National Skills Coalition Launches a National Initiative to Advance a New Workforce Vision for Working People and Local Businesses

Initiative launches with a cross-sector Advisory Council of 34 national leaders on skills, jobs, and the economy  

Washington, D.C. – National Skills Coalition (NSC) today announced the launch of A New Promise of Work, a national initiative uniting workers, students, businesses, and policymakers to advance a bold workforce vision—one where everyone has a fair shot at real economic opportunity, no matter where they’re from. The initiative elevates workforce development as a first-choice investment—one that strengthens people, communities, and the broader economy—rather than a system reserved only for those needing a “second chance.” 

A New Promise of Work will develop a forward-looking national workforce policy agenda, to be released in 2027, intended to reshape how our nation invests in pathways to valuable skills, good jobs, and shared prosperity. This initiative will reflect what people need to learn, work, and build economic security in a changing economy—and how workforce policy must evolve to meet this moment. 

The initiative launches alongside the A New Promise of Work Advisory Council, a 34-member, cross-sector group of influential leaders on skills training, jobs, and the economy. Council members bring deep on-the-ground experience, national influence, and a range of perspectives from across the country that will help guide the initiative’s strategic direction. 

“A new workforce agenda can’t be built just inside the Beltway,” said Brooke DeRenzis, CEO of National Skills Coalition. “It has to be shaped by workers, learners, employers, and communities across the country. At a moment of rapid economic change—driven by technology shifts, demographic realities, and rising costs—we need a new promise of work that meets this moment and delivers real opportunity for everyone. If we want to compete globally, that means treating workforce development as a first-choice investment in people and our economy.” 

By strategically investing in our workforce systems, the United States has a powerful opportunity to unlock stronger innovation, accelerate economic growth, and reinforce global competitiveness. While many OECD nations have already made substantial commitments in this area, the U.S. has significant room to strengthen its approach—and the potential impact of doing so is substantial. 

Throughout 2026, National Skills Coalition will engage local leaders across the nation—from both urban and rural areas—to inform the A New Promise of Work agenda. This work will include listening sessions, interviews, and sustained engagement with workers, learners, local businesses, and workforce practitioners—people who understand firsthand what’s working, what’s broken, and what it will take to build an economy that works for all. 

The Advisory Council will provide ongoing guidance as NSC works with its national network to identify where workforce policy can unlock meaningful and lasting change. 

The members of the A New Promise of Work Advisory Council are: 

• Abby Snay, Deputy Secretary for Workforce Strategy at the California Labor & Workforce Development Agency 

• Alisha Small, Leader, Voices for Skills Network 

• Alison Griffin, Principal Consultant to FutureRise 

• Annie Izod, Executive Director of the NCWorks Commission 

• Brent Parton, President of CareerWise 

• Caitlyn Brazill, President of Per Scholas 

• Cara Brumfield, Vice President for Housing and Income Security at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities 

• Chan Park, Head of U.S. and Canada Policy and Partnerships at OpenAI 

• Christopher White, Vice Chancellor for Workforce Development and Upward Mobility at The State University of New York 

• Cori Kramer, CEO of Center Forward 

• Cy Richardson, Senior Vice President for Programs at the National Urban League 

• Dane Linn, Senior Vice President of Corporate Initiatives at Business Roundtable 

• Harry Holzer, John LaFarge Jr. SJ Professor of Public Policy at Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy 

• Dr. Ian Record, Workforce Development Policy Consultant for Tribal Nations and Native Organizations 

• Ja’Ron Smith, Partner at CGCN Group 

• Jacob I. Hannah, CEO at Coalfield Development 

• Dr. Janelle Williams, Co-Founder & CEO of Kindred Futures 

• Jesse Van Tol, President and CEO of National Community Reinvestment Coalition 

• Jim Young, Senior Director, Labor and Workforce Policy, Associated General Contractors of America 

• Lucretia Murphy, J.D., Ph.D., Vice President Center for Justice & Economic Advancement at Jobs for the Future. 

