{"id":282444,"date":"2026-03-09T10:00:25","date_gmt":"2026-03-09T14:00:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ncrc.org\/?p=282444"},"modified":"2026-03-03T10:38:24","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T15:38:24","slug":"economic-mobility-on-the-ground-how-anchor-institutions-invest-in-workforce-development","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ncrc.org\/economic-mobility-on-the-ground-how-anchor-institutions-invest-in-workforce-development\/","title":{"rendered":"Economic Mobility on the Ground: How Anchor Institutions Invest in Workforce Development"},"content":{"rendered":"

Anchor institutions are essential to driving economic mobility outcomes forward.\u00a0These institutions \u2013 universities,\u00a0hospitals\u00a0and other large, place-based employers \u2013 are uniquely positioned to do just that. Unlike companies that may\u00a0relocate\u00a0or downsize, anchor\u00a0institutions\u00a0remain\u00a0rooted in their neighborhoods, employing thousands,\u00a0purchasing\u00a0billions\u00a0of\u00a0goods and\u00a0services\u00a0and\u00a0controlling\u00a0numerous\u00a0public spaces.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This combination of stability and scale allows them to deploy workforce investments strategically, creating tangible pathways for low- and moderate-income (LMI) residents to access well-paying jobs,\u00a0vocational\u00a0training\u00a0and entrepreneurial opportunities.\u00a0Across the US,\u00a0multiple\u00a0anchor institutions have launched programs that combine workforce training, community\u00a0engagement\u00a0and economic development.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Their efforts show that when anchors intentionally design workforce investments, the impact can ripple far beyond individual hires. This\u00a0strengthens\u00a0the local\u00a0economy\u00a0and\u00a0builds\u00a0long-term mobility.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Brown University: Anchoring Career Pathways in Rhode Island<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

In 2026, Brown University committed $50 million over ten years to workforce development in Rhode Island, exemplifying how universities can act as engines for community economic mobility\u00a0at a local level. As part of this initiative,\u00a0<\/span>Brown awarded two anchor grants totaling $3 million<\/span><\/a>. The first\u00a0grant\u00a0supports the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) in launching a certificate program for early childhood education\u00a0by\u00a0offering scholarships and wraparound services for low-income,\u00a0first-generation\u00a0and multilingual students. These supports include mentoring, tutoring, transportation\u00a0assistance\u00a0and flexible\u00a0class\u00a0scheduling.\u00a0The\u00a0services are\u00a0designed to ensure that participants not only complete\u00a0their\u00a0training but successfully enter the workforce.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The second grant went to\u00a0Building Futures, a nonprofit scaling registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs across high-demand sectors,\u00a0including\u00a0the\u00a0healthcare, IT,\u00a0construction\u00a0and manufacturing\u00a0industries. With incentives for employers and targeted support for populations like returning citizens, Building Futures aims to place more than 250 participants into career pathways over the next three years.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Brown\u2019s model illustrates how anchor grants can serve dual purposes: building workforce pipelines in critical industries while embedding equity into program design. By aligning financial support, training\u00a0and employer engagement\u00a0outcomes, universities can translate their economic\u00a0clout\u00a0into lasting mobility opportunities\u00a0in their local communities.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals: Health Systems Driving Local Employment<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Hospitals are another powerful type of anchor institution. In Cleveland, both\u00a0the\u00a0Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals have\u00a0leveraged\u00a0their size and stability to\u00a0<\/span>implement workforce development initiatives with a strong local focus<\/span><\/a>. These programs target LMI populations through career ladder initiatives, certified training\u00a0programs\u00a0and pre-apprenticeship opportunities in healthcare and allied industries.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Beyond direct training and hiring, these hospitals incorporate workforce development into broader economic strategies, such as supplier diversity and procurement from minority-owned businesses. This integrated approach ensures that workforce gains are reinforced by opportunities in local business development, creating multiple pathways for residents to build income and assets. These hospitals\u00a0demonstrate\u00a0that anchor institutions can align internal employment, supplier\u00a0strategies\u00a0and community partnerships to create comprehensive, scalable economic mobility frameworks.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

