Competitiveness

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation publishes content on competitiveness and related issues. Find and access current and archived items in our database. 

U.S. Chamber Foundation, W.K. Kellogg Foundation Partner to Bring TPM Academies to Tennessee, Michigan, and Kentucky

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation announced today the next phase of the Talent Pipeline Management (TPM) initiative, the U.S. Chamber Foundation’s signature workforce development initiative. With a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the U.S. Chamber Foundation is leading the efforts on statewide TPM Academies. Michigan, Tennessee, and Kentucky have been selected to host these programs. Over the past four years, the TPM Academy has grown into a community of over 300 employers across 21 states.

Making the Case for a Learning Culture

Forward-thinking companies are adapting the way they operate to remain competitive in a fast-moving, tech-driven modern business environment. It follows that the smartest ones are also rethinking how they prioritize learning and development in this age of continuous reskilling. Far from being a “nice to have” perk, giving employees learning opportunities is a key differentiator that attracts high-value talent and enables their best work, which is something every company executive can get behind.

Measuring and Closing the Skills Gap

In Different Skills, Different Gaps: Measuring and Closing the Skills Gap, prepared for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation by Burning Glass Technologies, we examine the skills gap on an occupation-by occupation basis. This is the best way to both understand the gap, and to close it. An overall surplus of workers doesn’t offer much insight into the challenges of a specific industry looking to fill specific roles requiring specific skills.

U.S. Chamber Foundation, NAM’s Manufacturing Institute Release New Paper Outlining Employer-Led Opportunities for Workforce Development

Quality Pathways Slider

WASHINGTON, D.C.— The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the National Association of Manufacturers’ Manufacturing Institute today released a new paper advancing a solution for increased employer leadership and investment in earn and learn pathways, including apprenticeships, internship programs, vocational education, and on-the-job training. The paper, entitled “Quality Pathways: Employer Leadership in Earn and Learn Opportunities,” highlights the importance of employer leadership in developing a growing workforce that meets the needs of a modernizing United States economy.

Next Gen Staffing Closing the Skills Gap

Through its partnership with Penn Foster, EmployBridge, who puts more than 88,000 associates to work each day through professional brands including Select Staffing, ProLogistix, and Resource MFG, is doing more than connecting supply with demand. Together, they’re pioneering an entirely new approach to investing in talent with the potential to address pressing skills gaps -- while creating new career pathways for job-seekers. It’s a model that we may soon see replicated. Other staffing agencies -- in industries as varied as IT to construction to healthcare -- are exploring or have launched similar programs.

High-Quality Childcare is Business' Problem Too

Until very recently, caring for young children was considered a family, actually a woman’s, responsibility. But things are changing. The workforce of today looks quite different. Leading employers have identified this shift and recognize that acknowledging it is a winning proposition, both for their business and for America’s future. The changing nature of the workforce and shifting employee expectations provide the business community with a unique opportunity to lead the way in implementing family friendly policies that support their employees and make economic sense for the business’ bottom line.

Inspiring Girls in STEM

Breaking down STEM barriers starts in the classroom, providing science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) learning in an inclusive digital environment. And this education shouldn’t be limited to high school students. Igniting STEM interest in middle school increases girls’ STEM interest later in their education.

Explore Aptitudes

Despite historically low unemployment and a growing economy, hiring skilled workers remains a challenge in many of our nation’s key industries, such as manufacturing, construction, information technology, and healthcare. We know America’s young people have talent. Now it’s time to embrace the tools necessary to more effectively discover and guide that emerging talent to high demand careers.

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