A national institute for the American workforce.
ASCEND unites the country's leaders, employers, educators, and communities behind one shared mission: preparing Americans to lead the industries of the next century.
To advance American skills, careers, and economic opportunity — at national scale.
We build workforce systems that work — for individuals, employers, and the country. Through training, mentorship, research, and cross-sector partnerships, ASCEND helps every American reach their full economic potential.
An America where opportunity is universal and skill defines the future.
A country where geography, background, or circumstance no longer limit economic mobility, and where the American workforce remains the most capable, adaptable, and dignified in the world.
The commitments that guide every ASCEND initiative.
Skills as national infrastructure
A skilled workforce is as foundational to America's future as roads, energy, and broadband.
Evidence over ideology
Every program, policy recommendation, and initiative is grounded in rigorous, nonpartisan research.
Scale with dignity
National impact must never come at the cost of the individual learner, worker, or community.
Cross-sector by design
Government, industry, education, and civil society together — never in isolation.
Founded to answer a national question.
ASCEND was founded on a simple premise: America's greatest resource is its people. In an era of unprecedented technological change, we saw a widening gap between the careers of tomorrow and the workforce systems of today. ASCEND exists to close that gap — with rigor, scale, and unwavering commitment to the American worker.
Build the American workforce of the next century.
Whether you are a leader, funder, employer, mentor, or learner — there is a role for you at ASCEND.