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21. Worker Training Tax Credit: Promoting Employer Investments in the Workforce

Author:
Alastair Fitzpayne and Ethan Pollack
Publication Date:
08-2018
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Aspen Institute
Abstract:
Rapid advances in technology, including artificial intelligence and automation, are transforming industries and reshaping the skills necessary to secure and keep a job. In response, U.S. workers will need to acquire skills that are not easily automated or that complement ever-changing technology. Yet, data suggest an alarming trend: there is a steady decline in the amount employers are investing in their workforce.[1] Federal and state policymakers should consider using tax incentives to encourage additional workforce training investments. To accomplish this, in May 2017 the Future of Work Initiative proposed the Worker Training Tax Credit. Modeled on the popular Research and Development (R&D) Tax Credit, this new tax credit could be used by small and large businesses to invest in training for their low- and middle-income workers. Based on economic modeling recently conducted by District Economics Group, the Worker Training Tax Credit would cost roughly $146.5 million over ten years, and lead businesses to increase training investments by 8.5 percent. Because the tax credit excludes training provided to high-income workers, these induced training investments would provide greater opportunity to low- and middle-income workers.
Topic:
Science and Technology, Employment, Tax Systems, Artificial Intelligence, and Skilled Labor
Political Geography:
North America and United States of America

22. Untangling the Power Cords

Author:
Michael Leifman
Publication Date:
08-2018
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Aspen Institute
Abstract:
The US electricity sector is in the midst of several transformations. These transformations are intertwined, with policy innovation and technological innovation reinforcing each other. Some transformations are coincident and proceeding rapidly, such as the decreasing importance of coal in the overall fuel mix and the increasing importance of natural gas and renewables, while other transformations are happening independently and at different speeds, such as the diffusion of electric vehicles and the financial woes of the nuclear industry. Though the US power system’s regulatory structure has always been fragmented, the current plethora of state initiatives has further complicated the landscape. These transformations and complexities are so wide-ranging that it has become difficult for non-experts to grasp their full breadth, let alone their depth and nuance. An observer might see a web of tangled cords, each running into each other. This multi-part series is to provide a common understanding of, and common language for, the most important transformations currently underway in US electricity markets, and to distill them to their essence. We hope to untangle the multiple “power cords” and enable a clearer conversation about where our power system is headed.
Topic:
Energy Policy, Natural Resources, Electricity, and Renewable Energy
Political Geography:
North America and United States of America

23. White Paper: Achieving Latino Mobility

Author:
Scott Astrada and Gwyn Hicks
Publication Date:
10-2018
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Aspen Institute
Abstract:
With the future of the United States directly tied to the economic well-being of nearly one-fifth of the population-Latino Americans-we all have a stake in ensuring their success and that every American has equal access to opportunity, regardless of race, skin color, economic status, address, or educational attainment. The ideas presented in this white paper come from discussions that took place at the 2018 America’s Future Summit: Unlocking Potential, Advancing Prosperity, on and off the stage, and as such represent the perspectives of informed speakers and participants.
Topic:
Economics, Race, Minorities, and Latino Issues
Political Geography:
North America and United States of America

24. Principles for Growing and Sustaining the Nation’s Cybersecurity Workforce

Author:
Aspen Cybersecurity Group
Publication Date:
11-2018
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Aspen Institute
Abstract:
The U.S. currently has a cyber workforce shortage of 300,000 individuals and the trend line predicts an increasing gap. This is largely because demand is significantly outpacing supply, large candidate pools are left untapped, employer requirements aren’t well sync’d to the skills needed, and awareness of cyber career paths remains low. After months studying the challenge, the Aspen Cybersecurity Group offers a mix of principles, partnerships, and specific steps employers can take to close the skills gap.
Topic:
National Security, Cybersecurity, Work Culture, and Skilled Labor
Political Geography:
United States of America and North America

25. Reaching Watershed Scale Through Cooperation and Integration: A Report from the 2018 Aspen-Nicholas Water Forum

Author:
Aspen Institute
Publication Date:
11-2018
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Aspen Institute
Abstract:
The annual Aspen-Nicholas Water Forum, a collaborative initiative between the Aspen Institute Energy and Environment Program and the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions at Duke University, serves as a platform for addressing domestic water challenges in the 21st century. Each year, the forum gathers ~50 participants—including thought leaders from the private sector, government, academia, and non-governmental organizations— representing expertise in industry, finance, philanthropy, government, academia, agriculture, food and technology companies, investors and entrepreneurs. The 2018 Aspen-Nicholas Water Forum explored opportunities to change the scale of water management through regional integration.The scale of water challenges of the 21st century is regional and encompasses multiple jurisdictions — whether depletion of multi-state aquifers, basin-scale flooding, or the wide-spread accumulation of nutrients leading to large estuarine dead zones. Yet decisions, practices, and policies are predominantly made at the local scale and are often sector specific, creating mismatches between problems and policy. Regional scale problems often require regional scale solutions, so how do we reach scale?
Topic:
Environment, Water, Private Sector, and Public Service
Political Geography:
North America and United States of America

