Jobs for the Future

Jobs for the Future

Shapes education and workforce systems

Overview

Jobs for the Future helps shape how education and workforce systems in the United States work together to boost economic success for people, businesses, and communities. It uses research, policy analysis, and practical guidance to design and implement programs that connect education, training, and labor markets. Instead of selling a single product, it provides tools, frameworks, and partnerships to help schools, training providers, employers, and governments improve how people gain skills and find good jobs. What sets it apart is its focus on transforming entire systems across education and work, drawing on evidence and collaborating with public, private, and nonprofit partners to scale effective approaches. The overall goal is to create durable, widely available opportunities that help people get higher-quality jobs and drive regional and national economic growth.

About Jobs for the Future

Simplify's Rating
Why Jobs for the Future is rated
B-
Rated B on Competitive Edge
Rated B on Growth Potential
Rated C on Differentiation

Industries

Company Size

501-1,000

Company Stage

Grant

Total Funding

$36.9M

Headquarters

Boston, Massachusetts

Founded

1983

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • AI literacy demand is rising as workers use AI faster than employers train them.
  • JFF can distribute through HP, Hello Alice, and local workforce agencies.
  • Its apprenticeship and career-navigation programs address adjacent retention and mobility needs.

What critics are saying

  • Six-month free access creates a sharp adoption cliff when pricing begins.
  • Employer acceptance of Readocracy portfolios remains unproven in hiring decisions.
  • Vendor-backed competitors and public workforce providers can commoditize JFF's training content.

What makes Jobs for the Future unique

  • JFF targets workers facing barriers to economic advancement, not only credentialed learners.
  • Thinking Through AI turns everyday media consumption into verifiable AI-ready portfolios.
  • JFF combines research, distribution partners, and practitioner training across workforce systems.

Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?

Funding

Total Funding

$36.9M

Above

Industry Average

Funded Over

5 Rounds

Grant funding comparison data is currently unavailable. We're working to provide this information soon!
Grant Funding Comparison
Coming Soon

Benefits

Remote Work Options

Flexible Work Hours

Home Office Stipend

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Paid Vacation

Paid Holidays

401(k) Retirement Plan

401(k) Company Match

Wellness Program

Mental Health Support

Conference Attendance Budget

Professional Development Budget

Stock Options

Company Equity

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

-7%

1 year growth

-7%

2 year growth

-7%
Jobs for the Future
Mar 19th, 2026
Jobs for the Future, HP, and Readocracy launch new app to expand access to AI literacy for the Future of Work.

Jobs for the Future, HP, and Readocracy launch new app to expand access to AI literacy for the Future of Work. The new Thinking Through AI app, developed by Readocracy in collaboration with Jobs for the Future and HP, builds AI literacy through practical, self-paced learning. BOSTON, MA - March 19, 2026 - Jobs for the Future (JFF), a national nonprofit that transforms U.S. education and workforce systems, is collaborating with HP Inc. to expand access to AI literacy, particularly among people facing barriers to economic advancement who lack access to the technology, skills, and economic opportunities needed to participate and thrive in an increasingly digital world. Together with learning technology company Readocracy, JFF and HP are launching Thinking Through AI (TTAI), a new app designed to make AI learning simple, flexible, and available to people seeking alternatives to traditional training programs. As AI rapidly reshapes the world of work, access to the skills needed to use it effectively remains uneven. JFF survey data shows that while 66% of workers say AI is already affecting their jobs, only one-third report having the training and resources to use AI at work - a gap that is even wider for workers without four-year degrees and women, even those who have a four-year degree. These disparities risk deepening as AI adoption accelerates. At the same time, HP's Work Relationship Index highlights what's possible when businesses invest: organizations that embed AI into everyday work are seeing tangible benefits, with 42% of workers who report a healthy relationship with work using employer-provided AI tools daily - underscoring how AI literacy is becoming a cornerstone of the future of work. "At JFF, we believe that AI should make us all better off. Thinking Through AI is a model for scaling practical AI literacy nationwide," said Ben Pring, Vice President of JFF's Center for Artificial Intelligence & the Future of Work. "By partnering with HP and Readocracy, we are working to ensure that populations with the least access to new technologies gain the skills and confidence they need to harness AI for growth." The app uses Readocracy's patent-pending technology to recognize everyday learning through articles, podcasts, and videos, then translates that activity into a shareable, credible portfolio that demonstrates AI-ready skills. Its curriculum draws on insights from more than 500 AI experts, and courses from HP LIFE, the HP Foundation's free business and digital skills training program, giving users a strong foundation and practical applications they can use right away. Learners can also earn more than a dozen credentials, from AI fundamentals to tool-specific programs. "AI has the power to transform lives - but only if people can engage with it thoughtfully. TTAI gives anyone a path to true AI fluency: critical thinking over quick tricks, the ability to keep up effortlessly, and results employers respect," says Mario Vasilescu, CEO of Readocracy. "With this app, real mastery is accessible to everyone. We're proud to partner with JFF and HP to bring this to the people who need it most." By pairing JFF's expertise in workforce transformation and Readocracy's innovative approach to learning with HP's commitment to accelerating the future of work, the TTAI app offers a scalable model for building AI literacy globally. "The future of work is already here, and preparing people to thrive in an AI-driven era is critical to unlock economic opportunity," said George Brasher, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, North America Market at HP. "Through our collaboration with Jobs for the Future and the launch of the Thinking Through AI app, we're helping people build skills that matter for the jobs of today and tomorrow." To help bring Thinking Through AI to more individuals and entrepreneurs around the globe, JFF is teaming up with partners like Hello Alice, a leading small business support platform. "At Hello Alice, we're committed to meeting business owners where they are, powering growth, and championing AI tools built for small businesses. Thinking Through AI is a great new AI tool that offers accessible, practical learning that fits into a founder's busy day," said Elizabeth Gore, Co-Founder and President of Hello Alice. "Our community of small business owners is consistently searching for ways to integrate more AI tools into their growth strategies, so we're thrilled to bring this new tool to our small business owners as we continue to develop more AI resources and tools for everyone." By combining product innovation, targeted investment, and trusted distribution partners, JFF and HP are creating new pathways for individuals to build the confidence and skills they need to thrive in the future of work. Organizations interested in offering this AI literacy resource to their constituents are invited to apply for access to the Thinking Through AI app, free for six months to those who sign up before June 30. About Jobs for the Future Jobs for the Future (JFF) transforms U.S. education and workforce systems to drive economic success for people, businesses, and communities. jff.org HP Inc. (NYSE:HPQ) is a global technology leader redefining the Future of Work. Operating in more than 180 countries, HP delivers innovative and AI-powered devices, software, services and subscriptions that drive business growth and professional fulfillment. For more information, please visit: HP.com. About Readocracy Readocracy democratizes how knowledge can be measured and verified in an AI world. Their privacy-first, patent-pending technology transforms media and AI literacy, solves AI cheating concerns, and makes how we inform ourselves finally matter. Readocracy.com