West Side United: Collaboration Across Anchors<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Some communities are taking the anchor institution approach\u00a0even\u00a0further by creating multi-institution collaboratives. In Chicago,\u00a0<\/span>West Side United<\/span><\/a>\u00a0partners\u00a0with several\u00a0hospitals and partner organizations to\u00a0implement\u00a0coordinated workforce development programs in historically disinvested neighborhoods. The collaborative works with\u00a0local residents\u00a0to provide training,\u00a0apprenticeships\u00a0and placement into healthcare and related sectors, with a focus on measurable outcomes and\u00a0equitable\u00a0access.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

West Side United illustrates the potential of collaboration among anchors\u00a0when they\u00a0pool\u00a0their resources, share\u00a0best practices\u00a0and align\u00a0their\u00a0workforce investments\u00a0for scale\u00a0and impact.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Lessons for Economic Mobility<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Anchor institution workforce initiatives across sectors and regions\u00a0demonstrate\u00a0how place-based investment can translate institutional presence into measurable community outcomes.\u00a0These examples highlight several key principles for effective anchor-driven workforce development:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Intentionality matters.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0Programs that explicitly target LMI populations and embed equity considerations achieve more\u00a0impactful\u00a0results than those designed solely to fill workforce gaps.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Wraparound supports\u00a0improve\u00a0outcomes.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0Mentoring, transportation\u00a0assistance, flexible\u00a0schedules\u00a0and targeted financial support help participants complete training and secure employment.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Integration amplifies impact.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0Linking workforce programs to procurement, small business development\u00a0and sector partnerships multiplies benefits across communities.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Collaboration enhances\u00a0scale.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0Multi-anchor efforts\u00a0demonstrate\u00a0that coordinated approaches reach more residents, diversify\u00a0opportunities\u00a0and create replicable models for other regions.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    By investing strategically in workforce development, anchor institutions are creating pathways that connect training,\u00a0employment\u00a0and economic\u00a0opportunities\u00a0for those who need it\u00a0the\u00a0most. These programs show that meaningful economic mobility is built not through isolated efforts, but through coordinated action, intentional\u00a0design\u00a0and long-term commitment to the\u00a0communities\u00a0that\u00a0anchor\u00a0institutions\u00a0call home.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    \u00a0Doug Mollett is the Economic Mobility Manager for NCRC’s Economic Mobility team.<\/em><\/p>\n

    Anchor institutions are essential to driving economic mobility outcomes forward.\u00a0These institutions \u2013 universities,\u00a0hospitals\u00a0and other large, place-based employers \u2013 are uniquely positioned to do just that. Unlike companies that may\u00a0relocate\u00a0or downsize, anchor\u00a0institutions\u00a0remain\u00a0rooted in their neighborhoods, employing thousands,\u00a0purchasing\u00a0billions\u00a0of\u00a0goods and\u00a0services\u00a0and\u00a0controlling\u00a0numerous\u00a0public spaces.\u00a0\u00a0 This combination of stability and scale allows them to deploy workforce investments strategically, creating tangible pathways for 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Mollett","author_link":"https:\/\/ncrc.org\/?s=doug+mollett"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Anchor institutions are essential to driving economic mobility outcomes forward.\u00a0These institutions \u2013 universities,\u00a0hospitals\u00a0and other large, place-based employers \u2013 are uniquely positioned to do just that. Unlike companies that may\u00a0relocate\u00a0or downsize, anchor\u00a0institutions\u00a0remain\u00a0rooted in their neighborhoods, employing thousands,\u00a0purchasing\u00a0billions\u00a0of\u00a0goods and\u00a0services\u00a0and\u00a0controlling\u00a0numerous\u00a0public spaces.\u00a0\u00a0 This combination of stability and scale allows them to deploy workforce investments strategically, creating tangible pathways for…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ncrc.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/282444","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ncrc.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ncrc.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ncrc.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4019"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ncrc.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=282444"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/ncrc.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/282444\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ncrc.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/282445"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ncrc.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=282444"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ncrc.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=282444"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ncrc.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=282444"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}

    Photo credit: Jay Brand via Pexels.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"