Opportunity Unlocked:
Providing Pathways for American Workers
Corporate America’s commitment to workforce development is delivering real results for American workers. By investing in skills training, apprenticeship programs and career pathways, leading companies are opening doors to higher-paying jobs, long-term career growth and greater economic mobility.
Explore the stories:
Opportunity Unlocked:
Chris Kastner, President and CEO of HII
At HII, the Apprentice School is the backbone of the business’s success. The four-year program, which HII President and CEO Chris Kastner calls the “Leadership Factory,” unlocks opportunities by teaching apprentices the ins and outs of shipbuilding. After gaining top-level training on all aspects of the shipbuilding process, many graduates go on to become foremen, general foremen and even vice presidents at the company.
Opportunity Unlocked:
Blake Moret, Chairman and CEO of Rockwell Automation
Rockwell Automation matches returning service workers with manufacturing roles, facilitating career growth and furthering industry innovation. By focusing on skills-based hiring and lifelong learning on the job, the company is helping to future-proof their workforce.
Opportunity Unlocked:
Chuck Robbins, Chair and CEO of Cisco
Cisco recognizes that strong talent isn't defined by degrees but rather a person's skills. The company has shifted from traditional degree-based hiring toward skills-based hiring, facilitating a more innovative and dynamic workforce.
Opportunity Unlocked:
Chris Nassetta, President and CEO of Hilton
Hilton is committed to supporting its team at all career stages by providing the skills they need to advance into leadership roles within the company.
Opportunity Unlocked:
Scott Kirby, CEO of United Airlines
United Airlines is paving the way for big employers not only to create jobs but also careers.
Opportunity Unlocked:
Corie Barry, CEO of Best Buy
Best Buy’s Altitude Program is unlocking opportunities through mentorship, training and strategic development. The program, which temporarily takes director-level employees out of their day jobs and puts them into training cohorts, allows the company to play to each employee’s unique skills and strengths. As a result, Best Buy is able to unleash the power of the people and create more opportunities for employees to level up.
Opportunity Unlocked:
Sarah London, CEO of Centene
Centene Corporation’s Culture Ambassadors program brings leaders across the corporation together to help shape the future of the organization. The workforce development program helps ambassadors build relationships, hone leadership skills and further their understanding of the business — all while fostering the Centene culture.
Opportunity Unlocked:
Calvin Butler, President & CEO of Exelon
Exelon knows that its workforce is the foundation of the company’s success. Its employee-focused strategy focuses on providing quality careers while also fueling the economy in employees’ communities. The DC Infrastructure Academy (DCIA) Pepco Utility Training program is just one example of how Exelon provides workers with the opportunity both to gain skills and rise through the company ranks.