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ANNA WATERS

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DESIGN, STRATEGY WORK SAMPLES:

Jobs for the Future: No Dead Ends Contents:

• Campaign Website: Homepage + Pledge

• One-Pagers: Overview + Voter Polling + Fact Sheets

• Social Media: LinkedIn Series + Impact Recaps

• Emails: Memo + Webinar + Newsletter + Action Alert

• Branding: Toolkit + Social Graphics + Visual Identity

Jobs for the Future: No Dead Ends

Writing, Creative Direction, and Strategy by Anna Waters

Primary Audiences:

• Workers and learners in the United States, including students, apprentices, trainees, and jobseekers

• K-12 and postsecondary education practitioners

• Workforce development practitioners

• State and federal policymakers and government agencies

• Employers, funders, donors, media, community partners, advocates, intermediaries, and aligned peer organizations

Contents:

• Campaign Website: Homepage + Pledge >>

Partnered with external vendors and internal program teams and marketing communications staff to produce a campaign hub microsite for JFF’s first-ever national policy and advocacy campaign, No Dead Ends.

By unifying once-siloed issue areas under a shared narrative, visual identity, and communications strategy, I launched a national values-driven pledge that grew into a coalition-style network of more than 100 pledge signatories.

• One-Pagers: Overview + Voter Polling + Fact Sheets

• Social Media: LinkedIn Series + Impact Recaps

• Emails: Memo + Webinar + Newsletter + Action Alert

• Branding: Toolkit + Social Graphics + Visual Identity

Sign the Pledge Sign the

Share #NoDeadEnds:

Join JFF in advocating for policies that put an end to dead ends at school, at work, and in life by signing our No Dead Ends pledge.

You’ll become part of a wide-ranging coalition of leaders and organizations who believe that all people deserve education and workforce systems that recognize and support their lifelong journeys through learning and work.

JFF's No Dead Ends Pledge:

Access to quality learning and work experiences throughout our lives is essential to economic advancement. In signing this pledge, we join Jobs for the Future in advocating for a new approach to learning and work that centers the needs and aspirations of all people in the United States and that eliminates dead ends to economic opportunities. Through advancing policies at federal and state levels, we will strive to realize our vision of a new learn-and-work system free of artiﬁcial endpoints on career pathways, impossible choices between pursuing a career and caregiving responsibilities, and harmful risks when changing direction along a work and learning journey. By putting an end to dead ends at school, at work, and in life, we will create a learn-and-work system that:

Empowers people through data, guidance, and resources to navigate their chosen work and learning journeys; Recognizes all the skills, knowledge, and expertise people acquire throughout their lives, regardless of when and where their learning and development experiences occur; Blurs the lines between learning and work and fosters a common purpose among educators and employers to smooth people’s pathways to career and economic advancement; and Helps people get ahead during times of economic uncertainty and personal adversity.

Blurs the lines between learning and work and fosters a common purpose among educators and employers to smooth people’s pathways to career and economic advancement; and Helps people get ahead during times of economic uncertainty and personal adversity.

After signing the pledge, you will receive more

to take action to eliminate dead

After signing the pledge, you will receive more

policy@jff.org

JFF's No Dead Ends Pledge:

Empowers people through data, guidance, and resources to navigate their chosen work and learning journeys;

Recognizes all the skills, knowledge, and expertise people acquire throughout their lives, regardless of when and where their learning and development experiences occur;

Blurs the lines between learning and work and fosters a common purpose among educators and employers to smooth people’s pathways to career and economic advancement; and

Helps people get ahead during times of economic uncertainty and personal adversity.

Blurs the lines between learning and work and fosters a common purpose among educators and employers to smooth people’s pathways to career and economic advancement; and

After signing the pledge, you will receive more information about the policy priorities of JFF's No Dead Ends campaign as it is rolled out and about opportunities to take action to eliminate dead ends in our education and workforce systems. To connect with JFF's Policy & Advocacy Unit directly, please email policy@jff.org

Are you signing the pledge as an individual, on behalf of an organization, both, or neither?*

Individual – I am signing the pledge on behalf of myself.

Are you signing the pledge as an individual, on behalf of an organization, both, or neither?*

Organization – I am signing the pledge on behalf of my organization, and I am authorized by my organization to do so.

Individual – I am signing the pledge on behalf of myself.

Neither - I am not ready or able to sign the pledge, but I am submitting this form to subscribe to updates from JFF’s Policy & Advocacy team on No Dead Ends.

First name*

name* JFF's No Dead Ends Pledge:

Organization – I am signing the pledge on behalf of my organization, and I am authorized by my organization to do so.

Neither - I am not ready or able to sign the pledge, but I am submitting this form to subscribe to updates from JFF’s Policy & Advocacy team on No Dead Ends.

Last name*

Email*

Job title

Organization name

Organization type

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Postal code

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Policy Priorities Policy Priorities

Learn more about JFF’s policy priorities for No Dead Ends. Read our policy agenda First name*

By clicking submit below, you consent to allow Jobs for the Future to store and process the personal information submitted above to provide you the content requested.

Learn more about JFF’s policy priorities for No Dead Ends. Read our policy agenda

Jobs for the Future: No Dead Ends

Writing, Creative Direction, and Strategy by Anna

Waters

Primary Audiences:

• Workers and learners in the United States, including students, apprentices, trainees, and jobseekers

• K-12 and postsecondary education practitioners

• Workforce development practitioners

• State and federal policymakers and government agencies

• Employers, funders, donors, media, community partners, advocates, intermediaries, and aligned peer organizations

Contents:

• Campaign Website: Homepage + Pledge

• One-Pagers: Overview + Voter Polling + Fact Sheets >>

— Created one-pagers and other materials to communicate JFF’s No Dead Ends policy priorities and the education, workforce, and economic policy issues that voters said were most important to them. In an election year when less than 42% of voters across party lines said they were satisfied with the attention candidates were giving to these issues, I wrote and designed fact sheets to promote the findings of new voter polling commissioned by JFF.

— These findings informed our strategy moving forward, allowing us to adapt campaign messaging to the needs of our audiences as we continued to engage policymakers on key priority areas.

• Social Media: LinkedIn Series + Impact Recaps

• Emails: Memo + Webinar + Newsletter + Action Alert

• Branding: Toolkit + Social Graphics + Visual Identity

No Dead Ends

A Policy Agenda for Ensuring Boundless Opportunities at School, at Work, and in Life

Our nation’s approach to learning and work is not keeping pace with ongoing changes in the circumstances of people’s lives or evolving labor market conditions.

People deserve a different approach—one that produces no dead ends at school, at work, and in life.

Imagine a learn-and-work system with:

• No limits on the aspirations of learners and workers.

• No artificial endpoints on career pathways.

• No limits on the aspirations of learners and workers.

• No ceilings on career advancement.

• No artificial endpoints on career pathways.

• No ceilings on career advancement.

• No impossible choices between pursuing one’s career and taking care of family responsibilities.

• No harmful risks when changing directions in one’s learning and work journey.

• No impossible choices between pursuing one’s career and taking care of family responsibilities.

• No harmful risks when changing directions in one’s learning and work journey.

At Jobs for the Future (JFF), we believe U.S. education and workforce systems and policies must be reengineered to provide boundless opportunities for economic advancement.

If policymakers take on this challenge and eliminate dead ends, the country will make progress toward the ambitious goal we have embraced as our North Star: By 2033, 75 million people facing systemic barriers to advancement will work in quality jobs.

Dead Ends

No Dead Ends

for a Learn-and-Work System With Opportunities at School, at Work, and

JFF’s Policy Agenda for a Learn-and-Work System With Boundless Opportunities at School, at Work, and in Life

in Life

party lines agree on what matters this election year. Do you?

Voters across party lines agree on what matters this election year. Do you?

Jobs for the Future (JFF) launched national campaign calling for candidates for elected office to do election year: Pursue common-sense solutions that meet the needs of workers, and focus more intently issues that voters really care about.

On Super Tuesday, Jobs for the Future (JFF) launched No Dead Ends, a national campaign calling for policymakers and candidates for elected office to do two things this election year: Pursue common-sense bipartisan policy solutions that meet the needs of today’s learners and workers, and focus more intently on the kitchen-table issues that voters really care about.

the first 2024 presidential debate, survey of more than 2,000 ask Democrats, Republicans, whether issues on educational opportunities mattered to them this

In June, just before the first 2024 presidential debate, JFF commissioned a survey of more than 2,000 registered voters to ask Democrats, Republicans, and Independents whether issues on educational and economic opportunities mattered to them this campaign season.

covered in our survey, respondents the five most important:

Voters rated the importance of education, employment, and economic issues on a five-point scale from “very important” or “somewhat important” to “a little important” or “not at all important,” with a neutral option for “don’t know/no opinion.” Ratings of “very important” or “somewhat important” are grouped as “important” below.

What we found: Regardless of which party controls the White House, Congress, or state houses, voters across party lines want elected officials to not only do better, but also reengineer our education and employment systems to eliminate the dead ends millions of workers and learners face in their pursuit of economic advancement.

Of the issues covered in our survey, respondents identified these as the five most important:

employers to hire people based on their whether they hold a college degree.

school students with to develop job-related skills.

people working a full-time job can enough wage to support their families.

information more readily available about opportunities in a local area that pay a family-supporting wage. AGREE IT’S IMPORTANT TO:

Make

people receiving public benefits to ensuring they can keep some benefits increases.

Our polling also revealed that these issues were important to respondents across party lines:

OF VOTERS AGREE IT’S IMPORTANT TO: 77%

OF VOTERS AGREE IT’S IMPORTANT TO:

OF VOTERS AGREE IT’S IMPORTANT TO: 77%

Provide high school students with paid work-based learning experiences, such as youth apprenticeships and internships, while they attend school.

OF VOTERS AGREE IT’S IMPORTANT TO:

Boost funding for college and career advising to help high school students and families make informed choices.

OF VOTERS AGREE IT’S IMPORTANT TO:

Provide high school students with the opportunity to take college-level courses and earn credit toward a college degree or credential.

OF VOTERS AGREE IT’S IMPORTANT TO:

OF VOTERS AGREE IT’S IMPORTANT TO: 71%

Increase funding for registered apprenticeships programs.

OF VOTERS AGREE IT’S IMPORTANT TO:

Increase child care access for workers.

OF VOTERS AGREE IT’S IMPORTANT TO:

OF VOTERS AGREE IT’S IMPORTANT TO: 70%

OF VOTERS AGREE IT’S IMPORTANT TO:

Increase funding for job training programs.

OF VOTERS AGREE IT’S IMPORTANT TO:

OF VOTERS AGREE IT’S IMPORTANT TO: 66%

OF VOTERS AGREE IT’S IMPORTANT TO:

Hold colleges and other postsecondary education and training providers accountable for increasing the number of their graduates who get jobs that pay a family-supporting wage.

