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Diverse group of employees
Connecting Available Talent and Opportunity

Widening Pathways to Work

A New Vision for Workforce Opportunity

A growing body of evidence demonstrates the significant strengths and capabilities of talent pools that have historically been under engaged or overlooked in the workforce. It also makes clear that a focus on the skills and competencies people have regardless of where they learned them drives workforce opportunity, increases business economic productivity, and improves American competitiveness across the board.

Widening Pathways to Work, in addition to driving a shift towards a skills-first paradigm for all workers and workplaces, is focused on six talent pools that collectively represent over two-thirds of all working age adults in the US today.

Who are we talking about?

161 million

adults without degrees1

70 million

justice-impacted adults2

5 million

opportunity youth3

11 million

older adults4

22 million

adults with disabilities5

9 million

military connected adults4

1 Opportunity@Work; 2 Working Nation; 3 Measure of America; 4 US Bureau of Labor Statistics; 5 American Community Survey


Focus Areas

group of coworkers pose for a photo together at the office
Skills First Talent

Embracing a skills-first talent management perspective means putting what people know ahead of how they learned it—and it benefits both workers and employers.

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Youth working together
Justice Impacted Talent

Engaging second-chance talent means recognizing dedication and loyalty beyond past mistakes—and it unlocks committed, hardworking employees.

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Older Workers
Older Workers

Hiring older workers means appreciating experience, wisdom, knowledge, and reliability—and it strengthens organizational knowledge and stability.

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Man in wheel chair working
People with Disabilities

Hiring and supporting people with disabilities expands access to loyal, high-performing workers and fosters innovation and long-term retention.

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Youth working
Opportunity Youth

Tapping opportunity youth means tapping into fresh energy, creativity, and eagerness to learn—and it fuels innovation and workforce diversity.

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Military community
The Military Community

A focus on military talent means valuing leadership, resilience, and adaptability developed through service—and it drives strong team performance.

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Embrace Future-Forward Talent Management with SHRM Foundation Trainings

SHRM Foundation offers SHRM-backed specialty credentials to equip you to embrace skills-first talent management strategies and source, hire, support, and retain a broad spectrum of untapped talent. Earn up to 46 professional development credits toward your SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP certification by completing all four!

Skills First Credential Badge

A first-of-its-kind training on how to integrate skills-first talent management strategies from recruitment to retirement.

Cost: $995 member, $1,345 non-member
PDCs: 16

Learn More
Military Community at Work Certificate Badge

Training that equips you to recruit, retain, and advance military-connected talent through focused workforce strategies.

Cost: $0
PDCs: 10

Learn More
Employing Abilities at Work Certificate Badge

A fast-paced training that prepares you to build disability-inclusive workplaces through informed hiring, retention, and advancement strategies.

Cost: $0
PDCs: 10

Learn More
Getting Talent Back to Work Certificate Badge

A flexible certificate program that equips you to confidently hire, retain, and support justice-impacted talent through inclusive and informed workplace practices.

Cost: $0
PDCs: 10

Learn More

Funders and Partners

Funders

Big Brothers Big Sisters Of America Logo
Charles Koch Foundation Logo
Comcast Logo
Delta Regional Authority Logo
Retirement Research Fund Foundation for Aging Logo
Sam's Club Logo
Tyson Foods Logo
USAA Logo
US Department of Labor Logo
Walmart
Workday Logo

Partners

AARP Foundation Logo
Apprenti Logo
Business Roundtable Logo
Competency-Based Education Network Logo
Credential Engine Logo
D’Aniello Institute for Veterans & Military Families Logo
Education Design Lab Logo
Elizabeth Dole Foundation Logo
Grads of Life Logo
Hiring Our Heroes Logo
Jobs for the Future Logo
Learn & Work Ecosystem Library Logo
Military Spouse Employment Partnership Logo
National Governors Association Logo
Opportunity@Work Logo
SkillsFWD Logo
Spouse Education and Career Opportunities Logo
Topos Partnership Logo
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