• Luis Sandoval, Executive Director of Building Skills Partnership 

• Mauricio Garcia, Senior Vice President for Programs at UnidosUS 

• Dr. Michael R. Strain, Director of Economic Policy Studies at the American Enterprise Institute 

• Monique Miles, Vice President of the Aspen Institute 

• Portia Wu, Maryland Secretary of Labor 

• Pronita Gupta, Senior Fellow at Workshop 

• Randi Weingarten, President of American Federation of Teachers 

• Rob Cherry, CEO of Partner4Work 

• Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart, Chancellor of the Austin Community College District 

• Sarita E. Brown, Co-founder and President of Excelencia in Education 

• Scott Paul, President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing 

• Scott Stump, Chief Executive Officer of the National FFA Organization 

• Van Ton-Quinlivan, CEO of Futuro Health 

Quotes from Advisory Council members: 

• “Once again, National Skills Coalition is in the forefront in envisioning a new future for workforce, one that encompasses economic security and job quality and addresses the life challenges and affordability issues that can keep people from moving forward in their working lives,” said Abby Snay, Deputy Secretary for Workforce Strategy at the California Labor & Workforce Development Agency. “I am honored and excited to join leaders from across the country and from diverse organizations and perspectives to help shape this vision.” 

• “A strong workforce system is built when learner and worker voices are embedded not just in conversation, but in design and decision-making. A New Promise of Work is creating space for that kind of leadership, and I’m honored to contribute my lived experience and systems perspective to this work in support of its vision and long-term impact,” said Alisha Small, Leader, Voices for Skills Network. 

• “We’re at a pivotal moment where federal policy, state innovation, and employer needs are converging in ways we haven’t seen before,” said Alison Griffin, Principal Consultant to FutureRise. “I’m proud to join the Advisory Council for A New Promise of Work to help shape a national agenda that connects these dots: expanding access to opportunity and preparing learners and workers for what’s actually ahead.” 

• “The pace of technological change isn’t slowing down, and neither can we. The New Promise of Work Advisory Council represents the kind of bold, cross-sector commitment this moment demands. We can’t afford incremental thinking when entire industries are being reshaped by AI. Per Scholas is proud to join National Skills Coalition and our fellow council members in building a workforce system that delivers on its promise to every worker: valuable skills, good jobs, and shared economic prosperity,” said Caitlyn Brazill, President of Per Scholas. 

• “Too many people are forced to choose between building new skills and meeting basic needs,” said Cara Brumfield, Vice President for Housing and Income Security at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. “A New Promise of Work centers affordability and equity, recognizing that workforce systems must address real-world barriers if we want more people to access quality jobs and economic stability.” 

• “The future of AI should be built with workers at the center,” said Chan Park, Head of U.S. and Canada Policy and Partnerships at OpenAI. “AI can help people do their jobs better and open new doors of economic opportunity—but only if workers have real access to the tools and the skills to use them. Through A New Promise of Work and its Advisory Council, we can help ensure workers are prepared to thrive and that the benefits of this technology are broadly shared.” 

• “Expanding access to economic opportunity is a goal that brings leaders from across the political spectrum together,” said Cori Kramer, CEO of Center Forward. “I’m proud to join the Advisory Council for A New Promise of Work to help advance a forward-looking workforce agenda that supports workers, businesses, and long-term economic growth.” 

• “The National Urban League is proud to participate in NSC’s New Promise of Work initiative, which aligns directly with our mission to expand economic opportunity and ensure all workers—especially those historically underserved—have access to quality jobs, digital skills, and pathways to shared prosperity. NSC’s call for a bolder, more equitable workforce agenda centered on valuable skills, good jobs, and inclusive growth reflects the Urban League’s long-standing commitment to dismantling barriers and advancing racial and economic justice,” said Cy Richardson, Senior Vice President for Programs at the National Urban League. “As a national civil rights and workforce leader with deep community-based partnerships, the Urban League is an essential partner in shaping this new collaborative, bringing lived experience, trusted local networks, and proven models that ensure policies translate into real impact for workers and families across the country.” 