Voters are not satisfied with the attention that candidates are giving to these economic and education issues.

SATISFIED WITH ATTENTION TO EMPLOYMENT & ECONOMIC ISSUES: 41% of voters

SATISFIED WITH ATTENTION TO EMPLOYMENT & ECONOMIC ISSUES:

41% of voters

SATISFIED WITH ATTENTION TO POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION & TRAINING ISSUES:

36% of voters

SATISFIED WITH ATTENTION TO SECONDARY EDUCATION ISSUES: 35% of voters

Voters

Voters support the core tenet of the No Dead Ends campaign.

support the core tenet of the No Dead Ends campaign.

Voters support the core tenet of the No Dead Ends campaign.

OF VOTERS AFFIRM : 81%

Everyone should get the support they need to explore their learning and work options and make decisions that best match their goals and needs.

89% of Democrats

78% of Republicans 76% of Independents

78% of Republicans

76% of Independents

Voters rated their support on a five-point scale: “very supportive,” “somewhat supportive,” “neutral,” “somewhat unsupportive,” or “very unsupportive.” Ratings of “very supportive” or “somewhat supportive” are grouped as affirming statements.

Sign the No Dead Ends pledge and read our policy recommendations: info.jff.org/nodeadends

SATISFIED WITH ATTENTION TO SECONDARY EDUCATION ISSUES: 35% of voters

SATISFIED WITH ATTENTION TO SECONDARY EDUCATION ISSUES:

35% of voters

Voters rated their satisfaction on a five-point scale: “very satisfied,” “somewhat satisfied,” “don’t know/no opinion,” “a little satisfied,” or “not at all satisfied.” Ratings of “very satisfied” or “somewhat satisfied” are grouped as “satisfied.”

Voters want elected officials to pursue bipartisan solutions on the issues they think are important.

AGREE IT’S IMPORTANT THAT OFFICIALS PURSUE BIPARTISAN SOLUTIONS ON EMPLOYMENT & ECONOMIC ISSUES:

77% of voters

AGREE IT’S IMPORTANT THAT OFFICIALS PURSUE BIPARTISAN SOLUTIONS ON POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION & TRAINING ISSUES:

72% of voters

AGREE IT’S IMPORTANT THAT OFFICIALS PURSUE BIPARTISAN SOLUTIONS ON SECONDARY EDUCATION ISSUES:

68% of voters

Voters rated the importance of education, employment, and economic issues on a five-point scale: “very important,” “somewhat important,” “don’t know/ no opinion,” “a little important,” or “not at all important.” Ratings of “very important” or “somewhat important” are grouped as “important.”

Building a future that works—for everyone.

Jobs for the Future (JFF) transforms U.S. education and workforce systems to drive economic success for people, businesses, and communities.

We are reimagining what’s possible—leading public, private, and nonprofit changemakers to new ideas and proven solutions that increase economic mobility, strengthen the labor market, and enhance U.S. competitiveness.

Our practice-informed, nonpartisan expertise helps state and federal leaders make real impact. are using skills-first practices to recruit and retain highly skilled talent and sharing strategies for success.

A few examples of our successes together:

4.5M LEARNERS serving

Apprenticeship

35 STATES

EMPLOYERS and are innovating ways to help many more students earn career credentials that lead to good jobs. 500

are expanding proven earn-and-learn models like apprenticeship to more people and more industries.

35 STATES 900 EMPLOYERS and are innovating ways to help many more students earn career credentials that lead to good jobs. 500

are expanding proven earn-and-learn models like apprenticeship to more people and more industries.

expanding proven earn-and-learn models like apprenticeship to more people and more industries.

Need trusted bipartisan ideas to strengthen your workforce? We have a 40-year track record advising Republicans and Democrats.

For example, our Congressional Staff Network and Executive Branch Network are longstanding bipartisan and cross-agency educational opportunities for senior staff who focus on education, workforce development, and economic mobility issues.

Examples of our impact across the country:

Examples of our

impact across the country:

Examples of our impact across the country: Tennessee

Tennessee

Greg Morgan is learning a skilled trade while earning a good living, thanks to JFF’s expansion of apprenticeship. The Nashville resident is an apprentice service technician earning $26 per hour for a large HVAC manufacturer, and he’ll earn as much as $38 per hour in his first year as a full technician. Last year, we helped employers across the country build 35 Registered Apprenticeship programs that served 1,200 apprentices like Morgan in advanced manufacturing alone.

Indiana

Skills-first hiring and talent management practices are accelerating throughout the state, with support from JFF and the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. Together, we’ve trained more than 120 employers, created a learning community to share resources and best practices, and worked with employers to spread the use of digital learning and employment records, which can speed adoption of skills-first hiring.

Texas

To strengthen the state’s workforce, JFF forged connections between education and industry. For example, we helped develop and implement a state plan to increase access to apprenticeships, internships, virtual workspaces, and other work-based learning for Texans. We also advised policymakers on creating a new performance-based funding model for the community college system, incentivizing institutions to improve student outcomes such as increasing the number of people earning credentials with labor market value. JFF

Improving CareerDriven Education

81% OF REGISTERED VOTERS

surveyed said they favor policy action to prioritize K-12 and higher education curricula that prepare people for jobs in high-skill, highwage, and in-demand industries.

81% OF REGISTERED VOTERS

surveyed said they favor policy action to prioritize K-12 and higher education curricula that prepare people for jobs in high-skill, highwage, and in-demand industries.

Source: Morning Consult survey for JFF, September 2024.

surveyed said they favor policy action to prioritize K-12 and higher education curricula that prepare people for jobs in high-skill, highwage, and in-demand industries.

Improving CareerDriven Education

Many students and workers are seeking career-driven education and training that align with good jobs and family-sustaining wages. At the same time, employers want to fill millions of new jobs over the next decade, many of which require a credential beyond a high school diploma.

Jobs for the Future (JFF) is a leader in policy reforms that expand career pathways that work, including dual enrollment, career and technical education, competency-based education, and a broad array of options for financing career-driven education.

Recommendations to improve career-driven education

Champion career-driven education

Prioritize future-focused learning, including dual enrollment for every high school student, federal support for innovative state strategies to increase young people’s career readiness, and recruitment and retention of industry professionals to teach career and technical education.

Support affordable and accessible pathways to quality non-degree credentials

By 2031, 72% OF U.S. JOBS. will require some form of postsecondary education or training—an annual average of

3.9M PEOPLE who will earn an undergraduate degree in 2031, highlighting the need for a broader array of postsecondary education options. Source: Morning Consult survey

3.9M PEOPLE who will earn an undergraduate degree in 2031, highlighting the need for a broader array of postsecondary education options. Source:

Pass legislation to expand the Pell Grant program to cover quality shorter-term credential programs.

Support affordable and accessible pathways to quality non-degree credentials

Pass legislation to expand the Pell Grant program to cover quality shorter-term credential programs.

Promote innovation in market-based education financing solutions

Pass legislation to clarify and strengthen the tax and regulatory treatment governing income share agreements and outcomesbased loans offered by the private sector.

Pass legislation to clarify and strengthen the tax and regulatory treatment governing income share agreements and outcomesbased loans offered by the private sector. By

Pass legislation to clarify and strengthen the tax and regulatory treatment governing income share agreements and outcomesbased loans offered by the private sector. By 2031,

Pass legislation to clarify and strengthen the tax and regulatory treatment governing income share agreements and outcomesbased loans offered by the private sector.

Modernize postsecondary systems

Support postsecondary systems to embrace skills-first, competency-based education, prior learning assessments, and other innovative models.

Modernize postsecondary systems

Support postsecondary systems to embrace skills-first, competency-based education, prior learning assessments, and other innovative models.

72% OF U.S. JOBS. will require some form of postsecondary education or training—an annual average of

12.5M

OF U.S. JOBS. will require some form of postsecondary education or training—an annual average of

12.5M JOB OPENINGS

JOB OPENINGS

12.5M JOB OPENINGS

That’s far larger than the projected

3.9M PEOPLE who will earn an undergraduate degree in 2031, highlighting the need for a broader array of postsecondary education options.

Sources: After

Our education experts partner with employers, educators, workers, and government leaders to connect more young adults to in-demand careers through clear pathways to high-skill, high-wage industries.

Texas

Examples of our successes in states:

Examples of our successes in states: Texas

With JFF’s support, the state’s education agency has funded and guided multiple regional, cross-sector teams to design and implement high-quality career and education pathways.

We work with colleges, districts, and business and industry partners to design and scale career pathways in more than

150 COMMUNITIES

32 STATES

that serve more than half of all U.S. high school students and two-thirds of community college students.

We work with colleges, districts, and business and industry partners to design and scale career pathways in more than across that serve more than half of all U.S. high school students and two-thirds of community college students.

We work with colleges, districts, and business and industry partners to design and scale career pathways in more than across that more than half of all U.S. high school students and two-thirds of community college students.

Ohio

With guidance from JFF, Dayton business leaders and educators mapped new career pathways to six high-demand fields in the local labor market, including computer science, aerospace and aviation, and business and management.

Colorado

JFF advised a Colorado task force on developing reforms that led to the state enacting several pieces of legislation to make it easier for high schoolers to get work-based learning, college credit, and postsecondary credentials that lead to good jobs.

Learn more

JFF’s Federal Policy Blueprint for the Trump Administration Recommendations for the Incoming President’s First 100 Days and Beyond

Six Critical Actions for a New Congress in a New Year Policy Recommendations to Invest in Our Workforce and Economy

The typical employer sees a in apprenticeship through increased productivity, reduced costs, and frontline innovation.

44%

RETURN ON INVESTMENT

44% RETURN ON INVESTMENT

The typical employer sees a in apprenticeship through increased productivity, reduced costs, and frontline innovation.

Source: Abt Associates for U.S. Department of Labor, 2022.

Expanding Apprenticeship

Apprenticeship is a proven way to strengthen the nation’s workforce and help people get good jobs. But for employers, offering apprenticeship can be complex and time-consuming.

At Jobs for the Future (JFF), we help employers cut through the red tape and expand high-quality apprenticeship programs, addressing regional skill gaps and advancing economic opportunity for learners and workers.

Recommendations to advance and scale apprenticeship

Modernize the system

Streamline the registration process, promote competency-based models that prioritize skills mastery over seat time, and make apprenticeships accessible in a wider range of occupations and industries.

Prioritize investment

Expand high-quality, in-demand apprenticeship by designating funds, including resources for data collection, so more information is available on the programs that lead to strong economic outcomes. Source:

Streamline the registration process, promote competency-based models that prioritize skills mastery over seat time, and make apprenticeships accessible in a wider range of occupations and industries.

Expand high-quality, in-demand apprenticeship by designating funds, including resources for data collection, so more information is available on the programs that lead to strong economic outcomes.

