BlackRock Future Builders launches $25 million national RFP to expand America's skilled trades workforce. BlackRock | Jun 01, 2026 Funding will support nonprofits that are connecting workers to skilled trades careers and economic opportunity across the country June 1, 2026 - New York, NY - BlackRock today launched a $25 million nationwide Request for Proposals (RFP) as the next phase of BlackRock Future Builders, its $100 million philanthropic effort to build and strengthen America's skilled trades workforce, reaching 50,000 American workers over the next five years. Through the RFP, over two funding cycles, The BlackRock Foundation will award two-year grants ranging from $500,000 to $1 million per award. As recipients of these grants, local, regional, and national nonprofits will be able to expand programs that provide access to high-quality skilled trades training and career pathways - such as electricians, HVAC technicians, plumbers, and ironworkers - that support critical infrastructure. "Skilled trades are essential to America - these jobs build the infrastructure our economy and communities depend on, and they create pathways for people to build lasting financial security," said Arielle Gurman, Head of Strategy for The BlackRock Foundation and Executive Director of Future Builders. "Demand for skilled workers is rising quickly, yet too many people still face barriers to entering these careers. Through this RFP, Future Builders will support nonprofits across the country that are helping more Americans access economic opportunity." The RFP will be administered by Jobs for the Future (JFF), a national nonprofit with deep expertise in workforce development. In this role, JFF will manage the application process and support a review of proposals. The six-week application window for the first funding cycle will be open from June 1 through July 10, 2026, with grant recipients expected to be announced in the fall. To learn more about eligibility and to apply, visit here. "Jobs for the Future is proud to partner with The BlackRock Foundation on this transformative initiative to expand economic opportunity and help define the future of work for the next generation of America's skilled trades workers," said Maria Flynn, President and CEO of Jobs for the Future. "The Future Builders RFP is a critical opportunity to identify organizations and scale solutions across the country that are connecting more people to quality jobs in the skilled trades. JFF looks forward to bringing our deep expertise in workforce systems to lead a competitive RFP process to support partners that will have the highest, most scalable impact." The RFP builds on the successful launch of Future Builders in Texas last month, where The BlackRock Foundation committed $30 million over three years to strengthen skilled trades pipelines. These grants will help train more than 12,000 Texans for electrical careers, supporting the workforce needed to meet the state's rapid growth. About The BlackRock Foundation Guided by BlackRock's purpose to help more and more people experience financial well-being, The BlackRock Foundation funds and partners with organizations that strengthen financial security by helping people earn, save and invest - earlier, more often and for their futures. About BlackRock. BlackRock's purpose is to help more and more people experience financial well-being. As a fiduciary to investors and a provider of financial technology, Blackrock help millions of people build savings that serve them throughout their lives by making investing easier and more affordable. For additional information on BlackRock, please visit www.blackrock.com/corporate. First Name * Last Name * Location * *Required information | Read its Privacy notice

UNITE-LA today: advancing youth during Apprenticeship Appreciation Week. Posted by Jason Chau on May 13, 2026 As part of California's Apprenticeship Appreciation Week in April, UNITE-LA participated in a series of statewide convenings advancing equitable, career-connected learning and stronger workforce systems for Californians. At the Marriott Irvine Spectrum, UNITE-LA joined advocates, policymakers and workforce leaders for NextGen's Policy Activation Session following WORKCON, an interactive convening focused on expanding access to high-quality apprenticeships and work-based learning opportunities. During the session, UNITE-LA helped elevate AB 805, legislation aimed at strengthening youth apprenticeship pathways for young people, ages 16-24, by supporting regional partnerships, addressing barriers to employer participation and improving systemwide accountability. The bill reflects growing momentum around paid, career-connected learning as a key strategy for advancing economic mobility and workforce development in California. If enacted, AB 805 would help strengthen California's youth apprenticeship infrastructure and expand meaningful career pathways for young people statewide. As California continues investing in workforce innovation, expanding access to paid, work-based learning remains critical to building a more inclusive and effective workforce system. If you or your organization is interested in supporting this effort, UNITE-LA Inc. encourage you to sign on and help move AB 805 forward, advancing meaningful career pathways for youth across California. UNITE-LA also led a session at WORKCON 2026, hosted by the California Workforce Association in partnership with Jobs for the Future (JFF) and the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), focused on how California's workforce systems can better support immigrant workers. The discussion brought together statewide workforce leaders to examine how systems must adapt to shifting labor market conditions, economic pressures and immigration policy changes. Drawing on research and cross-sector expertise, speakers emphasized that immigrant and multilingual workers are essential to California's economic success and that workforce systems must evolve to better recognize, invest in and support their contributions. The conversation also highlighted the importance of stronger coordination across employers, training providers and public agencies, as well as the role of data and storytelling in making worker experiences more visible in policy and practice. Across both convenings, a clear theme emerged: building a more inclusive and effective workforce system requires aligned policy, strong cross-sector partnerships and continued investment in pathways that connect Californians to quality careers. Showing 1 reaction. * Jason Chau published this page in News Room 11 days ago Connect with Twitter

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