Forum Launches Compact for Youth Careers Amid AI Workforce Challenges

Initiative Launched to Connect Youth with Careers in AI Age

Organizations pledge concrete action at a Washington forum to bridge the gap between education and careers for young people in the era of artificial intelligence.

WASHINGTON—A new initiative, the Compact for America's Youth, was unveiled by leaders from various sectors including industry, labor, education, and philanthropy. The initiative aims to create pathways from education to careers for young people, addressing challenges such as affordability, anxiety, and the impact of artificial intelligence. The call to action was announced by the AFT, CareerWise, and Jobs for the Future at a forum held on September 10.

The compact highlights key challenges faced by the youth as they enter the workforce, particularly during the critical years between ages 16 and 26. It encourages organizations to commit to public, measurable actions across three main areas: enhancing industry investment, implementing effective systems and policies, and utilizing innovative tools and resources.

The forum included discussions with notable figures such as AFT President Randi Weingarten, CareerWise President and CEO Brent Parton, Jobs for the Future President and CEO Maria Flynn, and RAISE US CEO Gina Raimondo. Business leaders from companies like General Motors, Micron, Aon, and the Siemens Foundation also participated, along with representatives from unions and philanthropic organizations.

Randi Weingarten stated, “Every young person deserves to see real pathways from the classroom to success in life, be it college, career or both; and our members are the ones helping to build those pathways every day.” She emphasized the need for collaboration to ensure that young people have the support they need to navigate the changing landscape of work due to AI.

Brent Parton emphasized the collective responsibility to support young people during critical career-launching years, while Maria Flynn highlighted the importance of combining technical skills with practical work experiences. Flynn noted, “Young people need more than technical skills. They need meaningful early experiences with the world of work, clear information about the opportunities available to them, and pathways that connect learning to economic mobility.”

The First Commitments

Several organizations announced their initial commitments at the forum, including new funding, program launches, and the development of digital tools aimed at providing paid career pathways for young people:

• The AFT is allocating $150,000 in new Career Pathways Partnership Grants to foster career-connected learning in communities through programs and partnerships.
• JFF and LinkedIn are collaborating on a $400,000 initiative to explore AI's impact on early-career jobs and the skills required to succeed in this evolving landscape.
• North America’s Building Trades Unions and Microsoft introduced the Jobs Machine, an AI-powered tool to guide individuals into construction apprenticeship programs.
• The AFL-CIO’s Working for America Institute announced a new initiative with the AFT to pilot the Manufacturing Core Curriculum with high school students in 2027.
• General Motors committed $500,000 to the Manufacturing Futures program, connecting middle school students in Detroit to careers in advanced manufacturing.
• RAISE US is partnering with the AFT to investigate how higher education can better prepare individuals for AI's impact through engagement with faculty and students.
• The Siemens Foundation pledged $2 million to expand CareerWise's radiologic technologist apprenticeships nationwide.
• The Walton Family Foundation invested $5 million in CareerWise to launch the "Apprentice Ready Schools" initiative, aiming to impact up to 60 districts and charter networks.
• The Annie E. Casey Foundation is supporting CareerWise to align education and apprenticeship systems across five states and enhance apprenticeship opportunities for youth.

NABTU President Sean McGarvey stated, “The building trades have been the original jobs machine for generations, creating pathways to the family-sustaining, middle-class careers through world-class Registered Apprenticeship programs.” Elizabeth Shuler of the AFL-CIO expressed excitement about expanding their work through this initiative, emphasizing the mission to provide vital skills for sustainable careers.

Siemens Foundation CEO David Etzwiler highlighted the importance of sector-focused partnerships to strengthen career pathways, stating, “By bringing together employers, educators, government and workforce organizations, we can continue to create sector-focused partnerships to strengthen these pathways.”

About CareerWise

CareerWise is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting young people to meaningful careers through education-to-career pathways. It offers youth apprenticeship programs and supports intermediaries nationwide, partnering with a diverse range of businesses.

About Jobs for the Future

JFF works to transform U.S. education and workforce systems to promote economic success for individuals, businesses, and communities. Learn more at www.jff.org.

The AFT

The American Federation of Teachers represents 1.8 million members, including teachers, school staff, higher education faculty, government employees, healthcare workers, and early childhood educators.

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