Expand employer engagement

Remove barriers and offer financial incentives to increase employer participation, including offering tax credits to incentivize employers to retain apprentices through completion and create youth-focused apprenticeship programs.

Integrate apprenticeship into education

Make apprenticeship accessible to every young person who wants to participate by expanding youth and pre-apprenticeship programs.

Empower intermediaries

Empower

intermediaries

Support a broader set of intermediary organizations, including public, private, and nonprofit organizations, which play a vital role in scaling apprenticeships.

84% OF REGISTERED VOTERS surveyed favor policy action to expand apprenticeship, so more people can earn a living while they learn the skills that lead to good jobs.

Source: Morning Consult survey for JFF, September 2024.

We work with employers, government agencies, and other key intermediaries to modernize apprenticeship and expand it across more industries.

Examples

Examples of our successes in states:

of our successes in states:

South Carolina

Thanks to its partnership with JFF, the Charleston Regional Youth Apprenticeships program at Trident Technical College has expanded and now offers 18 career pathways, including welding, cybersecurity, and culinary arts, across 9 industries with more than 180 employer partners.

Across the country, we’ve served supported and created 12,000 APPRENTICES, 3,100 EMPLOYERS, 155 REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS.

Maine

JFF’s collaboration with Educate Maine has enrolled more than 80 young adults in apprenticeship programs, created 8 new Registered Apprenticeship programs and 8 new pre-apprenticeship programs, and expanded 5 existing programs.

Washington State

With JFF’s support, the Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County has strengthened pathways from pre-apprenticeship to Registered Apprenticeship in aerospace, health care, and manufacturing.

Learn more

JFF’s Federal Policy Blueprint for the Trump Administration Recommendations for the Incoming President’s First 100 Days and Beyond

Six Critical Actions for a New Congress in a New Year Policy Recommendations to Invest in Our Workforce and Economy

The U.S. labor market faces significant worker shortages, with just for 7.7M open jobs.

UNEMPLOYED JOBSEEKERS

The U.S. labor market faces significant worker shortages, with just for 7.7M open jobs.

Source: America Works Data Center, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, March 2025.

Workforce Innovation & Transformation

While many employers can’t find the skilled workers they need, many Americans don’t have the support they need to reenter the labor market and advance economically.

At Jobs for the Future (JFF), we aim to strengthen our nation’s workforce, expand economic opportunity, and help more workers get the jobs and skills they need by transforming our country’s workforce development system.

Recommendations to modernize workforce development

Reauthorize and fund the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)

Congress is already working to reauthorize WIOA through the A Stronger Workforce for America (ASWA) Act. This bill emphasizes employer-led training, program outcomes, youth populations, and people returning to their community after incarceration. Congress should pass this bill with the necessary investment to ensure its effective implementation.

Enhance career navigation services

Many workers struggle to access necessary career and training opportunities and/or advance once in them. Congress and the administration should address these gaps by modernizing career guidance tools, integrating real-time labor market insights, and improving access to workforce navigation systems.

Advance skills-first hiring

Outdated degree requirements in both federal hiring and private-sector hiring limit opportunities for skilled workers. The administration should build on its recent executive order that expanded skills-first hiring across federal agencies, including the addition of federal contractors and support for skills-first hiring in the private sector.

Ensure training is industry driven

Ensure training

is industry driven

Congress should pass the Strengthening Employment Clusters to Organize Regional Success (SECTORS) Act and support funding for competitive grants to expand sector partnerships nationwide.

Expand high-quality skill development for future jobs

To maximize the impact of federally funded programs, the administration should issue an executive order to improve interagency coordination, outcomes-based research, and improved data collection and analysis. 7M

Ensure training is industry driven

85%

OF REGISTERED VOTERS

surveyed said they favor policy action to improve economic opportunities for workers and their families.

Source: Morning Consult survey for JFF, September 2024.

We partner with employers, workers, community-based organizations, and the public workforce system to expand America’s skilled workforce, strengthen regional economies, and scale innovation and best practices.

Examples

of our successes in states:

Examples of our successes in states:

Connecticut

Through JFF’s work with the Connecticut Workforce Data Initiative, we helped create a data dictionary to standardize terminology and improve data sharing, while using AI to understand program outcomes and enhance service delivery across the state.

We work in and across 30 STATES

We work in and across 30 STATES 50 REGIONS to support innovative workforce and economic development initiatives.

REGIONS to support innovative workforce and economic development initiatives.

Alabama

JFF’s partnership with West AlabamaWorks helped the state’s workforce board use asset-based community research to identify service gaps that have historically caused workforce development program participants to leave programs early.

Hampton Roads, VA

By collaborating with the Hampton Roads Workforce Development Board, JFF helped the region develop key public-private partnerships in the maritime and health care sectors.

Learn more

JFF’s Federal Policy Blueprint for the Trump Administration Recommendations for the Incoming President’s First 100 Days and Beyond

Six Critical Actions for a New Congress in a New Year Policy Recommendations to Invest in Our Workforce and Economy

Jobs for the Future: No Dead Ends

Writing, Creative Direction, and Strategy by Anna Waters

Primary Audiences:

• Workers and learners in the United States, including students, apprentices, trainees, and jobseekers

• K-12 and postsecondary education practitioners

• Workforce development practitioners

• State and federal policymakers and government agencies

• Employers, funders, donors, media, community partners, advocates, intermediaries, and aligned peer organizations

Contents:

• Campaign Website: Homepage + Pledge

• One-Pagers: Overview + Voter Polling + Fact Sheets

• Social Media: LinkedIn Series + Impact Recaps >>

Launched a new monthly LinkedIn article series, “Two Policies Both Parties Can Agree On,” to cut through the noise of a heated election year with accessible, bipartisan breakdowns of promising policies aligned to the priorities of our No Dead Ends campaign.

By adapting plain language and connecting each installment to a timely or relevant topic on LinkedIn, such as Labor Day in September, I introduced new audiences to the core tenets of the No Dead Ends campaign and how those tenets can be applied to real policies, laying the groundwork for how I would later use the same format on LinkedIn to recap the year in impact stories.

• Emails: Memo + Webinar + Newsletter + Action Alert

• Branding: Toolkit + Social Graphics + Visual Identity

Two Policies Both Parties Can Agree On: The Portable Benefits for Independent Workers Pilot Program Act and the Upskilling & Retraining Assistance Act

Jobs for the Future (JFF)

Building a Future That Works. Published Aug 28, 2024 + Follow

This #LaborDay marks the 130th anniversary of the federal holiday honoring the many contributions workers make to America’s economic strength, prosperity, and well-being. At Jobs for the Future, we believe everyone deserves a job that improves their quality of life— a job that provides good benefits, pays family-sustaining wages, and gives workers flexibility, autonomy, stability, and advancement opportunities. Yet, federal labor policy has failed to keep pace with today’s workers or the rapidly changing landscape of the labor market, leaving millions of people struggling to make ends meet and to get ahead in this economy.

Voters across political divides are making clear they want elected officials to prioritize employment and economic issues this campaign season. According to a recent survey commissioned by JFF, more than 75% of registered Democrats, Republicans, and Independents agree that people working full-time jobs should be able to earn enough to support their families. Voters also want increased funding for job training and child care, among other kinds of work support. However, only 40% say they are very or somewhat satisfied with the attention candidates are giving to these kitchen-table issues.

market, leaving millions of people struggling to make ends meet and to get ahead in this economy.

Leading the national conversation on skills-first approaches to education and employment

Through JFF’s national policy campaign, called No Dead Ends, we urge policymakers from both sides of the political aisle to pass stalled bipartisan legislative proposals that would eliminate the dead ends that so many people in this country face at work. This election season, we call on elected officials and candidates to commit to the following bipartisan policy solutions and help people get ahead during times of economic uncertainty and personal adversity:

1) Pass the Portable Benefits for Independent Workers Pilot Program Act.

Another priority of No Dead Ends is recognizing everyone’s skills, knowledge, and expertise, regardless of when or where their learning and development experiences occur. That means emphasizing approaches that promote things like skills-based hiring, the use of digital learning and employment records, competency-based education, and credit for prior learning.

Voters we polled told us they agree: 84% said they support skills-based hiring, while 79% said they support policies that expand awarding credit for prior learning. Yet, despite political support for skills-based hiring, the nation’s education and workforce policies and systems are mostly stuck in the past—overemphasizing degrees and seat-time-based programs.

Through congressional action over the past century, the U.S. established the 40-hour work week, a minimum wage and a minimum working age, workplace safety and employment protections, and unemployment insurance. Yet, with the rise of the gig economy, growing ranks are working as independent contractors, as contingent workers, and in part-time and temporary roles that are not guaranteed these protections and workrelated benefits or that make access too difficult and expensive.

In 2024, JFF pushed discussions of policies to promote skills-first models in education, workforce, and employment systems by:

Holding a federal policy summit, in partnership with the Skills First Coalition , bringing together congressional staff, state policy officials, corporate leaders, and education and workforce practitioners to explore federal policy levers for validating and catalyzing nondegree-based indicators of individuals’ skills.

Advising governors’ offices and state agency officials on effective skills-based hiring approaches during the National Governors Association 's Skills in the States summit.

Read JFF’s skills-first policy playbook.

The Portable Benefits for Independent Workers Pilot Program Act would begin to address this challenge by enabling gig workers to access work-related benefits and carry them from job to job. Under the legislative proposal, the U.S. Department of Labor would award $20 million in competitive grants to encourage states, localities, and nonprofit organizations to test and evaluate the effectiveness of models for deploying portable benefits, such as retirement savings, workers' compensation, life or disability insurance, sick leave, training and educational benefits, and health care. Senators Mark Warner (DVA) and Todd Young (R-IN) reintroduced this legislative proposal during the spring of 2023 as S. 1696, and a similar bill, H.R. 3482, is sponsored in the House by Representative Suzan DelBene (D-WA).

2) Pass the Upskilling and Retraining Assistance Act.

In today’s dynamic economy, workers need to upgrade their skills more often than ever before, as the “half-life” of skills has shrunk since the 1980s from at least 10 years to only about 4 years now. Employers have a critical role to play in investing in the skills development of their workers. While roughly half of all workers receive training from their employers, a recent MIT study found that employer-provided training is more likely to benefit workers who are already highly educated than employees with lower levels of educational attainment.

(D-WA).

2) Pass the Upskilling and Retraining Assistance Act.

Workers bolt from government jobs; private-sector pay…

2023 in Review – Key Legislative Updates

The Upskilling and Retraining Assistance Act aims to incentivize more training through employers. The measure, introduced last year by Senators Todd Young (R-IN) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) as , would increase the amount of tax-free educational assistance that employees can receive from their employers. A companion bill, HR. 6401, was introduced by Representative Danny Davis (D-IL) and co-sponsored by Representative Randy Feenstra (R-IA).