26. Chicago’s Fresh Approach to Incumbent Worker Training

Author:
Amanda Newman and Jenny Weissbourd
Publication Date:
11-2018
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Aspen Institute
Abstract:
In recent years, the United States grocery industry has become increasingly competitive and experienced unprecedented consolidation. In Chicago, 25 stores closed between 2015 and 2017 — bringing the total number of stores down to its lowest number since 2009. Independent, privately owned food retailers rate competition as their highest concern, followed by worries about hiring and retention. In 2017, sales declined for half of the nation’s independent grocers. Pete’s Fresh Market (Pete’s) offers a notable exception. Launched in the early 1970s as a small, full-service produce stand on the South Side of Chicago, today Pete’s has 13 stores in the city and plans to open five more in the next few years. This family-owned grocer recognizes what it takes to succeed in a rapidly changing industry. One key to Pete’s growth strategy is its partnership with Instituto del Progreso Latino (Instituto), a nonprofit organization committed to the fullest development of Latino immigrants and their families through education, training, and employment. Reimagine Retail, an initiative of the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program funded by the Walmart Foundation, explores ways to enhance job quality and improve mobility for the retail workforce. In Chicago, we partner with a collaborative of workforce organizations, including Instituto, that is testing approaches to advance and retain workers in the retail sector. We caught up with Alita Bezanis, director of organizational development at Pete’s, and Yesenia Cervantes, dean of student services and community affairs at Instituto, who were eager to share how the partnership supports growth for Pete’s — and for Pete’s workers.
Topic:
Labor Issues, Employment, Training, and Skilled Labor
Political Geography:
North America, Chicago, Illinois, and United States of America

27. The New Energy Innovation Economy

Author:
Dave Grossman, Roger Ballentine, and Andy Karsner
Publication Date:
12-2015
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Aspen Institute
Abstract:
The 2015 Clean Energy Innovation Forum, “The New Energy Innovation Economy,” was co-chaired again this year by Roger Ballentine of Green Strategies and Andy Karsner of Manifest Energy. Topics discussed included the ongoing transformation of the energy user experience; distributed generation and disruption incumbent electricity business model; challenges in bridging the energy technology gap between development and adoption; and the impact of climate concerns on accelerating change.
Topic:
Climate Change, Economics, Energy Policy, Markets, and Science and Technology
Political Geography:
United States of America

28. Leaning Into the Energy System of the Future

Author:
Dave Grossman, Clint Vince, and Sue Tierney
Publication Date:
12-2015
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Aspen Institute
Abstract:
The 2015 Energy Policy Forum, “Leaning Into the Energy System of the Future,” was co-chaired by Sue Tierney, Managing Principal of The Analysis Group and former Assistant Secretary of Energy for Policy, and Clint Vince, Chair of the U.S. Energy Practice at Dentons U.S. LLP. Topics discussed included new global energy pricing realities and the effects on domestic energy; the Clean Power Plan; the electricity source mix of the future; and new business models needed to deal with current markets realities.
Topic:
Climate Change, Energy Policy, Natural Resources, Global Markets, and Financial Markets
Political Geography:
United States of America

29. Engaging State Legislators: Lessons for the Education Sector

Author:
Kristin Soltis Anderson and Marisa Goldstein
Publication Date:
12-2015
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Aspen Institute
Abstract:
This report distills the learnings from focus groups, in-depth interviews, and a two-day symposium with over 50 state legislative leaders and explores how they get their information, what matters most to them, and how groups that work with state legislators can engage them most effectively. As state legislators work to get education policy right, make sure you have the inside track on how they work and what they need to be effective.
Topic:
Education, Human Welfare, Communications, Governance, and Employment
Political Geography:
United States of America

30. Transforming U.S. Workforce Development Policies for the 21st Century

Author:
Carl Van Horn, Tammy Edwards, and Todd Greene
Publication Date:
10-2015
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Aspen Institute
Abstract:
Transforming U.S. Workforce Development Policies for the 21st Century explores how new policies and practice can meet the changing needs of workers, businesses and their communities. Produced in partnership by the Federal Reserve Banks of Atlanta and Kansas City, and the John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development at Rutgers University, this edited volume presents contributions from more than 65 leading scholars and practitioners engaged in workforce development. The book includes chapters co-written by two leaders at the Economic Opportunities Program.
Topic:
Economics, Human Welfare, Politics, Communications, and Employment
Political Geography:
United States of America