class="dyn-card__media"> <figure class="dyn-card__image"> <a class="dyn-card__image-link" href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/videos/metrics-that-matter-improving-financial-analysis-of-cdfi-small-business-lenders/" tabindex="-1"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/GettyImages-2203913963-1500x1000.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large" alt="Metrics that Matter: Improving Financial Analysis of CDFI Small Business Lenders" style="object-position: 50% 50%" /> </a> </figure> <div class="dyn-card__label"> <span class="has-meta-variant">Podcasts</span> <span>Videos</span> </div> </div> <div class="dyn-card__content"> <h2 class="dyn-card__title has-h5-variant"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/videos/metrics-that-matter-improving-financial-analysis-of-cdfi-small-business-lenders/">Metrics that Matter: Improving Financial Analysis of CDFI Small Business Lenders</a></h2><div class="dyn-card__excerpt">This is the final event in our Job Quality in Practice series. In this conversation, hosted by the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program on May 7, 2026, we hear from the Institute’s Job Quality Fellows who are embedding job quality into their work across a range of contexts and strategies — from employee ownership models that give workers a direct financial stake in their company&#8217;s success, to apprenticeship programs that create structured pathways to higher-wage careers, to worker advisory committees that bring employee voice into business decision-making.</div><p class="dyn-card__meta dyn-card__date"><button class="favorite" data-id="316631" data-state="" title="Favorites are not currently available" disabled><span class="favorite__on">Unfavorite</span><span class="favorite__off">Favorite</span><svg class="svg svg--svg-assets-svg-icon-bookmark" role="img" focusable="false" height="15" width="11"><use xlink:href="#svg-assets-svg-icon-bookmark"/></svg></button><time>September 2, 2026</time></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="dyn-card"> <div class="dyn-card__wrap"> <div class="dyn-card__media"> <figure class="dyn-card__image"> <a class="dyn-card__image-link" href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/blog-posts/nonprofits-need-better-jobs/" tabindex="-1"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1500" height="785" src="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/GettyImages-1138234373-1500x785.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large" alt="Nonprofits Need Better Jobs" style="object-position:58% 37%" /> </a> </figure> <div class="dyn-card__label"> <span class="has-meta-variant">Blog Posts</span> </div> </div> <div class="dyn-card__content"> <h2 class="dyn-card__title has-h5-variant"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/blog-posts/nonprofits-need-better-jobs/">Nonprofits Need Better Jobs</a></h2><div class="dyn-card__excerpt">This brief shares key lessons and takeaways that could be used to implement internal job quality practices to strengthen CDFIs and other small business support organizations. </div><p class="dyn-card__meta dyn-card__date"><button class="favorite" data-id="280429" data-state="" title="Favorites are not currently available" disabled><span class="favorite__on">Unfavorite</span><span class="favorite__off">Favorite</span><svg class="svg svg--svg-assets-svg-icon-bookmark" role="img" focusable="false" height="15" width="11"><use xlink:href="#svg-assets-svg-icon-bookmark"/></svg></button><time>September 2, 2026</time></p><ul class="dyn-card__meta dyn-card__people"><li class="dyn-card__person"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/people/bryn-morgan/">Bryn Morgan</a></li></ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="dyn-card"> <div class="dyn-card__wrap"> <div class="dyn-card__media"> <figure class="dyn-card__image"> <a class="dyn-card__image-link" href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/blog-posts/adult-working-learners-vote-with-their-feet-what-employers-are-learning-about-foundational-skills/" tabindex="-1"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/GettyImages-2182998150-1500x1000.