The existing tax benefit, unchanged since 1986, only allows employers to cover up to $5,250 in educational programs before workers are required to pay taxes on these benefits. Recognizing this current limit is far below the cost of most higher education programs, the bill would authorize a two-year temporary expansion of the benefit to $12,000. It would also expand the tax exclusion to include the cost of education-related tools and technology, including hand tools, computers and software, internet access, licensure fees, and other items deemed necessary to complete the educational programs.

Government Delivers Landmark Reforms to Boost Economy…

The Payroll Centre 4 months ago

No Dead Ends is JFF's national policy campaign to eliminate dead ends

Join us in advocating for #NoDeadEnds.

Broadening access to work-related benefits and incentivizing skills development are two key bipartisan approaches for improving the quality of jobs in the United States. At JFF, we’ve made it our North Star to get 75 million people facing systemic barriers to advancement into quality jobs by 2033. Our Quality Jobs Framework not only defines what makes for a #qualityjob, but also lays out the steps that employers, community partners, and policymakers can take to strengthen workplace conditions and economic opportunities.

This election season, JFF is calling for both parties to act on the employment and economic issues that voters really care about. Our campaign, #NoDeadEnds, includes a four-part plan to fix our outdated education and workforce systems.

Read our No Dead Ends policy road map to learn more about our policy recommendations.

Curious about job quality?

Take this quick, one-question poll for workers or this one for employers. Weigh in now before the polls close on Labor Day!

Want more on No Dead Ends?

Sign the No Dead Ends pledge or subscribe for updates.

Read news coverage about our June 2024 survey of registered voters.

#jobquality #workforce #wkdev #workforcepolicy #laborpolicy #federalpolicy #gigworkers #gigeconomy #upskilling #skills

18 2 Comments Like Comment Share

strategy to municipality communications, engagement and executive support. By managing oper 11mo

I've never heard the term "half life skills" and this article is definitely resonating with my experience as I change careers. I'll be supporting the legislation programs you've shared in your article here and wanted to share this recent Forbes story on half-life skills that I found following the reading of your post.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/joemckendrick/2024/04/30/ai-puts-the-squeeze-on-the-shrinkinghalf-life-of-skills/

Cyndi Farrell Bridging high-level

Jobs for the Future (JFF)’s Post

Jobs for the Future (JFF)

73,156 followers 11mo

As we look ahead to #LaborDay and back on its 130-year history, it's clear today's work and learn systems are stuck in the past. Every day, we at JFF celebrate workers, but there should be #NoDeadEnds on the path to a #qualityjob.

In the modern #gigeconomy, contract workers are often left without work-related benefits, but the Portable Benefits for Independent Workers Pilot Program Act would allow gig workers to access and keep their benefits from job to job.

Employers also have a vital role to play in their workers’ skill development. The Upskilling and Retraining Assistance Act would increase the tax-free educational assistance employees can receive from employers.

This month, we break down these two promising bipartisan federal policies that stand to help the workers of today and tomorrow. Read the article ⇩ for our take on the Portable Benefits for Independent Workers Pilot Program Act and the Upskilling & Retraining Assistance Act, and learn how these policies could help eliminate the dead ends millions of people face every day at work, at school, and in their lives.

#laborpolicy #wkdev #jobquality #gigworkers

Two Policies Both Parties Can Agree On: The Portable Benefits for Independent Workers Pilot Program Act and the Upskilling & Retraining Assistance Act Jobs for the Future (JFF) on LinkedIn

JFF’s Top Policy Wins in 2024

Jobs for the Future (JFF)

Building a Future That Works.

Published Dec 19, 2024 + Follow

This election season, JFF launched its first-ever advocacy campaign, No Dead Ends, to draw attention to the kitchen table issues that voters across political divides care about, to elevate common-sense policy ideas that both parties support, and to make education and workforce systems more responsive to the needs of the modern economy.

As 2024 comes to a close, we are excited to share our top policy wins across the key priority areas of our No Dead Ends campaign.

Providing practitioner insights to Congress to inform the proposed WIOA reauthorization

A major policy priority of No Dead Ends is empowering people with data, guidance, and resources that enable them to navigate their work and learning journeys. That means providing learners and workers with timely labor market information, career guidance, and flexible resources to support their skills development efforts and inform their career decisions.

Providing practitioner insights to Congress to inform the proposed WIOA reauthorization

Strong majorities of registered voters surveyed by JFF in September told us they agree: 84% of voters polled by JFF said they support policy action to improve career guidance, while 70% or more said they support increasing funding for job training and short-term credential programs with value in the labor market.

The country needs a strong national infrastructure to prepare people for and connect them to good jobs. That’s why at JFF we are encouraged that Congress is pursuing reauthorization of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). In 2024, JFF played an active role in shaping key provisions of the bipartisan bill, including proposals for stronger workforce data and improvements to the Eligible Training Provider List, as well as an increased focus on employer-led training efforts in high-demand sectors.

Highlights of our engagement include:

Testifying before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Issuing a federal policy playbook for overhauling the workforce development system, as well as a series of issue briefs focused on transforming training and improving data access and alignment, based on the recommendations of a JFF task force of workforce leaders.

Hosting congressional staff trips to Texas and North Carolina, where participants gained firsthand insights on local workforce development board efforts to expand opportunities for workers and jobseekers.

Co-leading the development of a coalition letter to federal policymakers urging them to take action to strengthen the workforce data ecosystem.

Read our analysis of the proposed WIOA reauthorization bill, the “A Stronger Workforce for America” Act.

Leading the national conversation on skills-first approaches to education and employment

In 2024, JFF pushed discussions of policies to promote skills-first models in education, workforce, and employment systems by:

Advising governors’ offices and state agency officials on effective skills-based hiring approaches during the National Governors Association 's Skills in the States summit.

Read JFF’s skills-first policy playbook.

Joining forces with federal and state leaders to champion career-connected learning for youth and young adults

No Dead Ends also prioritizes erasing the boundaries between learning and work to foster common purpose among educators and employers. This means smoothing the transitions from high school to postsecondary credential programs and the world of work through intentional forms of dual enrollment and high-quality work-based learning experiences.

Voters JFF polled indicated that they’re in favor of policies that promote careerconnected learning: 84% said they support policy action to expand apprenticeship programs, while 81% said K-12 and higher education curricula should prepare students for high-wage jobs in growing industries that require advanced skills.

In 2024, JFF partnered with federal and state policymakers to promote policies that advance our “Big Blur” vision—which calls for greater integration between high school, college, and careers. Those efforts included:

Promoting Colorado’s impressive policy efforts at the Education Policy Forum of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). JFF moderated a panel discussion with officials from the Colorado Department of Education and the Colorado Governor’s Office about major policy wins stemming from recommendations made by a state task force, dubbed the Big Blur task force, which JFF advised.

Partnering with the Biden administration to organize the Classroom to Career Summit to celebrate effective approaches for expanding career pathways to good-paying jobs in the infrastructure, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing sectors. The summit featured a cabinet member panel discussion and was attended by senior administration officials and nearly 200 education and workforce leaders.

Holding federal policy forums for congressional staff and executive branch officials to examine states that are effectively expanding “intentional” dual enrollment policies and explore federal policy enablers and blockers. The forums were inspired by a JFF policy brief titled From Fragmented to Focused: Intentional Dual Enrollment and the Federal Role in Maximizing Student Experiences. Co-developed with Advance CTE and the College in High School Alliance, the brief focused on the need for improving federal policies that support high-quality dual enrollment.

Dig into JFF’s state policy resources for building momentum toward the Big Blur, including a suite of issue briefs, state case studies, and a state policy framework.

Sharing new research and innovations for removing policy barriers to economic opportunities

The fourth policy priority of No Dead Ends is helping people get ahead during times of economic uncertainty and personal adversity. That means removing structural barriers through policies that promote fair-chance hiring and educational opportunities for people with criminal records, outcomes-based financing measures for postsecondary education and training that encourage risk-sharing and cost-sharing, and reforms of public benefits programs that support caregivers and foster economic advancement.

Strong majorities of the voters JFF polled indicated that they support action on a range of economic security measures: 77% said they support increased tax credits for parents and employers to make child care more affordable and widely accessible; 68% said they support “banning the box”—or eliminating questions about criminal records on job and school applications—and automatically expunging old, low-level offenses from people’s records; and 60% said they support income-based repayment of student loans.

In 2024, JFF engaged policymakers to expand their understanding of the lived experiences of learners and workers and of the effectiveness of innovative approaches to improving access to postsecondary education and skills training by:

Conducting groundbreaking research on how strong, income-based features in education financing can prevent student loan debt from exacerbating racial disparities and sharing our findings and policy recommendations during meetings and briefings with House and Senate offices and with state legislators on the NCSL’s “Our American States” podcast.

Informing state actions on prison education by contributing to the development of North Carolina’s Reentry 2030 Strategic Plan and by hosting Maine state legislators on visits to state correctional facilities to meet people who earned college degrees while incarcerated.

Presenting research and recommendations for policies that will help build a workforce that’s prepared for a future of work shaped by artificial intelligence during several meetings with state legislators, including at the Eastern Regional Conference of The Council of State Governments .

Learn more about JFF's #NoDeadEnds policy priorities.

Stay Connected

Sign the No Dead Ends pledge to join us and at least 90 other individuals and organizations who have already joined the movement.

Subscribe for updates on policy and advocacy from JFF.

Read JFF's federal policy blueprint for the incoming Trump administration's first 100 days.

Share #NoDeadEnds on LinkedIn.

Contact the JFF Policy & Advocacy team.

#policy #federalpolicy #educationpolicy #workforcepolicy #workforce #workforcedevelopment #wkdev #education #HigherEd #K12 #dualenrollment #BigBlur #skillsfirst #innovativefinance #studentloans #studentdebt #WIOA #ETPL #training #data

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No Dead Ends is JFF's national policy campaign to eliminate dead ends for all learners and workers.

Jobs for the Future: No Dead Ends

Writing, Creative Direction, and Strategy by Anna

Waters

Primary Audiences:

• Workers and learners in the United States, including students, apprentices, trainees, and jobseekers

• K-12 and postsecondary education practitioners

• Workforce development practitioners

• State and federal policymakers and government agencies

• Employers, funders, donors, media, community partners, advocates, intermediaries, and aligned peer organizations

Contents:

• Campaign Website: Homepage + Pledge

• One-Pagers: Overview + Voter Polling + Fact Sheets

• Social Media: LinkedIn Series + Impact Recap

• Emails: Memo + Webinar + Newsletter + Action Alert >>

— Developed and led the campaign’s digital strategy to move audiences from awareness to action, including via newsletters, marketing emails, and action alerts. Wrote, designed, deployed, and tracked emails using HubSpot while managing contact lists.