• “The New Promise of Work initiative is an important opportunity to rethink how America’s workforce system delivers real value for both workers and employers,” said Dane Linn, Senior Vice President of Corporate Initiatives, Business Roundtable. “I’m honored to serve on the advisory council and work alongside leaders across sectors to help shape a forward-looking framework that strengthens skills training, supports quality jobs and drives economic prosperity.” 

• “American workers and the job market face a number of major challenges—how to earn family—sustaining wages and benefits, how to find good jobs and the skills needed to fill them, and how to adjust to AI that could disrupt and displace millions of workers. National Skills Coalition has been in the forefront of worker and employer efforts to fund skill-building for decades, and their A New Promise of Work initiative will enable them to engage in all of the key issues facing U.S. workers and jobs today. I fully support this initiative and look forward to the progress it will generate,” said Harry Holzer, John LaFarge Jr. SJ Professor of Public Policy at Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy. 

• “A New Promise of Work stands to elevate and recast workforce development as a first path to forging American prosperity for all through visionary federal and state policies and increased funding. As engines of economic and job growth across rural America, Tribal Nations and their workforces are invaluable contributors to this shared endeavor,” said Dr. Ian Record, Workforce Development Policy Consultant for Tribal Nations and Native Organizations. 

• “The future of work requires practical, forward-looking solutions,” said Ja’Ron Smith, Partner at CGCN Group. “Through A New Promise of Work and its Advisory Council, we have a real opportunity to build a workforce agenda grounded in practical experience and focused on delivering meaningful results for workers, employers, and communities.” 

• “Now is the moment where alliances of unlikely partners build together a promise for a massive universal need we have in America–workforce development. We can’t keep hoping that small efforts solve big problems, but we can bring together each of our own wisdoms, goals, and grit to collectively commit to serving the nation through this promise. And I am incredibly honored that I am one of those patches in the massive and multi-colored patchwork quilt of this coalition! Together, we’re making something real. Now help us make it a reality,” said Jacob I. Hannah, CEO of Coalfield Development. 

• “I am honored to be one of the 34 leaders chosen for the National Skills Coalition’s Advisory Council for its ‘A New Promise of Work’ initiative,” said NCRC President and CEO Jesse Van Tol. “For too many communities, workforce development has been a band-aid and ‘second chance’ solution. Without access to good jobs that pay a thriving wage, unchecked investment into communities can push out the very families our members serve. This initiative will change that by bringing together workers, students, businesses and policymakers to advance a workforce vision that centers on expanding access to valuable skills, quality jobs and shared prosperity. I look forward to the opportunity to review the framework and policy agenda developed by NSC, and to help move those recommendations forward.” 

• “The construction industry needs greater investment in workforce education and training, stronger coordination across the many federal, state, and local programs that touch the talent pipeline, and better alignment between training systems and employer needs,” said Jim Young, Senior Director, Labor and Workforce Policy, Associated General Contractors of America. “By working together to increase funding and streamline efforts, the Advisory Council can help ensure we are building not only the infrastructure our country needs, but also the skilled workforce required to deliver it.” 

• “As a member of the Advisory Council, I’m committed to working with fellow leaders to reimagine how our nation prepares people for work and turn that vision into measurable progress for workers, employers, and communities nationwide. The promise of work must mean fair chance opportunity, clear pathways to advancement, and systems centered on access and dignity. We cannot wait—now is the moment to transform our systems so the promise of work is real for the next generation and beyond,” said Lucretia Murphy, J.D., Ph.D., Vice President Center for Justice & Economic Advancement at Jobs for the Future. 

