The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled President Joe Biden’s student debt forgiveness program unconstitutional. The White House and federal lawmakers are now exploring other ways to help borrowers. But focusing on student debt alone will not solve the college cost crisis — and it will not help people discover their unique interests and aptitudes, says … Continued
In June, the Charles Koch Foundation (CKF) sponsored the Horizons Summit, presented by Jobs for the Future, in New Orleans. The two-day conference focused on investing in human potential and redesigning talent pipelines so they work for both workers and employers. Case studies show how employers can change talent strategies mindset Two CKF partners, Per … Continued
Major employers — including the state governments of Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Utah — have done away with bachelor’s degree requirements for many jobs, opening up opportunities for millions of Americans. Yet, research shows most hiring managers still prioritize a bachelor’s degree in their hiring decisions even though millions of U.S. jobs go unfilled month after month. To find workers for these open positions, … Continued
The U.S. labor force participation rate has plummeted over the last generation. Why are millions of potential workers dropping out of the workforce? Because when it comes to getting a job, skills matter — but when it comes to staying in a job, purpose matters. Americans want their work to connect to what gives them meaning. As … Continued
Almost every industry is having trouble filling job openings. To fill more positions while finding the right person for the job, employers can turn to skills-based hiring. Helping employers understand skills-based hiring According to SHRM, 72 percent of U.S. workers believe skilled credentials are an affordable way to gain the skills or experience necessary to find … Continued
While Americans rate community safety, law enforcement, and crime as some of the issues that concern them most, it is challenging to get basic information and data regarding how state and local criminal justice systems function. The University of North Carolina’s (UNC) Criminal Justice Innovation Lab addresses that gap by producing foundational research, executing innovative pilot projects, … Continued
The Navajo Nation is one of the largest Native American tribes in North America, but tribal members are moving away from the community’s land at an astonishing rate. More than one-third of members no longer live within the Navajo Nation’s borders and, each year, about 3,500 high school graduates relocate. Structural barriers to economic opportunity … Continued
Few things impact our daily lives more than the homes we live in and where those homes are located. The ability for Americans to access housing is a key driver of economic mobility and growth – for individuals and for entire states. Too often, burdensome barriers from land use regulations, including zoning, limit where Americans … Continued
CKF: What are you studying, and what drew you to that major? FIGUEROA: I competed in debate in high school. I was drawn to the law and loved arguing both sides of an issue, but I actually entered Notre Dame as a finance major. As the first in my family to go to college, I … Continued
Skills for America’s Future and the Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation has launched “Connect to Work AZ,” a program that will address underemployment and unemployment by focusing on communities of color and communities that traditionally have suffered from lack of investment. The program will complement existing Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation efforts to help local employers fill … Continued