— This phase of the campaign culminated in the release of JFF’s federal policy blueprint for the incoming administration, which quickly became the most-downloaded publication published by JFF in 2024 on jff.org. Without any paid advertising or marketing, the blueprint was still downloaded 1,434 times in just 8 weeks from the day it went live on Nov. 8, 2024.

• Branding: Toolkit + Social Graphics + Visual Identity

Dear Friend,

One thing is clear after this election: Millions of voters want change because the economy is not working for them. At Jobs for the Future (JFF), we believe that the country can move from division to unity. But as a nation, we have work to do, and that means going beyond the status quo to enact policies that transform our education and workforce systems and help more people gain access to good jobs.

I’m proud to share with you JFF’s federal education and workforce policy recommendations for President-Elect Donald Trump, Vice President-Elect JD Vance, and their transition team. The memo offers a unifying, practical, bipartisan plan for fixing the outdated education and workforce development systems that are leading to dead ends at school, at work, and in life for millions of people in this country. Our policy blueprint focuses on concrete steps that the Trump Administration can take in their first 100 days in office to create more opportunities for workers and learners.

The memo is organized into four major sections, with policy recommendations covering the following key topics:

1. Prepare every young person for success by expanding access to high-quality work-based learning experiences and “intentional” dual enrollment and by providing targeted supports to young adults who are disconnected from school and work.

2. Invest in skills as the new currency for career advancement by transforming the workforce development ecosystem so that it’s workercentric and industry-driven; improving access to high-quality skills training and apprenticeship opportunities; strengthening career navigation supports; and prioritizing skills-first and fair-chance hiring practices.

3. Adapt postsecondary education to the needs of today’s learners and workers by encouraging the development of more affordable and accelerated alternatives to traditional higher education, including competency-based approaches and stackable credentials; enhancing program quality; and promoting the development of innovative financing models that make education more affordable and accountable to labor market demands.

4. Realize the potential of untapped talent by encouraging entrepreneurship, supporting caregivers, enhancing re-employment and training assistance, and strengthening pathways to good jobs for people with records.

As we move into the months ahead, we look forward to working with the Trump Administration to put these priorities into action. Join us in advocating for these policies by signing the pledge to join JFF’s national policy campaign, No Dead Ends. Read the memo

Read the memo

By uniting around our shared values and fighting for the policy issues that matter most to learners and workers, we can build a future where everyone

Sincerely,

Maria Flynn, President and CEO, Jobs for the

Future LinkedIn | Twitter

NoDeadEnds

Policy&Advocacy

With Election Day fast approaching, learn what political insiders are saying about key education and workforce issues and find out what policies with bipartisan appeal they expect to see action in 2025—whether Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Donald Trump wins the presidency on November 5.

DeadEnds

With Election Day fast approaching, learn what political about key education and workforce issues and find out bipartisan appeal they expect to see action in 2025—whether Kamala Harris or former President Donald Trump wins the November 5.

Watch the recording of Jobs for the Future’s September 30 policy webinar, “The Outlook for Workforce and Education Policy.” Moderated by journalist Paul Fain, the webinar features a panel discussion in which JFF CEO Maria Flynn exchanges insights and observations with four policy advisors from previous Democratic and Republican administrations: Michael Brickman, Denise Forte, Seth Harris, and John Pallasch

Watch the recording of Jobs for the Future’s September Outlook for Workforce and Education Policy.” Moderated the webinar features a panel discussion in which JFF CEO Flynn exchanges insights and observations with four policy previous Democratic and Republican administrations: Michael Forte, Seth Harris, and John Pallasch

Karishma Merchant, who leads JFF’s Policy & Advocacy team, kicks off the conversation with a presentation on JFF’s recent voter poll, which found that strong majorities of Democrats, Republicans, and independents want action on key policies endorsed by JFF.

Karishma Merchant, who leads JFF’s Policy & Advocacy conversation with a presentation on JFF’s recent voter poll, strong majorities of Democrats, Republicans, and independents key policies endorsed by JFF.

Why watch?

Get the inside scoop: Hear experts who have shaped education and workforce policy from the inside discuss the issues that matter most to voters, candidates, and policymakers.

Jobsfor theFuture

See bipartisan progress: Discover where both sides agree on issues like skills-first hiring, expanding Pell Grants, and preparing U.S. learners and workers for the future of work.

Set your advocacy priorities: Learn why it’s urgent for the next president to take swift action to meet critical workforce, education, and training needs and help learners and workers navigate their career options.

With less than a week left until Election Day, the stakes are high. This is your chance to hear directly from those who've shaped policy from the inside.

NoDeadEnds

Watch on YouTube

Don’t miss JFF’s upcoming federal transition memo, which offers a policy blueprint for the incoming presidential administration. Subscribe for updates on our national policy campaign, No Dead Ends, and sign the pledge to join the movement.

One thing is clear after the election: Millions of voters want change because the economy is not working for them. At Jobs for the Future (JFF), we believe that the country can move from division to unity. But as a nation, we have work to do, and that means going beyond the status quo to enact policies that transform our education and workforce systems and help more people gain access to good jobs.

At this consequential time, I am proud to lead JFF’s team of talented and passionate policy experts as we challenge federal and state leaders to imagine new policy environments where there are no dead ends at school, at work, or in life. This year, we’re driving impact by advancing bold and field-tested policy solutions through the insights we provide to federal and state policymakers on both sides of the aisle, and through our No Dead Ends campaign, which is elevating the kitchen table concerns of the electorate and mobilizing the field toward action.

As 2024 comes to a close, I’m excited to share highlights of JFF’s work during the election season, including our policy memo to the incoming Trump administration, a celebration of our longstanding Congressional Staff Network, and our top policy wins across the four priority areas of our No Dead Ends campaign.

Onward,

Karishma Merchant, Associate Vice President and Head of Policy & Advocacy, Jobs for the Future

JFF Calls for a New Focus on Politics and Policy

This Election Year

On Super Tuesday, JFF launched its first-ever advocacy campaign, No Dead Ends, to draw attention to the issues that voters across political divides care about, to elevate common-sense policy ideas that both parties support, and to make education and workforce systems more responsive to the needs of the modern economy.

This year, we:

Introduced a policy road map for No Dead Ends

Surveyed registered voters in June and September

Hosted bipartisan events where policymakers discussed top election-year priorities in July and September

Championed action on bipartisan bills

Mobilized at least 90 individuals and organizations to sign our No Dead Ends pledge

Issued a policy blueprint for the first 100 days of the Trump administration

We’re now turning our attention to 2025—to the new Congress, to the incoming administration, and to statehouses around the nation—for opportunities to advance our No Dead Ends policy agenda.

Sign the pledge

In February, JFF took Congressional staff to Austin, Texas, to visit NXP Semiconductors, American YouthWorks, and Austin Community College.

JFF pushed discussions of policies to promote skills-first models in education, workforce, and employment systems, including at a September federal policy summit with the Skills First Coalition.

Leading the national conversation on skills-first approaches to education and employment

craft policies and programs that will help move the country toward the major goals of our No Dead Ends campaign.

In February, JFF took Congressional staff to Austin, Texas, to visit NXP Semiconductors, American YouthWorks, and Austin Community College.

Congressional Staff Network: Promoting Bipartisan Action for 16 Years

In our newest LinkedIn article advocacy work this year. Here are a few:

Congressional Staff Network: Promoting Bipartisan Action for 16 Years

Providing practitioner insights to Congress to inform the proposed WIOA reauthorization

Since JFF Senior Advisor Mary Clagett formed the Congressional Staff Network (CSN) in 2008, we have welcomed senior congressional staffers to more than 40 CSN policy forums and led CSN members on more than 20 visits to sites across the country where they can see effective education and workforce programs in action. The bipartisan, bicameral network has played an influential role in policy discussions and in building camaraderie and common purpose among staff from both parties in the House and Senate. As Clagett retires from JFF at the end of December after a remarkable career contributing guidance and expertise to consequential policymaking initiatives—both at JFF and in other roles in Washington, DC— programming and impact of the CSN.

Providing practitioner insights to Congress to inform the proposed WIOA reauthorization

We’re encouraged that Congress is pursuing reauthorization of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). JFF has played an active role in shaping key provisions of the bipartisan bill, culminating in our December analysis of the “A Stronger Workforce for America” Act.

We’re encouraged that Congress is pursuing reauthorization of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). JFF has played an active role in

2024 in Review: Four Policy Wins

Leading the national conversation on skills-first approaches to education and employment

JFF made significant progress this year working with federal and state officials to craft policies and programs that will help move the country toward the major goals of our No Dead Ends campaign.

Leading the national conversation on skills-first approaches to education and employment

JFF pushed discussions of policies to promote skills-first models in education, workforce, and employment systems, including at a September federal policy summit with the Skills First Coalition.

In our newest LinkedIn article, we detail our biggest wins from JFF's policy and advocacy work this year. Here are a few:

JFF pushed discussions of policies to promote skills-first models in education,

Providing practitioner insights to Congress to inform the proposed WIOA reauthorization

2024 in Review: Four

Policy

Providing practitioner insights to Congress to inform the proposed WIOA reauthorization

Joining forces with federal and state leaders to champion career-connected learning for youth and young adults

Providing practitioner insights to Congress to inform the proposed WIOA reauthorization

In our newest LinkedIn article , we detail our biggest wins from JFF's policy and advocacy work this year. Here are a few:

Joining forces with federal and state leaders to champion career-connected learning for youth and young adults

JFF made significant progress this year working with federal and state officials to craft policies and programs that will help move the country toward the major goals of our No Dead Ends campaign.

Wins

JFF partnered with federal and state policymakers to promote policies that smooth the transitions from high school to postsecondary credential programs and the world of work, including by partnering with the Biden administration to organize the Classroom to Career Summit.

JFF partnered with federal and state policymakers to promote policies that smooth the transitions from high school to postsecondary credential programs

discussions and in building camaraderie and common purpose among staff from both parties in the House and Senate. As Clagett retires from JFF at the end of December after a remarkable career contributing guidance and expertise to consequential policymaking initiatives—both at JFF and in other roles in Washington, DC— JFF is proud to continue her legacy in expanding the programming and impact of the CSN.

Leading the national conversation on skills-first approaches to education and employment

Sharing new research and innovations for removing policy barriers to economic opportunities

Leading the national conversation on skills-first approaches to education and employment

Sharing new research and innovations for removing policy barriers to economic opportunities

JFF pushed discussions of policies to promote skills-first models in education, workforce, and employment systems, including at a September federal policy summit with the Skills First Coalition.

JFF engaged policymakers to expand their understanding of the lived

JFF engaged policymakers to expand their understanding of the lived experiences of learners and workers and of the effectiveness of innovative approaches to improving access to postsecondary education and skills training using our own groundbreaking research on racial disparities and student loan debt.

