A Blueprint for Developing Economic Opportunity for All Youth

Abstract

Young Americans represent the future of the United States but face challenging pathways to economic opportunity. Challenges related to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and demands for related skill sets are complicating access to work and opportunity for many who are newly entering the workforce. To address this challenge, more state, local, and nonprofit leaders are using evidence-based strategies to advance economic opportunity for youth. AIR recently partnered with the Brookings Institution to gain insight from 21 leaders representing state workforce agencies, local workforce development boards, and other organizations to explore what programs need to offer youth to help set them on a path to economic success. It also explores the critical levers for optimizing youth program delivery and describes how philanthropic and government funders can adapt their strategies to foster and scale innovations. This brief offers a roadmap for funders and policymakers to accelerate economic mobility for youth through strategic investments in ecosystem-building, navigation support, modernized data systems, and capacity development.