Networked Pathways to Economic Mobility: Tackling Opportunity Gaps by Investing in Networks, Not Just Skills

In recent years, a focus on chronic "skills gaps" has spurred investment, innovation, and policy change nationwide. But to drive economic mobility, innovators need to attend to another, more hidden gap: the network gap. Access to networks is a key ingredient to getting by and getting ahead and should be part of the design and measurement of any program aimed at boosting outcomes for historically marginalized learners and workers. In this session, participants will learn about the Clayton Christensen Institute's new playbook distilling 5 steps to building and strengthening students' networks and hear directly from innovators that are leading the way in ensuring that students have access to the networks they need to get the jobs they want. Participants will learn what it takes to build a systematic approach to equitably fostering positive and diverse relationships across their organizations.