With the support of the Strada Education Network and Walmart.org, UpSkill America conducted a 12-month, three-phase study to speak directly with employers to learn how the pandemic and heightened attention to racial inequities have influenced company employment plans for the months and years ahead. On this page, we compile our research and public events on this work.
Events
Insights from Businesses: How Digital Transformation Is Impacting Work and Skill Needs – September 2021
This summer, we’ve been speaking with employers to learn how businesses are adopting technology in the workplace, and if COVID-19 accelerated these efforts; how digital transformation is impacting skill needs for frontline workers; and what approaches businesses are taking to support development of digital skills for frontline workers. On September 22, we hosted a virtual event looking at what we have learned from employers and what can and should be done to help workers build the skills they need to advance in the workplace. Click here to watch.
How 2020 Accelerated Digital Transformation at Companies and What That Means for Frontline Workers – March 2021
This event shares results of our survey of over 340 business leaders on how businesses have adopted new technologies to respond to workers’ and customers’ needs. For many companies, digital transformation has led to changes in how they think about the skills frontline workers need to be successful in their jobs and the investments in education and training programs needed to support workers’ development. During this public discussion, we hear directly from leading employers in food service, healthcare, manufacturing, and retail. Panelists share how their businesses have responded to events in 2020, including ways they have responded to technological change and racial inequities in employment. Watch now.
Publications
10 Things We Learned About Digital Skills During the Pandemic – June 2022
This brief, “10 Things We Learned About Digital Skills During the Pandemic,” was excerpted from our publication, Pathways to digital skills development for Latino workers: What employers say about their skill development needs and what workforce organizations are doing to help. The Digital Skills and the Latino Workforce project is a partnership between UpSkill America and the Latinos and Society Program. The goal of the project is to learn how digitalization and automation of work impact Latino frontline workers and Latino-owned businesses across sectors. Read more.
Insights from Businesses: How Digital Transformation Is Impacting Work and Skill Needs – September 2021
Over the past year, UpSkill America conducted a three-phase study to learn how the pandemic and heightened attention on racial inequities have influenced companies’ employment plans for the months and years ahead. We were especially interested in the impact these changes were having on frontline and entry-level employees and employers’ education and training programs. In this third phase of the research, we spoke directly with employers and asked: In what ways are businesses adopting technology in the workplace, and has COVID-19 accelerated these efforts? How is digital transformation impacting skill needs for frontline workers? What approaches are businesses taking to support development of digital skills for frontline workers? See what we learned through our most recent conversations. Read more.
How Companies Transformed During 2020 and the Impact on Frontline Workers – March 2021
Upskill America spent six months interviewing and surveying employers about how events in 2020 — the pandemic and heightened attention on systemic racism — are influencing the types of new skills needed by frontline workers, employer-funded education and training programs and other workplace supports for frontline and entry-level workers, and strategies to enhance racial equity and inclusion in the workplace. This presentation summarizes the findings from our interviews and a January 2021 survey. Read more.
Impact of COVID-19 Study – January 2021
This presentation captures our key takeaways from an initial round of employer interviews, including employers’ experiences as they adapted and survived during the upheaval of 2020. Additionally, employers shared perspectives about skill needs and workforce practice changes that are likely to be with us into the foreseeable future. Read more.
Join the upskilling movement
UpSkill America is an employer-led movement that promotes training and advancement practices to help workers progress in their careers and move into better-paying jobs. UpSkill America is an initiative of the Economic Opportunities Program.
The Economic Opportunities Program advances strategies, policies, and ideas to help low- and moderate-income people thrive in a changing economy. Follow us on social media and join our mailing list to stay up-to-date on publications, blog posts, events, and other announcements.