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large" alt="Adult Working Learners Vote With Their Feet: What Employers Are Learning About Foundational Skills" style="object-position:56% 42%" /> </a> </figure> <div class="dyn-card__label"> <span class="has-meta-variant">Blog Posts</span> </div> </div> <div class="dyn-card__content"> <h2 class="dyn-card__title has-h5-variant"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/blog-posts/adult-working-learners-vote-with-their-feet-what-employers-are-learning-about-foundational-skills/">Adult Working Learners Vote With Their Feet: What Employers Are Learning About Foundational Skills</a></h2><div class="dyn-card__excerpt">Putting people at the center of the systems we are building means accepting that career paths are rarely linear. It requires us to build infrastructure that accommodates life transitions, recognizes informal learning, and values a worker&#8217;s agency over their own data. </div><p class="dyn-card__meta dyn-card__date"><button class="favorite" data-id="308996" data-state="" title="Favorites are not currently available" disabled><span class="favorite__on">Unfavorite</span><span class="favorite__off">Favorite</span><svg class="svg svg--svg-assets-svg-icon-bookmark" role="img" focusable="false" height="15" width="11"><use xlink:href="#svg-assets-svg-icon-bookmark"/></svg></button><time>September 1, 2026</time></p><ul class="dyn-card__meta dyn-card__people"><li class="dyn-card__person"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/people/chelsea-miller/">Chelsea Miller</a></li></ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="dyn-card"> <div class="dyn-card__wrap"> <div class="dyn-card__media"> <figure class="dyn-card__image"> <a class="dyn-card__image-link" href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/blog-posts/economic-opportunities-program-monthly-digest-august-2026/" tabindex="-1"> <div class="dyn-card__image-placeholder"> <span class="a11y">Placeholder</span> </div> </a> </figure> <div class="dyn-card__label"> <span class="has-meta-variant">Blog Posts</span> </div> </div> <div class="dyn-card__content"> <h2 class="dyn-card__title has-h5-variant"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/blog-posts/economic-opportunities-program-monthly-digest-august-2026/">Economic Opportunities Program Monthly Digest — August 2026</a></h2><p class="dyn-card__meta dyn-card__date"><button class="favorite" data-id="314192" data-state="" title="Favorites are not currently available" disabled><span class="favorite__on">Unfavorite</span><span class="favorite__off">Favorite</span><svg class="svg svg--svg-assets-svg-icon-bookmark" role="img" focusable="false" height="15" width="11"><use xlink:href="#svg-assets-svg-icon-bookmark"/></svg></button><time>August 31, 2026</time></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="dyn-card"> <div class="dyn-card__wrap"> <div class="dyn-card__media"> <figure class="dyn-card__image"> <a class="dyn-card__image-link" href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/blog-posts/resource-roundup-labor-is-changing-labor-policy-should-too/" tabindex="-1"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1500" height="750" src="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/GettyImages-2207503021-1500x750.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large" alt="Resource Roundup: Labor is changing. Labor policy should too." style="object-position: 50% 50%" /> </a> </figure> <div class="dyn-card__label"> <span class="has-meta-variant">Blog Posts</span> </div> </div> <div class="dyn-card__content"> <h2 class="dyn-card__title has-h5-variant"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/blog-posts/resource-roundup-labor-is-changing-labor-policy-should-too/">Resource Roundup: Labor is changing. Labor policy should too.</a></h2><p class="dyn-card__meta dyn-card__date"><button class="favorite" data-id="313952" data-state="" title="Favorites are not currently available" disabled><span class="favorite__on">Unfavorite</span><span class="favorite__off">Favorite</span><svg class="svg svg--svg-assets-svg-icon-bookmark" role="img" focusable="false" height="15" width="11"><use xlink:href="#svg-assets-svg-icon-bookmark"/></svg></button><time>August 31, 2026</time></p><ul class="dyn-card__meta dyn-card__people"><li class="dyn-card__person"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/people/maxwell-johnson/">Maxwell Johnson</a></li></ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="dyn-card"> <div class="dyn-card__wrap"> <div class="dyn-card__media"> <figure class="dyn-card__image"> <a class="dyn-card__image-link" href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/videos/the-impact-of-foundational-skills-on-workforce-success/" tabindex="-1"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1041" height="701" src="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot-2026-08-25-at-3.25.31-PM.png" class="attachment-large size-large" alt="The Impact of Foundational Skills on Workforce Success" style="object-position: 50% 50%" /> </a> </figure> <div class="dyn-card__label"> <span class="has-meta-variant">Podcasts</span> <span>Videos</span> </div> </div> <div class="dyn-card__content"> <h2 class="dyn-card__title has-h5-variant"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/videos/the-impact-of-foundational-skills-on-workforce-success/">The Impact of Foundational Skills on Workforce Success</a></h2><div class="dyn-card__excerpt">This is the final event in our Job Quality in Practice series. In this conversation, hosted by the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program on May 7, 2026, we hear from the Institute’s Job Quality Fellows who are embedding job quality into their work across a range of contexts and strategies — from employee ownership models that give workers a direct financial stake in their company&#8217;s success, to apprenticeship programs that create structured pathways to higher-wage careers, to worker advisory committees that bring employee voice into business decision-making.