• “A New Promise of Work arrives at a critical moment for our country. For too long, workforce development has been treated as a secondary system rather than a core strategy for economic mobility and shared prosperity. I’m honored to join the National Skills Coalition Advisory Council and contribute the perspective of Building Skills Partnership, where we see every day how investing in workers, particularly immigrant and frontline workers, strengthens industries and communities alike,” said Luis Sandoval, Executive Director of Building Skills Partnership. “If we are serious about equity, job quality, and adaptability, then workforce policy must be rooted in real partnerships between labor, employers, and the community. It must value worker voice and recognize that economic justice and economic growth are not competing goals — they rise together. I look forward to helping shape a forward-looking national agenda that ensures skills training is a top national priority.” 

• “Far too many Americans are working hard and still falling short—and for Latino families, that gap between hard work and real opportunity has never been acceptable. A New Promise of Work gets at the root of that, bringing together the cross-sector leadership and community, grounding it will take to build workforce systems that actually deliver for everyone,” said Mauricio Garcia, Senior Vice President for Programs at UnidosUS. 

• “The work of NSC’s Advisory Council is critical to expanding economic and social mobility for underrepresented and marginalized populations through a policy and advocacy agenda. It’s an honor to work alongside a diverse range of advocates who share a vision for the future of work, ensuring it works for all,” said Monique Miles, Vice President of the Aspen Institute. 

• “A strong workforce system must be built with workers at the center and supported by coordinated federal, state, and local action,” said Pronita Gupta, Senior Fellow at Workshop. “I’m honored to join the Advisory Council for A New Promise of Work to help inform a national agenda that aligns policy with the needs of today’s economy and tomorrow’s challenges.” 

• “The New Promise of Work Advisory Council comes at a pivotal moment. If we’re serious about preparing young people for durable, 21st-century careers, we have to rethink how we connect public schools to real pathways into good jobs. That work starts in our K–12 public schools—with educators who know how to engage students and build the foundational skills that last a lifetime,” said Randi Weingarten, President of American Federation of Teachers. “I’m honored to serve on this National Skills Coalition council to help ensure that every student has access to meaningful opportunities that lead to economic security and purpose.” 

• “The rapid rise of AI is widening skills gaps and deepening inequities for workers and communities that are already underserved. That’s exactly why this kind of collaboration matters. NSC’s A New Promise of Work Advisory Council is the right table, with the right leaders, at the right time. I’m grateful for NSC’s leadership on these important issues,” said Rob Cherry, CEO of Partner4Work. 

• “The uncertain economic reality requires intentional, scaled and integrated workforce plans that ensure the future worker has the skills to meet the demand. This Council will ensure we are ready for this moment,” said Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart, Chancellor of the Austin Community College District. 

• “A New Promise of Work reflects what we know at Excelencia — that there are colleges and universities building pathways from college to career for Latino, and all, students. Proud to join this effort to advance economic mobility and our nation’s workforce. Working together, we’ll shape an agenda for workforce development that will grow talent for America’s future,” said Sarita Brown, Co-founder and President of Excelencia in Education, 

• “There are amazing opportunities in manufacturing as we look ahead. That’s why breaking down barriers to access, training, and apprenticeships is critical work. I’m honored to contribute to the initiative and Advisory Council as we work towards solutions,” said Scott Paul, President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing. 

• “Preparing the next generation of leaders is essential to building a strong workforce,” said Scott Stump, Chief Executive Officer of the National FFA Organization. “I’m proud to join the Advisory Council for A New Promise of Work to help shape a national agenda and ensure workforce development is treated as a first-choice investment in our country’s future.” 

• “As the economy changes, workforce systems must also evolve,” said Van Ton-Quinlivan, CEO of Futuro Health. “Through NSC’s New Promise of Work and its Advisory Council, we have the opportunity to shape a future-forward agenda that considers workforce resiliency and connects people to economic participation and mobility.” 

 

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