Read the article

Karishma

Senior Policy Experts:

Head of Policy & Advocacy at JFF:

Senior Policy Experts:

Karishma Merchant, Associate Vice President

Senior Policy Experts:

Karishma Merchant, Associate Vice President

Ethan Pollack, Senior Director, Financing the Future

Senior Policy Experts:

Read the article

Senior Policy Experts:

Karishma Merchant, Associate Vice President

Senior Policy Experts:

Ethan Pollack, Senior Director, Financing the Future

Specializes in outcomes-based financing and artificial intelligence policies

Ethan Pollack, Senior Director, Financing the Future

David Altstadt, Director, Policy Campaigns

Joining forces with federal and state leaders to champion career-connected learning for youth and young adults

Specializes in outcomes-based financing and artificial intelligence policies

Ethan Pollack, Senior Director, Financing the

Meet the Team

Specializes in outcomes-based financing and artificial intelligence policies

Ethan Pollack, Senior Director, Financing the Future

Specializes in outcomes-based financing and artificial intelligence policies

Ethan Pollack, Senior Director, Financing the Future

David Altstadt, Director, Policy Campaigns

Ethan Pollack, Senior Director, Financing the Future

Joining forces with federal and state leaders to champion career-connected learning for youth and young adults

David Altstadt, Director, Policy Campaigns

Specializes in outcomes-based financing and artificial intelligence policies

Read the article

Specializes in outcomes-based financing and artificial intelligence policies

Leads the No Dead Ends campaign and specializes in state education and workforce policies

Head of Policy & Advocacy at JFF:

Ethan Pollack, Senior Director, Financing the Future

David Altstadt, Director, Policy Campaigns

Specializes in outcomes-based financing and artificial intelligence policies

David Altstadt, Director, Policy Campaigns

Leads the No Dead Ends campaign and specializes in state education and workforce policies

Noah Bein, Director, Justice and Mobility

Leads the No Dead Ends campaign and specializes in state education and workforce policies

Specializes in outcomes-based financing and artificial intelligence policies

Karishma Merchant, Associate Vice President

Noah Bein, Director, Justice and Mobility

Meet the Team

David Altstadt, Director, Policy Campaigns

Noah Bein, Director, Justice and Mobility

Leads the No Dead Ends campaign and specializes in state education and workforce policies

Specializes in criminal justice, reentry, fair chance employment, and prison education policies

Leads the No Dead Ends campaign and specializes in state education and workforce policies

Senior Policy Experts:

Specializes in outcomes-based financing and David Altstadt, Director, Policy Campaigns Leads the No Dead Ends campaign and specializes workforce policies

Leads the No Dead Ends campaign and specializes in state education and workforce policies

Head of Policy & Advocacy at JFF:

Noah Bein, Director, Justice and Mobility

Erica Cuevas, Director, Education Policy

Leads the No Dead Ends campaign and specializes in state education and workforce policies

Specializes in criminal justice, reentry, fair chance employment, and prison education policies

Noah Bein, Director, Justice and Mobility

Ethan Pollack, Senior Director, Financing the Future

Specializes in criminal justice, reentry, fair chance employment, and prison education policies

Karishma Merchant, Associate Vice President

Noah Bein, Director, Justice and Mobility

Specializes in outcomes-based financing and artificial intelligence policies

Noah Bein, Director, Justice and Mobility

Erica Cuevas, Director, Education Policy

Specializes in criminal justice, reentry, fair chance employment, and prison education policies

Senior Policy Experts:

Erica Cuevas, Director, Education Policy

David Altstadt, Director, Policy Campaigns

Specializes in criminal justice, reentry, fair chance employment, and prison education policies

Specializes in secondary and postsecondary education, career navigation, pathways, youth and young adult policies

Specializes in criminal justice, reentry, fair chance employment, and prison education policies

Erica Cuevas, Director, Education Policy

Specializes in criminal justice, reentry, fair chance education policies

Erica Cuevas, Director, Education Policy

Ethan Pollack, Senior Director, Financing the Future

Erica Cuevas, Director, Education Policy

Specializes in secondary and postsecondary education, career navigation, pathways, youth and young adult policies

Specializes in criminal justice, reentry, fair chance employment, and prison education policies

Taylor Maag, Director, Workforce Policy

Specializes in secondary and postsecondary education, career navigation, pathways, youth and young adult policies

Leads the No Dead Ends campaign and specializes in state education and workforce policies

Specializes in secondary and postsecondary education, career navigation, pathways, youth and young adult policies

Specializes in outcomes-based financing and artificial intelligence policies

Taylor Maag, Director, Workforce Policy

Noah Bein, Director, Justice and Mobility

Erica Cuevas, Director, Education Policy

David Altstadt, Director, Policy Campaigns

Taylor Maag, Director, Workforce Policy

Specializes in secondary and postsecondary education, career navigation, pathways, youth and young adult policies

Erica Cuevas, Director, Education Policy

Specializes in workforce development, skills training, apprenticeship, adult learner and worker policies

Specializes in secondary and postsecondary education, career navigation, pathways, youth and young adult policies

Taylor Maag, Director, Workforce Policy

Leads the No Dead Ends campaign and specializes in state education and workforce policies

Taylor Maag, Director, Workforce Policy

Specializes in criminal justice, reentry, fair chance employment, and prison education policies

Specializes in secondary and postsecondary education, career navigation, pathways, youth and young adult policies

Specializes in workforce development, skills training, apprenticeship, adult learner and worker policies

Taylor Maag, Director, Workforce Policy

Policy Support Team:

Specializes in secondary and postsecondary education, pathways, youth and young adult policies

Erica Cuevas, Director, Education Policy

Noah Bein, Director, Justice and Mobility

Taylor Maag, Director, Workforce Policy

Policy Support Team:

Sharing new research and innovations for removing policy barriers to economic opportunities

Specializes in workforce development, skills training, apprenticeship, adult learner and worker policies

Meredith Hills, Senior Manager

Policy Support Team:

Specializes in secondary and postsecondary education, career navigation, pathways, youth and young adult policies

Specializes in criminal justice, reentry, fair chance employment, and prison education policies

Sharing new research and innovations for removing policy barriers to economic opportunities

Erica Cuevas, Director, Education Policy

Policy Support Team:

Taylor Maag, Director, Workforce Policy

Specializes in workforce development, skills training, apprenticeship, adult learner and worker policies

Taylor Maag, Director, Workforce Policy

Meredith Hills, Senior Manager

Shannon Lippert, Executive Assistant

Meredith Hills, Senior Manager

Policy Support Team:

Meredith Hills, Senior Manager

Specializes in workforce development, skills training, apprenticeship, adult learner and worker policies

Shannon Lippert, Executive Assistant

Policy Support Team:

Susannah Rodrigue, Senior Manager

Specializes in secondary and postsecondary education, career navigation, pathways, youth and young adult policies

Shannon Lippert, Executive Assistant

Meredith Hills, Senior Manager

Shannon Lippert, Executive Assistant

Specializes in workforce development, skills training, apprenticeship, adult learner and worker policies

Meredith Hills, Senior Manager

Susannah Rodrigue, Senior Manager

Taylor Maag, Director, Workforce Policy

Meredith Hills, Senior Manager

Susannah Rodrigue, Senior Manager

Megan Soetaert, Manager, Financing the Future

Policy Support Team:

Shannon Lippert, Executive Assistant

Susannah Rodrigue, Senior Manager

Shannon Lippert, Executive Assistant

Specializes in workforce development, skills training, learner and worker policies

Shannon Lippert, Executive Assistant

Policy Support Team:

Meredith Hills, Senior Manager

Charlene Volk, Director

Megan Soetaert, Manager, Financing the Future

Susannah Rodrigue, Senior Manager

Megan Soetaert, Manager, Financing the Future

Susannah Rodrigue, Senior Manager

Specializes in workforce development, skills training, apprenticeship, adult learner and worker policies

Charlene Volk, Director

Susannah Rodrigue, Senior Manager

Charlene Volk, Director

Meredith Hills, Senior Manager

Shannon Lippert, Executive Assistant

Anna Waters, Marketing Communications Business Partner

Policy Support Team:

Charlene Volk, Director

Megan Soetaert, Manager, Financing the Future

Meredith Hills, Senior Manager

Shannon Lippert, Executive Assistant

Susannah Rodrigue, Senior Manager

Anna Waters, Marketing Communications Business Partner

Megan Soetaert, Manager, Financing the Future

Stay Connected

Charlene Volk, Director

Anna Waters, Marketing Communications Business Partner

Charlene Volk, Director

Meredith Hills, Senior Manager

Charlene Volk, Director

Susannah Rodrigue, Senior Manager

Megan Soetaert, Manager, Financing the Future

Stay Connected

Shannon Lippert, Executive Assistant

Stay Connected

Anna Waters, Marketing Communications Business Partner

Stay Connected

Megan Soetaert, Manager, Financing the Future

Charlene Volk, Director

Shannon Lippert, Executive Assistant

Read the article

Charlene Volk, Director

Susannah Rodrigue, Senior Manager

Anna Waters, Marketing Communications Business Partner

Contact the Policy & Advocacy team at JFF.

Stay Connected

Jobs for the Future is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Visit JFF.org/donate to learn more. #32969

Anna Waters, Marketing Communications Business Partner

Susannah Rodrigue, Senior Manager

Read the article

Megan Soetaert, Manager, Financing the Future

Contact the Policy & Advocacy team at JFF.

Anna Waters, Marketing Communications Business Partner

Stay Connected

Charlene Volk, Director

Contact the Policy & Advocacy team at JFF.

Charlene Volk, Director

Stay Connected

Meet the Team

Anna Waters, Marketing Communications Business Partner

Contact the Policy & Advocacy team at JFF.

Stay Connected

Contact the Policy & Advocacy team at JFF.

Meet the Team

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Karishma Merchant, Associate Vice President

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Ethan Pollack, Senior Director, Financing the Future

Specializes in outcomes-based financing and artificial intelligence policies

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David Altstadt, Director, Policy Campaigns

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Specializes in outcomes-based financing and artificial intelligence policies

David Altstadt, Director, Policy Campaigns

Leads the No Dead Ends campaign and specializes in state education and workforce policies

Noah Bein, Director, Justice and Mobility

Specializes in criminal justice, reentry, fair chance employment, and prison education policies

Erica Cuevas, Director, Education Policy

, Director, Workforce Policy

Specializes in secondary and postsecondary education, career navigation, pathways, youth and young adult policies

Specializes in secondary and postsecondary education, career navigation, pathways, youth and young adult policies , Director, Workforce Policy

Specializes in workforce development, skills training, apprenticeship, adult learner and worker policies

Policy Support Team:

Jobs for the Future is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Visit JFF.org/donate to learn more.

