From “Work First” to Workforce First Strategies

Federal and state governments invest billions of dollars each year in higher education and workforce development programs to expand access to education and training. Yet research shows personal financial circumstances and the need to work significantly affect people’s ability to enroll and stay enrolled. When individuals cannot afford tuition and cover basic expenses, they miss out on gaining the skills and credentials employers require. As a result, those public investments fail to translate into higher earnings, increased tax revenue, stronger economic stability, or reduced use of public benefits.

Public benefit programs are intended to help people meet basic needs while working toward economic independence. However, many of these programs restrict education, creating barriers that deter, delay, or deny access to pathways proven to lead to higher wages, greater tax contributions, and lower unemployment and poverty rates.

Join us to learn more about this research and explore how some states treat public benefits as tools for success rather than obstacles by aligning benefit policies to support education, completion, and workforce participation.

Speakers:

• Jennifer Stiddard, Senior Director in Policy & Advocacy, Jobs For the Future (JFF)

• Caroline Treschitta, Senior Government Affairs Manager, National Skills Coalition

• Carrie R. Welton, Senior Policy Strategist, Trellis Strategies