Economic Opportunities Program Monthly Digest — September 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="320967" 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"> September 30, 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-publications" class="wp-block-heading has-h4-variant">Publications</h2> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li class=""><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/publications/foundational-skills-early-insights-from-employers-and-providers/">Foundational Skills: Early Insights from Employers and Providers</a> by Chelsea Miller, UpSkill America</li> </ul> <p class="wp-block-paragraph"><br><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/programs/economic-opportunities-program/publications/">Click here</a> to view more publications.</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/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>by Chelsea Miller (UpSkill America)</li> <li class=""><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/blog-posts/nonprofits-need-better-jobs/">Nonprofits Need Better Jobs</a> by Bryn Morgan</li> <li class=""><a href="https://federalnewsnetwork.com/commentary/2026/09/the-forgotten-goal-of-labor-policy-make-work-better/">The Forgotten Goal of Labor Policy: Make Work Better</a> by Maureen Conway, in the Federal News Network</li> <li class=""><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/blog-posts/the-workforce-of-the-future-starts-with-adult-basic-education/">The Workforce of the Future Starts with Adult Basic Education</a> by Haley Glover (UpSkill America) and Sharon Bonney (COABE)</li> <li class=""><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>. by Maxwell Johnson</li> <li class=""><a href="https://thehill.com/opinion/congress-blog/labor/6072884-osha-safety-standards-failure/">Why The U.S. Is Failing to Protect Its Most Valuable Asset: Workers</a> by Matt Helmer, in The Hill</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/disposable-workers-a-book-talk-with-mit-sloan-professor-paul-osterman/">“Disposable Workers: A Book Talk with MIT Sloan Professor Paul Osterman</a> featuring Paul Osterman (author, “Disposable Workers: The Transformation of Employment”) and moderator Maureen Conway (Aspen Institute). Hosted by the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program on September 9. Highlights:</p> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li class=""><a href="https://youtu.be/-qknS2-4mDo?si=ixez5VKY9lP1QCCz">35% of the Workforce is &#8216;Disposable&#8217;</a> — Paul Osterman Explains His Book Disposable Workers</li> <li class=""><a href="https://youtu.be/ShyecfOqeJk?si=9L3ww51a6ilQPsbc">Why Worker Misclassification is a Broad-Based Issue</a> – Paul Osterman, Disposable Workers</li> <li class=""><a href="https://youtu.be/mgBrQduK8-Y?si=craoHAKA_LjDpZux">Will AI Create More Disposable Workers?</a> – Paul Osterman, Disposable Workers</li> <li class=""><a href="https://youtu.be/Alrl8L_Jmxw?si=LMlYAEmsC3ShiQzR">Why Employers Won&#8217;t Fix Disposable Work on Their Own</a> – Paul Osterman, Disposable Workers</li> </ul> <p class="wp-block-paragraph"><br><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>, an interview featuring Chelsea Miller (Upskill America), speaks with Nick Greif (InStride) about how employers can design education benefits that are more accessible, strategic, and aligned with workforce goals.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph"><br><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/videos/work-and-the-social-contract-in-the-age-of-ai-how-did-we-get-here/">Work and the Social Contract in the Age of AI: How did we get here?</a> A webinar featuring Joseph Blasi (Rutgers University), Chris Hyams (Huston‑Tillotson University), Erica Smiley (Jobs with Justice), and moderator Marshall Kosloff (Niskanen Center), with opening remarks from Liba Wenig Rubenstein (Aspen Institute). Hosted by the Aspen Institute Future of Work Initiative on September 23. Highlights:</p> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li class=""><a href="https://youtu.be/I6wX9Iht9PM?si=z_oTESIxa3LOuMXb">AI is Forcing a New Social Contract: Who Gets to Write It?</a> — Liba Wenig Rubenstein</li> <li class=""><a href="https://youtu.be/iLJSOP-hSUY?si=t-UHStNvxHqjT-BA">We Can Choose to Incentivize Human Labor</a> — Chris Hyams</li> <li class=""><a href="https://youtu.be/en3FI5Dn-8g?si=aEx4Mv_5n27f_2oS">Applying American founding principles to an AI-enabled economy</a> — Joseph Blasi</li> <li class=""><a href="https://youtu.be/83qNS68pq5k?si=KW74ebodk7jIrj-5">Measuring the Social Contract Beyond Wages</a> — Erica Smiley</li> </ul> <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> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li class=""><a href="https://pod.link/1503944129/episode/MGI5ZTUzMmYtMzgwMy00NjBmLTk4YmMtNjgwNzQzM2VkMTNh?view=apps&amp;sort=popularity">Disposable Workers: A Book Talk with MIT Sloan Professor Paul Osterman</a> featuring Paul Osterman (author, “Disposable Workers: The Transformation of Employment”) and moderator Maureen Conway (Aspen Institute). Hosted by the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program on September 9.