Dear Friend,

In this new year, Jobs for the Future is doubling down on advocating for policy actions that will usher in a new era—one where workers and learners face no dead ends at school, in their jobs, or on their own journeys toward economic advancement. To get there from here, we need Congress to prioritize six key actions in 2025:

1. Reauthorize WIOA to shore up and modernize the nation’s infrastructure for tackling employment needs.

2. Enact a trio of skills bills to prepare people for in-demand careers and promote affordable alternatives to traditional higher education.

3. Focus on worker needs when crafting legislation to regulate artificial intelligence.

4. Invest in apprenticeships and career pathways programs to connect young people to work.

5. Clear policy barriers to good jobs for people with records of arrest, conviction, or incarceration.

6. Lay the groundwork for reimagining learning and work with no dead ends.

Read our legislative agenda to find out which issues Congress should tackle first in 2025.

Sincerely,

Maria Flynn, President & CEO, Jobs for the Future

LinkedIn | X

Meet the Team

Karishma

Karishma Merchant, Associate Vice President

Sharing new research and innovations for removing policy barriers to economic opportunities

Senior Policy Experts:

Head of Policy & Advocacy at JFF:

Karishma Merchant, Associate Vice President

Senior Policy Experts:

Urge Congress to Pass Workforce Pell

Senior Policy Experts:

Karishma Merchant, Associate Vice President

Senior Policy Experts:

Karishma Merchant, Associate Vice President

Ethan Pollack, Senior Director, Financing the Future

Senior Policy Experts:

Karishma Merchant, Associate Vice President

Read the article

Senior Policy Experts:

Ethan Pollack, Senior Director, Financing the Future

Specializes in outcomes-based financing and artificial intelligence policies

Ethan Pollack, Senior Director, Financing the Future

David Altstadt, Director, Policy Campaigns

Specializes in outcomes-based financing and artificial intelligence policies

Meet the Team

Ethan Pollack, Senior Director, Financing the Future

Specializes in outcomes-based financing and artificial intelligence policies

David Altstadt, Director, Policy Campaigns

Ethan Pollack, Senior Director, Financing the Future

David Altstadt, Director, Policy Campaigns

Read the article

Specializes in outcomes-based financing and artificial intelligence policies

Leads the No Dead Ends campaign and specializes in state education and workforce policies

One of JFF’s top legislative priorities is expanding Pell Grant eligibility to include shorter-term postsecondary education and training programs that lead to industry-recognized credentials. With the reintroduction of a bipartisan bill in the Senate, momentum is growing to make Workforce Pell a reality!

Head of Policy & Advocacy at JFF:

Specializes in outcomes-based financing and David Altstadt, Director, Policy Campaigns

David Altstadt, Director, Policy Campaigns

Specializes in outcomes-based financing and artificial intelligence policies

David Altstadt, Director, Policy Campaigns

Noah Bein, Director, Justice and Mobility

Leads the No Dead Ends campaign and specializes in state education and workforce policies

Karishma Merchant, Associate Vice President

Noah Bein, Director, Justice and Mobility

Meet the Team

Noah Bein, Director, Justice and Mobility

Leads the No Dead Ends campaign and specializes in state education and workforce policies

Senior Policy Experts:

Leads the No Dead Ends campaign and specializes in state education and workforce policies

Leads the No Dead Ends campaign and specializes workforce policies

Now is the time to band together to champion policies we all want.

Specializes in criminal justice, reentry, fair chance employment, and prison education policies

Head of Policy & Advocacy at JFF:

Noah Bein, Director, Justice and Mobility

Erica Cuevas, Director, Education Policy

Specializes in criminal justice, reentry, fair chance employment, and prison education policies

Ethan Pollack, Senior Director, Financing the Future

Specializes in criminal justice, reentry, fair chance employment, and prison education policies

Noah Bein, Director, Justice and Mobility

Karishma Merchant, Associate Vice President

Specializes in outcomes-based financing and artificial intelligence policies

Erica Cuevas, Director, Education Policy

Specializes in criminal justice, reentry, fair chance employment, and prison education policies

Senior Policy Experts:

Erica Cuevas, Director, Education Policy

David Altstadt, Director, Policy Campaigns

Specializes in criminal justice, reentry, fair chance employment, and prison education policies

Specializes in secondary and postsecondary education, career navigation, pathways, youth and young adult policies

Specializes in criminal justice, reentry, fair chance education policies

Erica Cuevas, Director, Education Policy

Ethan Pollack, Senior Director, Financing the Future

You can play a key role by urging your members of Congress to vote in favor of Workforce Pell. Stay tuned for future action alerts on other key priorities.

Erica Cuevas, Director, Education Policy

Taylor Maag, Director, Workforce Policy

Specializes in secondary and postsecondary education, career navigation, pathways, youth and young adult policies

Leads the No Dead Ends campaign and specializes in state education and workforce policies

Specializes in secondary and postsecondary education, career navigation, pathways, youth and young adult policies

Specializes in outcomes-based financing and artificial intelligence policies

Taylor Maag, Director, Workforce Policy

Noah Bein, Director, Justice and Mobility

Specializes in secondary and postsecondary education, career navigation, pathways, youth and young adult policies

Erica Cuevas, Director, Education Policy

Taylor Maag, Director, Workforce Policy

David Altstadt, Director, Policy Campaigns

Specializes in secondary and postsecondary education, career navigation, pathways, youth and young adult policies

Specializes in workforce development, skills training, apprenticeship, adult learner and worker policies

Taylor Maag, Director, Workforce Policy

Contact Congress

Leads the No Dead Ends campaign and specializes in state education and workforce policies

Specializes in criminal justice, reentry, fair chance employment, and prison education policies

Specializes in workforce development, skills training, apprenticeship, adult learner and worker policies

Specializes in secondary and postsecondary education, pathways, youth and young adult policies

Taylor Maag, Director, Workforce Policy

Policy Support Team:

Erica Cuevas, Director, Education Policy

Noah Bein, Director, Justice and Mobility

Policy Support Team:

Specializes in workforce development, skills training, apprenticeship, adult learner and worker policies

Policy Support Team:

Specializes in workforce development, skills training, apprenticeship, adult learner and worker policies

Meredith Hills, Senior Manager

Policy Support Team:

Specializes in secondary and postsecondary education, career navigation, pathways, youth and young adult policies

Specializes in criminal justice, reentry, fair chance employment, and prison education policies

Erica Cuevas, Director, Education Policy

Policy Support Team:

Taylor Maag, Director, Workforce Policy

Meredith Hills, Senior Manager

Taylor Maag, Director, Workforce Policy

Specializes in workforce development, skills training, apprenticeship, adult learner and worker policies

Policy Support Team:

Meredith Hills, Senior Manager

Shannon Lippert, Executive Assistant

Meredith Hills, Senior Manager

Help JFF Advance Key Policy Priorities

Shannon Lippert, Executive Assistant

Susannah Rodrigue, Senior Manager

Specializes in secondary and postsecondary education, career navigation, pathways, youth and young adult policies

Shannon Lippert, Executive Assistant

Meredith Hills, Senior Manager

Specializes in workforce development, skills training, apprenticeship, adult learner and worker policies

Meredith Hills, Senior Manager

Specializes in workforce development, skills training, learner and worker policies

Meredith Hills, Senior Manager

Taylor Maag, Director, Workforce Policy

Susannah Rodrigue, Senior Manager

Megan Soetaert, Manager, Financing the Future

Policy Support Team:

Susannah Rodrigue, Senior Manager

Shannon Lippert, Executive Assistant

Sign JFF’s No Dead Ends pledge today. When you do, you’ll join a coalition of nearly 100 leaders and organizations fighting for policies to put an end to dead ends in the U.S. economy.

Shannon Lippert, Executive Assistant

Policy Support Team:

Charlene Volk, Director

Megan Soetaert, Manager, Financing the Future

Susannah Rodrigue, Senior Manager

Megan Soetaert, Manager, Financing the Future

Specializes in workforce development, skills training, apprenticeship, adult learner and worker policies

Susannah Rodrigue, Senior Manager

Charlene Volk, Director

Meredith Hills, Senior Manager

Anna Waters, Marketing Communications Business Partner

Meredith Hills, Senior Manager

Charlene Volk, Director

Policy Support Team:

Megan Soetaert, Manager, Financing the Future

Shannon Lippert, Executive Assistant

Megan Soetaert, Manager, Financing the Future

Anna Waters, Marketing Communications Business Partner

Stay Connected

Charlene Volk, Director

Anna Waters, Marketing Communications Business Partner

Susannah Rodrigue, Senior Manager

Meredith Hills, Senior Manager

In 2025, the coalition will:

Stay Connected

Charlene Volk, Director

Shannon Lippert, Executive Assistant

Stay Connected

Megan Soetaert, Manager, Financing the Future

Anna Waters, Marketing Communications Business Partner

Stay Connected

Charlene Volk, Director

Susannah Rodrigue, Senior Manager

Anna Waters, Marketing Communications Business Partner

Advocate for policy priorities

Susannah Rodrigue, Senior Manager

Contact the Policy & Advocacy team at JFF.

Stay Connected

Megan Soetaert, Manager, Financing the Future

Stay Connected

Contact the Policy & Advocacy team at JFF.

Megan Soetaert, Manager, Financing the Future

Stay Connected

Anna Waters, Marketing Communications Business Partner

Charlene Volk, Director

Amplify best practices in education and workforce development

Contact the Policy & Advocacy team at JFF.

Charlene Volk, Director

Anna Waters, Marketing Communications Business Partner

Opt in now to ensure you continue to receive emails from us.

Contact the Policy & Advocacy team at JFF.

Stay Connected

Opt in now to ensure you continue to receive emails from us.

Contact the Policy & Advocacy team at JFF.

Engage with experts to stay updated on key opportunities to shape policy

Contact the Policy & Advocacy team at JFF.

Anna Waters, Marketing Communications Business

Stay Connected

Contact the Policy & Advocacy team at JFF.

Opt in now to ensure you continue to receive emails from us.

Sign the pledge to learn more about what you can do right now to make an impact.

Opt in now to ensure you continue to receive emails from us.

Contact the Policy & Advocacy team at JFF.

All federal employees and retirees can support JFF through the Combined Federal Campaign. Add JFF to your charity list and #GiveHappy through January 15!

Opt in now to ensure you continue to receive emails from us.

Stay Connected

All federal employees and retirees can support JFF through the Combined Federal Campaign. Add JFF to your charity list and #GiveHappy through January 15!

Contact the Policy & Advocacy team at JFF.

All federal employees and retirees can support JFF through the Combined Federal Campaign. Add JFF to your charity list and #GiveHappy through January 15!

Opt in now to ensure you continue to receive emails All federal employees and retirees can support Federal Campaign. Add JFF to your charity list January 15!

