For more than two decades, high-growth industries across the United States shared a similar workforce strategy: upskill workers to be at the forefront of digital innovation. More recently, the rapid expansion of AI is forcing companies to rethink the nuances of that strategy.

STRIVE recognizes it is no coincidence that trades are experiencing a resurgence in demand and popularity among these same employers and workers. While workforce strategies change, the need for hands-on skills, real-time problem solving, in-person judgment and empathy will not. Investing in people is critical to building resilient companies and workforces.

STRIVE has prepared job seekers, employers and its own organization to stay ahead of significant shifts, such as AI expansion, through practical solutions for workforce development for more than 40 years. More than 90,000 STRIVE alumni, many of whom are impacted by the justice system, have graduated from training programs that teach occupational skills and career readiness and provide industry-recognized credentials – demonstrating true resilience against the systemic barriers to employment and a rapidly changing economic environment.

STRIVE’s Powering Progress explores these timely topics, and the upcoming virtual event – Resilience as a Workforce Strategy: Our 2026 Summit – on October 21, from 12-1:30 pm ET, will feature distinguished national workforce experts, corporate and philanthropic leaders, STRIVE alumni and investors and employers who are demonstrating resilience and leading in navigating the shifting workforce landscape.