I left the National Skills Coalition Skills Summit feeling both energized and challenged. The conversations were honest and grounded. What stood out most wasn’t a single panel or policy proposal, but a set of shared truths that many of us working in workforce development already know—and don’t always say out loud.
One clear theme was the importance of addressing real, practical barriers to participation. At Can Code Communities, we see this constantly. People don’t opt out of training because they don’t care—they opt out because childcare, transportation, and basic financial instability make participation incredibly difficult. Paid training stipends, childcare support, and transportation aren’t fringe ideas; they’re what make workforce programs accessible in the first place.
Another strong takeaway was the need for more transparency from employers. This came up again and again. Job descriptions filled with jargon, unclear requirements, and unrealistic expectations are actively pushing people away. Simple changes matter: clear, plain-language postings, “day in the life” videos, and upfront explanations that help applicants understand whether they actually qualify. For many of the learners we work with—especially career changers and adults re-entering the workforce—clarity is the difference between applying and self-selecting out.
But the most powerful moments at the Summit weren’t about program mechanics. They were about dignity.
One story shared about a drywall worker stayed with me. Over a 40-year career, he watched his craft slowly lose respect and value, despite the skill and pride it required. That story reflects something much bigger than one job or one industry. It speaks to a broader failure to honor work—and workers—in this country. We see this in our classrooms too, where people arrive carrying the belief that their past work “doesn’t count,” even when it’s built on years of expertise, responsibility, and problem-solving.
The Summit pushed us to think about narrative as much as policy. We need a new story about work—one that restores dignity and purpose across all sectors, not just those with prestige attached. As one speaker put it, “A hot economy where businesses are chasing workers as opposed to workers chasing jobs really is the best jobs program we can create.”
Another line that stuck with me: “People under financial strain do not have the bandwidth to think long term and to think about their future.” That truth underpins so much of what we see on the ground. At Can Code, once people have devices, connectivity, and a measure of stability, everything changes—their confidence, their persistence, and their ability to imagine what’s next.
There was also a strong call to think bigger—much bigger. Several speakers referenced the New Deal, not as nostalgia, but as a reminder of what’s possible. It wasn’t training for the sake of training. It was about agency: enabling people to improve their homes, their communities, and their lives. The message was clear: incremental fixes won’t meet this moment.
That challenge extends to how we work together. The Summit made a compelling case for coalition over competition. Too often, organizations doing aligned work are forced to compete for limited resources, weakening the overall system. The future of workforce development depends on shared goals, shared language, and collective action.
One piece of advice from the Summit keeps echoing: “Fall in love with the problem. So you really know how to turn it into power.”
That feels like the work ahead—at Can Code and across the broader workforce ecosystem.
Thank you to the National Skills Coalition for convening this timely and necessary conversation and for creating space for honest reflection about the future of work.