</li> <li class=""><a href="https://pod.link/1503944129/episode/ZmQ2NGEwNzktZWEzMi00MzZjLWJmYzUtNjczNmNhOTM2NDQ2">How Tax Policy Can Help Employers Expand Access to Learning</a>, an interview featuring Chelsea Miller (Upskill America), speaks with Nick Greif (InStride) about how employers can design education benefits that are more accessible, strategic, and aligned with workforce goals.</li> <li class=""><a href="https://pod.link/1503944129/episode/MzZmMzNjZWEtZGM2NS00MzQ4LWIzMzUtMThkNDg3M2YwNzhj">Work and the Social Contract in the Age of AI: How did we get here?</a> A webinar featuring Joseph Blasi (Rutgers University), Chris Hyams (Huston‑Tillotson University), Erica Smiley (Jobs with Justice), and moderator Marshall Kosloff (Niskanen Center), with opening remarks from Liba Wenig Rubenstein (Aspen Institute). Hosted by the Aspen Institute Future of Work Initiative on September 23.</li> </ul> <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/building-an-ownership-culture-from-the-shop-floor-to-the-national-narrative/">From the Forum – Building an Ownership Culture: From the Shop Floor to the National Narrative</a></li> <li class=""><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/blog-posts/data-centers-and-the-workforce/">Resource Roundup: Data Centers and the Workforce</a></li> <li class=""><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/blog-posts/upcoming-events-from-the-economic-opportunities-program-september-2026/">Upcoming Events – September 2026</a></li> <li class=""><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/blog-posts/economic-opportunities-program-monthly-digest-august-2026/">Monthly Digest – August 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-in-the-news" class="wp-block-heading has-h4-variant">In the News</h2> <p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2026/09/25/work-based-learning-dmv-employers-talent-pipeline.html">Work-Based Learning Is Helping DMV Employers Build Talent Pipeline</a>. The Washington Business Journal and Strada Education Foundation brought together regional business and workforce leaders to discuss how work-based learning programs can strengthen talent pipelines. The conversation features insights from UpSkill America Director of Research Annelies Goger and draws on findings from <a href="https://www.strada.org/reports/maximizing-the-value-of-internships-advice-from-employers">Maximizing the Value</a> of Internships, research from Strada Education Foundation developed in partnership with UpSkill America.</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="">October 7 — <a href="https://aspeninstitute.zoom.us/webinar/register/5017906262400/WN_CldBjMYHSi-mMU8VpxWwOg">Building Economic Security: A Book Talk with Arindrajit Dube and Carrie Joy Grimes</a> (free, online).</li> <li class="">October 29 – <a href="https://aspeninstitute.zoom.us/webinar/register/2017907000754/WN_ddNo3_qATh-7FRLBG-4_TA">What Employee Ownership Means to Workers</a> (free, online).</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 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class="dyn-card__content"> <h2 class="dyn-card__title has-h5-variant"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/publications/employee-ownership-for-state-and-local-governments/">Employee Ownership: An Economic and Workforce Development Strategy for State and Local Governments</a></h2><p class="dyn-card__meta dyn-card__date"><button class="favorite" data-id="321269" 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>October 7, 2026</time></p><ul class="dyn-card__meta dyn-card__people"><li class="dyn-card__person"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/people/matt-helmer/">Matt Helmer</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/resource-roundup-data-centers-and-the-workforce/" tabindex="-1"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/GettyImages-2267421306-1500x1000.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large" alt="Resource Roundup: Data Centers and the Workforce" 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-data-centers-and-the-workforce/">Resource Roundup: Data Centers and the Workforce</a></h2><p class="dyn-card__meta dyn-card__date"><button class="favorite" data-id="320843" 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 30, 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/blog-posts/economic-opportunities-program-monthly-digest-september-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-september-2026/">Economic Opportunities Program Monthly Digest — September 2026</a></h2><p class="dyn-card__meta dyn-card__date"><button class="favorite" data-id="320967" 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 30, 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/videos/work-and-the-social-contract-in-the-age-of-ai-how-did-we-get-here/" tabindex="-1"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1280" height="720" src="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Featured-image_EOP-FOW-Work-And-The-Social-Contract.png" class="attachment-large size-large" alt="Work and the Social Contract in the Age of AI: How did we get here?" 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/work-and-the-social-contract-in-the-age-of-ai-how-did-we-get-here/">Work and the Social Contract in the Age of AI: How did we get here?