CLASP

Pathways to Good Jobs

CLASP works to improve the labor market success of low-income individuals and their families in ways that contribute to social equity, economic growth and family well-being. We work to improve job quality and build pathways that connect low-income individuals -- including high school dropouts, ex-offenders, welfare recipients, low-skilled immigrants, and other vulnerable youth and adults -- to the education, training, and supports they need to advance.

Issues

Postsecondary and Economic Success Postsecondary education and credentials are key to economic mobility for individuals and economic competitiveness for our nation. Yet too many low-income adults and disadvantaged youth are locked out of the opportunity to earn credentials and are falling further and further behind. The Center for Postsecondary and Economic Success advocates for better policies, more investment, and increased political will to address this national challenge.
Basic Skills and Workforce Training Education and training are drivers of economic mobility and opportunity. CLASP works to strengthen federal and state education and training policy to ensure that low-wage workers and low-income individuals can enter and advance in the labor market, and to make sure that American businesses have access to workers with skills they need to compete. Transitional jobs, career exploration, job placement, and access to work supports such as child care also are essential for helping individuals get better jobs, succeed in education and training, and advance along a career pathway.
Employment Strategies Helping low-income adults obtain higher-quality jobs can lead to better job retention and wage growth. These individuals and others who experience difficulty in the labor market need access to employment services that enable them to enter the workforce and become reemployed if they lose their jobs.
Work/Life and Job Quality Promoting policy solutions that improve job quality is an essential part of CLASP’s agenda to reduce poverty, support families, reward effort and expand opportunity. CLASP’s advocacy on work/life and job quality concentrates on paid leave, predictable and responsive schedules, and advancement opportunities. Such workplace policies can significantly improve quality of life for those at the bottom of the labor market.
Work Supports Over the past decade, there have been significant expansions in policies that support low-income working families, such as refundable tax credits, health insurance, child support enforcement, child care subsidies, and nutritional supports. These programs help hard working families who struggle to meet basic needs due to low wages, irregular hours and lack of benefits. However, this safety net is incomplete. CLASP advocates for improvements in individual programs and in the service delivery system to help ensure low-income families have the support they need to stay employed and provide for their families.

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