Global Payroll Association
Oct 28th, 2025
[US] Majority of workers say their jobs fail 'quality' test

[US] majority of workers say their jobs fail 'quality' test. In the US, new research has revealed the high number of people who are employed but not thriving. With 60 per cent of respondents saying that their jobs fall short of what researchers define as "quality employment," and lack essentials such as fair pay and pathways for growth, HR Grapevine reports. Advocacy group Jobs for the Future (JFF) partnered with Gallup, the Families & Workers Fund, and the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research to measure how workers experience their jobs. JFF reportedly contends that traditional government statistics, with a primary focus on wages and employment rates, fail to capture the true health of the labour market. "We recognise that not only has the way we measure the economy not kept up with the way work and the economy is changing, but it has never been sufficient," Molly Blankenship - director of solutions design and delivery at JFF - said. "The workforce is the engine of economic prosperity in the US, and this gives us a better look under the hood." JFF see a quality job meeting five key criteria: fair and stable pay, a safe and inclusive workplace, opportunities for growth, a sense of voice and agency, and a predictable structure. Under this criterion, only 40 per cent of the more than 18,000 workers surveyed stated that they hold quality jobs. The remaining 60 per cent reported significant gaps in stability, pay, or development opportunities. Around 62 per cent of respondents said their work schedules are unpredictable, while roughly one-third reported struggling financially. Only 27 per cent said their pay allows them to feel financially comfortable, while nearly 3 in 10 described themselves as "just getting by" or "finding it difficult to get by." Pay wasn't the only area of concern. JFF found that employees also prioritise respect, safety, and chances for advancement, with about one in four workers saying their jobs offer no promotion or development opportunities. Ms Blankenship reportedly said that these results reflect long-standing structural issues in the economy. "We suspected when we started this work that the majority of Americans were not in jobs that were helping them," she added. "This data confirms what we suspected." The research echoes increasing evidence that suggests job quality, rather than quantity, continues to be a critical measure of workforce health and organisational performance.

Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County
Oct 16th, 2025
WDC Partners with Jobs for the Future to Advance Youth Career Navigation

WDC partners with Jobs for the Future to advance youth career navigation. The Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County (WDC) is proud to announce a new partnership with Jobs for the Future (JFF), made possible through funding from the Schultz Family Foundation. This collaboration represents an exciting opportunity to shape the future of youth career exploration in King County - ensuring young people have access to the tools, guidance, and support they need to thrive. Through this partnership, WDC will beta test a new digital career pathways tool designed to give youth a single platform to explore diverse career options. Feedback gathered during the testing process will guide how WDC integrates the tool into the WorkSource system and partner organizations, ensuring it meets the real needs of local young people and practitioners. In addition to piloting this new tool, the $30,000 grant will help expand WDC's Workforce Practitioner Academy (WPA) into the youth workforce space. The WPA provides free professional development, coaching, and nationally recognized certifications for frontline staff who guide job seekers through career pathways. Extending this training to youth practitioners will strengthen regional capacity, ensuring more consistent, equitable, and human-centered career navigation services for young adults. "This partnership builds on our ongoing work to make career navigation more accessible, data-informed, and person-centered," said Marisol Tapia Hopper, Director of Strategic Partnerships and Funding. "By engaging youth directly in testing and design, we're helping shape a tool - and a system - that reflects their voices and experiences." The WDC's Sheena Clarke, Youth Project Manager, will lead project implementation, working closely with partners including ACE Academy, Puget Sound Educational Service District, and Community Passage Ways. Together, these efforts will enhance how local workforce practitioners connect youth to quality, in-demand jobs and strengthen the long-term career ecosystem in King County. This initiative aligns with WDC's mission to catalyze system change and create equitable pathways to prosperity for workers, employers, and communities throughout the Puget Sound region.

Jobs for the Future
Jul 23rd, 2025
JFF Unveils Updated Work-Based Learning Framework: From Theory to Action

JFF unveils updated Work-Based Learning Framework: from theory to action.

Trinity University
Jun 16th, 2025
Trinity University Announces New Trustee and Vice Chair

She also partnered with Jobs for the Future, a national education nonprofit, to mobilize business leaders to develop talent management practices that promote equitable economic advancement for all employees.

Recently Posted Jobs

Sign up to get curated job recommendations

There are no jobs for Jobs for the Future right now.

Find jobs on Simplify and start your career today

We update Jobs for the Future's jobs every few hours, so check again soon! Browse all jobs →