</a></h2><div class="dyn-card__excerpt">“Social contract” has quickly become one of the most-used, least-defined phrases in the AI policy conversation. This first event in a two-part series will trace the origin and history of the American social contract, examining how work became the anchor of economic security, mobility, and civic identity in the United States.</div><p class="dyn-card__meta dyn-card__date"><button class="favorite" data-id="320428" 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 28, 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/videos/disposable-workers-a-book-talk-with-mit-sloan-professor-paul-osterman/" tabindex="-1"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1080" height="1080" src="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Disposable-Workers-1080x1080-2-social-posts.png" class="attachment-large size-large" alt="Disposable Workers: A Book Talk with MIT Sloan Professor Paul Osterman" style="object-position: 49% 39%" /> </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/disposable-workers-a-book-talk-with-mit-sloan-professor-paul-osterman/">Disposable Workers: A Book Talk with MIT Sloan Professor Paul Osterman</a></h2><div class="dyn-card__excerpt">For decades, economists and policymakers have debated how to help workers get better jobs. But what if the more fundamental problem is that employers have systematically redesigned work itself to make a third of the workforce expendable? In his forthcoming book, “Disposable Workers: The Transformation of Employment,” MIT Sloan Professor Emeritus Paul Osterman examines this idea and what it would take to reverse it.</div><p class="dyn-card__meta dyn-card__date"><button class="favorite" data-id="319099" 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 22, 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/building-an-ownership-culture-from-the-shop-floor-to-the-national-narrative/" tabindex="-1"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1280" height="720" src="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/FTF-Shifting-Culture-to-Advance-Employee-Ownership.png" class="attachment-large size-large" alt="Building an Ownership Culture: From the Shop Floor to the National Narrative" 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/building-an-ownership-culture-from-the-shop-floor-to-the-national-narrative/">Building an Ownership Culture: From the Shop Floor to the National Narrative</a></h2><p class="dyn-card__meta dyn-card__date"><button class="favorite" data-id="320422" 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 21, 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/the-workforce-of-the-future-starts-with-adult-basic-education/" tabindex="-1"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1081" height="681" src="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot-2026-09-15-at-4.53.41-PM.png" class="attachment-large size-large" alt="The Workforce of the Future Starts with Adult Basic Education" style="object-position:46% 5%" /> </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-workforce-of-the-future-starts-with-adult-basic-education/">The Workforce of the Future Starts with Adult Basic Education</a></h2><div class="dyn-card__excerpt">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.</div><p class="dyn-card__meta dyn-card__date"><button class="favorite" data-id="319204" 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 16, 2026</time></p><ul class="dyn-card__meta dyn-card__people"><li class="dyn-card__person"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/people/haley-glover/">Haley Glover</a></li><li class="dyn-card__person">Sharon Bonney</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/publications/foundational-skills-early-insights-from-employers-and-providers/" tabindex="-1"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1001" height="1500" src="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/GettyImages-626469398-1001x1500.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large" alt="Foundational Skills: Early Insights from Employers and Providers" style="object-position: 50% 50%" /> </a> </figure> <div class="dyn-card__label"> <span class="has-meta-variant">Publications</span> </div> </div> <div class="dyn-card__content"> <h2 class="dyn-card__title has-h5-variant"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/publications/foundational-skills-early-insights-from-employers-and-providers/">Foundational Skills: Early Insights from Employers and Providers</a></h2><div class="dyn-card__excerpt">This publication examines how fragmented skills, credentialing, and workforce data systems limit the potential of skills-based hiring and advancement, and outlines a shared vision for building the interoperable infrastructure needed to create a connected skills ecosystem that benefits workers, employers, educators, and governments.</div><p class="dyn-card__meta dyn-card__date"><button class="favorite" data-id="318971" 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 14, 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> </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-september-2026/">Economic Opportunities Program Monthly Digest — September 2026</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org">Aspen Institute</a>.</p>