America’s Employers: The New Engines to the Middle-Class

With college attendance and completion rates stagnating, more individuals are entering the workforce early to avoid overwhelming debt, shifting the responsibility of career growth and education to employers. For many future leaders, the most impactful education they receive will come from their roles as frontline workers—gaining skills and opportunities in fast food, skilled trades, or customer service. This panel explores how employers are stepping up to provide meaningful pathways for upward mobility, reshaping the workforce and rebuilding the middle class.