Nearly half of U.S. workers are in low-paying jobs. Systemic issues in education, employment, and workforce development prevent millions of people from advancing economically and threaten our 10-year goal of 75 million people working in quality jobs.
The Policy & Advocacy team at Jobs for the Future leads the national conversation on equitable economic advancement, influences state and national discussions, and designs practice-informed solutions. Our work is bold and field-tested, and we work on both sides of the aisle.
We champion practice-informed, nonpartisan policy approaches for changes in the education system and workforce systems. We provide expert guidance to federal and state policymakers and other stakeholders through forums and institutes, subject-matter expertise, and design and implementation assistance.
We explore innovative ideas for financing education to increase affordability, quality, and employer engagement.
JFF’s policy recommendations for serving youth in infrastructure, climate, and semiconductor production careers Read JFF’s nine policy recommendations for better serving youth who are disconnected from school and work, based on the perspectives they shared…
Recommendations for the Incoming President’s First 100 Days and Beyond
In this paper, JFF offers a comprehensive set of federal policy recommendations that are highly actionable, practical, and bipartisan—focusing on solutions that can be implemented to build a more inclusive dynamic and human-centered economy. Jobs…
How to Use Investments in Infrastructure, Semiconductor Technology, and Climate to Help Workers This guide outlines 10 shifts workforce development agencies can make to harness the power and help drive the impact of infrastructure, semiconductor…
State Policy Framework This framework describes steps states can take toward adopting the Big Blur’s four key components, plus four types of policy environments states encounter in creating a reimagined grade-11-14 learn-and-work system. Related Content
JFF’s Financing the Future initiative reimagines the way we finance education and skills development.
JFF’s Congressional Staff and Executive Branch Networks on Economic Advancement connect federal policymakers with practitioners from across the country to learn about evidence-based, replicable, and innovative practices that meet the nation’s most complex education and workforce challenges.
JFF established the Policy Leadership Trust to marshal evidence, expertise, and insights of postsecondary practitioners to influence the direction of state and federal policy. Community college leaders and state system officials serving on the trust identify how policy can help more learners and workers attain credentials and skills and succeed in the labor market.
Hosted by longtime higher education journalist Paul Fain, the podcast features conversations with prominent community college leaders about the policy approaches that work best for workers, learners, and employers, and those that fall short.
The United States has been long overdue for transformation of its postsecondary education and workforce development systems, and the pandemic exponentially increased the need.
This tool was co-created with input from Building Equitable Pathways' Community of Practice members to support policy improvement.
Income share agreements (ISAs) have garnered significant excitement as a new tool to finance postsecondary education. JFF analyzed a proprietary data set of ISA contract holders and found no consistent and significant favorability toward one racial/ethnic or gender group over another.
Karishma Merchant is associate vice president of Policy & Advocacy at JFF. She leads nonpartisan engagement with federal and state policymakers to craft education and workforce policies that drive equitable economic advancement for all. Before…
Mary Gardner Clagett is a senior director in the Policy & Advocacy practice at JFF. She works with workforce policy leaders and practitioners nationwide to shape effective policy recommendations for U.S. workers and the U.S.…
Taylor Maag is a director of workforce policy in Policy & Advocacy at JFF. She leads JFF’s federal and state workforce policy efforts, conducting research, developing solutions, writing policy recommendations, and convening necessary partners to…
Ethan Pollack is a senior director in the Policy & Advocacy practice at JFF. He leads the Financing the Future initiative, which explores new approaches to financing postsecondary education. He tracks the evolution and performance…
David Altstadt is a director in the Policy & Advocacy practice at JFF. He develops nonpartisan policy solutions and cultivates partnerships with policymakers, practitioners, and advocates to influence the direction of national and state policies…
Erica Cuevas is a director in the Policy & Advocacy practice at JFF. She leads policy analysis, research, advocacy, and communications efforts to strengthen federal and state policy to spur innovation and improve pathways across…