Jobs for the Future is a registered 501(c)(3)

Jobs for the Future: No Dead Ends

Writing, Creative Direction, and Strategy by Anna Waters

Primary Audiences:

• Workers and learners in the United States, including students, apprentices, trainees, and jobseekers

• K-12 and postsecondary education practitioners

• Workforce development practitioners

• State and federal policymakers and government agencies

• Employers, funders, donors, media, community partners, advocates, intermediaries, and aligned peer organizations

Contents:

• Campaign Website: Homepage + Pledge

• One-Pagers: Overview + Voter Polling + Fact Sheets

• Social Media: LinkedIn Series + Impact Recaps

• Emails: Memo + Webinar + Newsletter + Action Alert

• Branding: Toolkit + Social Graphics + Visual Identity >>

Developed a distinct, brand-compliant visual identity for the campaign in partnership with program teams, unit leadership, designers, and external vendors and freelancers.

Created, disseminated, and tracked branded content, including a welcome toolkit for pledge signatories, downloadable social media graphics, email and social media post templates, brochures, testimonial cards, fundraising collateral, and branded promotional products and signage for events.

Dead Ends

No

Dear Friend,

Thank you for your interest in joining Jobs for the Future (JFF) diverse coalition of leaders and organizations fighting to put dead ends at school, at work, and in life.

For too long, issues that affect people’s everyday lives—like education and the conditions at workplaces—are rarely mentioned political debates and are neglected during election campaigns “buzzy” political headlines. We’re flipping the script by advocating candidates running for national, state, and local office make and education policies a top campaign priority.

Thank you for your interest in joining Jobs for the Future (JFF) and our diverse coalition of leaders and organizations fighting to put an end to dead ends at school, at work, and in life.

With your help, we can bring attention to the kitchen table issues voters actually care about and achieve much-needed policy that all people have the boundless opportunities for economic advancement that they deserve.

Take action now:

For too long, issues that affect people’s everyday lives—like the quality of education and the conditions at workplaces—are rarely mentioned in political debates and are neglected during election campaigns amidst “buzzy” political headlines. We’re flipping the script by advocating that all candidates running for national, state, and local office make workforce and education policies a top campaign priority.

1. If you have not yet endorsed No Dead Ends, we encourage sign the pledge today!

2. Even if you're not ready to sign the pledge, please update information using this form to confirm how you would like involved in No Dead Ends.

3. Download these free promotional graphics and share the Ends pledge with other leaders and organizations so we continue to build the movement.

With your help, we can bring attention to the kitchen table issues that voters actually care about and achieve much-needed policy change so that all people have the boundless opportunities for economic advancement that they deserve.

Take action now:

4. Share via email using this No Dead Ends email template

5. Share the pledge on LinkedIn. Be sure to tag Jobs for LinkedIn and consider using this sample copy in your post: I just signed the #NoDeadEnds pledge! Together, an end to dead ends at school, at work, and in life. more about Jobs for the Future’s national policy campaign: https://share.hsforms.com/1ck9WYB0XSiOQJ_z_Mr2Rswbm x3v

1. If you have not yet endorsed No Dead Ends, we encourage you to sign the pledge today!

6. Share the pledge on X/Twitter. Be sure to mention @jfftweets and consider using this sample copy in your tweet: I just signed the #NoDeadEnds pledge! Together, an end to dead ends at school, at work, and in life. more about the @jfftweets national policy campaign: https://share.hsforms.com/1ck9WYB0XSiOQJ_z_Mr2Rswbm x3v

2. Even if you're not ready to sign the pledge, please update your information using this form to confirm how you would like to be involved in No Dead Ends.

7. Share the pledge on Facebook. Be sure to mention Jobs Future on Facebook and consider using this sample copy post:

3. Download these free promotional graphics and share the No Dead Ends pledge with other leaders and organizations so we can continue to build the movement.

I just signed the #NoDeadEnds pledge! Together, an end to dead ends at school, at work, and in life. more about Jobs for the Future’s national policy campaign:

4. Share via email using this No Dead Ends email template.

https://share.hsforms.com/1ck9WYB0XSiOQJ_z_Mr2Rswbm x3v

5. Share the pledge on LinkedIn. Be sure to tag Jobs for the Future on LinkedIn and consider using this sample copy in your post: I just signed the #NoDeadEnds pledge! Together, we can put an end to dead ends at school, at work, and in life. Learn more about Jobs for the Future’s national policy campaign:

Don't miss any updates on the No Dead Ends campaign! Confirm how you'd like to be involved with No Dead Ends and JFF's Advocacy team. We'll be in touch with new resources and information about opportunities for you to lend your voice and expertise policy discussions.

4. Share via email using this No Dead Ends email template

LinkedIn and consider using this sample copy in your post: I just signed the #NoDeadEnds pledge! Together, we can put an end to dead ends at school, at work, and in life. Learn more about Jobs for the Future’s national policy campaign: https://share.hsforms.com/1ck9WYB0XSiOQJ_z_Mr2Rswbm x3v

6. Share the pledge on X/Twitter. Be sure to mention @jfftweets on X and consider using this sample copy in your tweet: I just signed the #NoDeadEnds pledge! Together, we can put an end to dead ends at school, at work, and in life. Learn more about the @jfftweets national policy campaign: https://share.hsforms.com/1ck9WYB0XSiOQJ_z_Mr2Rswbm x3v

7. Share the pledge on Facebook. Be sure to mention Jobs for the Future on Facebook and consider using this sample copy in your post:

7. Share the pledge on Facebook. Be sure to mention Jobs for the Future on Facebook and consider using this sample copy in your post: I just signed the #NoDeadEnds pledge! Together, we can put an end to dead ends at school, at work, and in life. Learn more about Jobs for the Future’s national policy campaign: https://share.hsforms.com/1ck9WYB0XSiOQJ_z_Mr2Rswbm x3v

Dear Friend,

I just signed the #NoDeadEnds pledge! Together, we can put an end to dead ends at school, at work, and in life. Learn more about Jobs for the Future’s national policy campaign: https://share.hsforms.com/1ck9WYB0XSiOQJ_z_Mr2Rswbm x3v

Thank you for your interest in joining Jobs for the Future (JFF) diverse coalition of leaders and organizations fighting to put dead ends at school, at work, and in life.

Don't miss any updates on the No Dead Ends campaign! Confirm now how you'd like to be involved with No Dead Ends and JFF's Policy & Advocacy team. We'll be in touch with new resources and information about opportunities for you to lend your voice and expertise to critical policy discussions.

If you have questions or would like more information about No Dead Ends, you can email policy@jff.org.

Onward!

Policy & Advocacy Team

Take action now:

1. If you have not yet endorsed No Dead Ends, we encourage sign the pledge today!

2. Even if you're not ready to sign the pledge, please update information using this form to confirm how you would like involved in No Dead Ends.

3. Download these free promotional graphics and share the Ends pledge with other leaders and organizations so we continue to build the movement.

4. Share via email using this No Dead Ends email template

Share the pledge on Facebook. Be sure to mention Jobs Future on Facebook and consider using this sample copy post:

I just signed the #NoDeadEnds pledge! Together, an end to dead ends at school, at work, and in life. more about Jobs for the Future’s national policy campaign:

https://share.hsforms.com/1ck9WYB0XSiOQJ_z_Mr2Rswbm x3v

78,779 followers 1y

Our education and workforce systems have historically routed learners and workers through a linear path from high school to a lifelong career, maybe with a stop in between for a college degree. Opportunity seemed possible if you could get from Point A to Point B.

But for many, it’s never been that simple. While navigating these systems may have once looked easy for some, it was still a dead end for others. Fast-forward to today’s dynamic economy, and our education and workforce development systems are still producing too many dead ends at school, at work, and in life for millions of people.

But imagine a future where there are no dead ends for learners and workers. People deserve a learn-andwork system that is accessible, discoverable, and achievable for everyone and that erases the boundaries between learning and work. That's why, today, we at JFF are excited to release our new #NoDeadEnds policy road map, which breaks down our four core policy priorities into a set of actionable policy recommendations for federal and state policymakers.

Read the No Dead Ends policy road map: https://hubs.la/Q02FVGNs0

#wkdev #highered #K12 #federalpolicy #statepolicy

Jobsfor theFuture

NoDeadEnds Policy&Advocacy

No Dead Ends

A

Government Delivers Landmark Reforms to Boost Economy…

The Payroll Centre 4 months ago

Policy Road Map for Ensuring Boundless Opportunities at School, at Work, and in Life

AT A GLANCE

No Dead Ends offers a common-sense, fieldtested policy road map for re-engineering our education and workforce systems so everyone has boundless opportunities to advance through school, work, and life.

AUTHORS

David Altstadt

David Bradley

Mary Clagett

Erica Cuevas

Gopika Mavalankar

Karishma Merchant

Ethan Pollack

Curated Selection: No Dead Ends

ANNA WATERS

DESIGN, STRATEGY WORK SAMPLES:

Jobs for the Future: No Dead Ends

Sign the Pledge Sign the

Sign the Pledge Sign the

Policy Priorities Policy Priorities

Policy Priorities Policy Priorities

Jobs for the Future: No Dead Ends

No Dead Ends

No Dead Ends

A Policy Agenda for Ensuring Boundless Opportunities at School, at Work, and in Life

A Policy Agenda for Ensuring Boundless Opportunities at School, at Work, and in Life

Dead Ends

No Dead Ends

No Dead Ends

JFF’s Policy Agenda for a Learn-and-Work System With Boundless Opportunities at School, at Work, and in Life

JFF’s Policy Agenda for a Learn-and-Work System With Boundless Opportunities at School, at Work, and in Life

in Life

party lines agree on what matters this election year. Do you?

Voters across party lines agree on what matters this election year. Do you?

Voters across party lines agree on what matters this election year. Do you?

Examples of our impact across the country:

Examples of our

impact across the country:

Examples of our impact across the country: Tennessee

Tennessee

Tennessee

Indiana

Indiana

Indiana

Texas

Texas

Texas

Improving CareerDriven Education

81% OF REGISTERED VOTERS

Improving CareerDriven Education

Improving CareerDriven Education

Improving CareerDriven Education

Recommendations to improve career-driven education

Recommendations to improve career-driven education

Recommendations to improve career-driven education

Recommendations to improve career-driven education

Champion career-driven education

Champion career-driven education

Champion career-driven education

Modernize postsecondary systems

JOB OPENINGS

Texas

Texas

Examples of our successes in states:

Examples of our successes in states:

Examples of our successes in states: Texas

Ohio

Ohio

Ohio

Colorado

Colorado

Colorado

Learn more

Expanding Apprenticeship

Expanding Apprenticeship

Expanding Apprenticeship

Recommendations to advance and scale apprenticeship

Recommendations to advance and scale apprenticeship

Recommendations to advance and scale apprenticeship

Modernize the system

Prioritize investment

Empower intermediaries

Empower intermediaries

Empower

Examples

Examples of our successes in states:

South Carolina

South Carolina

South Carolina

Maine

Maine

Maine

Washington State