</div><p class="dyn-card__meta dyn-card__date"><button class="favorite" data-id="306850" data-state="" title="Favorites are not currently available" disabled><span class="favorite__on">Unfavorite</span><span class="favorite__off">Favorite</span><svg class="svg svg--svg-assets-svg-icon-bookmark" role="img" focusable="false" height="15" width="11"><use xlink:href="#svg-assets-svg-icon-bookmark"/></svg></button><time>August 25, 2026</time></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-h4-variant" id="h-about-this-post">About This Post</h2> <div class="wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h3 class="wp-block-heading has-kicker-variant" id="h-people-authors">People/Authors</h3> <div class="post-taxonomies"> <div class="post-taxonomies__layout"> </div> </div> </div> <div class="wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h3 class="wp-block-heading has-kicker-variant" id="h-series">Series</h3> <div class="post-taxonomies"> <div class="post-taxonomies__layout"> <ul class="post-taxonomy"><li class="post-taxonomy__term"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/programs/economic-opportunities-program/series/monthly-digest/">Monthly Digest</a></li></ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h3 class="wp-block-heading has-kicker-variant" id="h-programs">Programs</h3> <div class="post-taxonomies"> <div class="post-taxonomies__layout"> <ul class="post-taxonomy"><li class="post-taxonomy__term"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/programs/economic-opportunities-program/">Economic Opportunities Program</a></li></ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h3 class="wp-block-heading has-kicker-variant" id="h-tags">Tags</h3> <div class="post-taxonomies"> <div class="post-taxonomies__layout"> <ul class="post-taxonomy"><li class="post-taxonomy__term"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/tag/ai/">AI</a></li><li class="post-taxonomy__term"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/tag/artificial-intelligence/">Artificial Intelligence</a></li><li class="post-taxonomy__term"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/tag/cdfi/">CDFI</a></li><li class="post-taxonomy__term"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/tag/cdfis/">CDFIs</a></li><li class="post-taxonomy__term"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/tag/job-quality/">Job Quality</a></li><li class="post-taxonomy__term"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/tag/labor-day/">Labor Day</a></li><li class="post-taxonomy__term"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/tag/small-business/">small business</a></li><li class="post-taxonomy__term"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/tag/small-business-finance/">small business finance</a></li><li class="post-taxonomy__term"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/tag/small-business-lending/">Small business lending</a></li></ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h3 class="wp-block-heading has-kicker-variant" id="h-topics">Topics</h3> <div class="post-taxonomies"> <div class="post-taxonomies__layout"> <ul class="post-taxonomy"><li class="post-taxonomy__term"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/topic/economic-opportunity/">Economic Opportunity</a></li></ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h3 class="wp-block-heading has-kicker-variant" id="h-impact-areas">Impact Areas</h3> <div class="post-taxonomies"> <div class="post-taxonomies__layout"> <ul class="post-taxonomy"><li class="post-taxonomy__term"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/impact-area/economic-opportunity/">Economic Opportunity</a></li></ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h3 class="wp-block-heading has-kicker-variant" id="h-content-categories">Content Categories</h3> <div class="post-taxonomies"> <div class="post-taxonomies__layout"> <ul class="post-taxonomy"><li class="post-taxonomy__term"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/category/blog-posts/">Blog Posts</a></li></ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p>The post <a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/blog-posts/economic-opportunities-program-monthly-digest-august-2026/">Economic Opportunities Program Monthly Digest — August 2026</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org">Aspen Institute</a>.</p>