Authored by Rachel Hirsch, Vice President, Public Partnerships at Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL)
As of the summer of 2025, much has been made of current and future changes in the labor market due to the growth of Artificial Intelligence (AI), an aging population and workforce, shifts in international trade and more. As cities grapple with how to support their residents and businesses throughout these changes, a discussion around upskilling and reskilling opportunities becomes essential. For example, multiple articles — including from CIO and The New York Times — have recently highlighted how a computer science degree or software coding credential was often viewed as a guaranteed gateway to a high-paying, in-demand job. Now, those graduates can go without work for months, if not years, due to AI displacement. Cities have the opportunity to ensure that quality upskilling and reskilling opportunities are easily accessible for those who are under- or unemployed.
- Upskilling is the process of acquiring new skills within the same career path, such as earning a new coding or software-specific credential within a software development pathway. Upskilling enables individuals to develop new skills that facilitate upward mobility within their chosen career path.
- Reskilling is the process of gaining skills and competencies in a new career path or industry. This may become a necessity or a desire for various reasons, including displacement from a former career or a wish to pursue more engaging or lucrative careers.
Upskilling and reskilling initiatives are necessary for sustained economic growth and for meeting evolving industry needs. For example, many areas of the country are experiencing nursing shortages. Facilitating pathways for individuals to upskill into advanced nursing roles, or to reskill into nursing from under- or unemployed positions, would benefit residents, businesses, clients and public health outcomes. As more workers retire, creating industry vacancies, and with the continued integration of AI into multiple sectors, cities will need to implement policies and initiatives that streamline career advancement and transitions.
Postsecondary education institutions, particularly local community colleges and regional universities, are key partners for successful upskilling and reskilling initiatives. These colleges are often the main locations offering affordable, shorter-term training programs that align with employer needs and facilitate career advancement.
City Strategies to Support Upskilling and Reskilling
Cities can work with postsecondary institutional partners to support upskilling and reskilling by:
- Facilitating partnerships with employers. Employers are necessary partners in any upskilling or reskilling initiative. The more collaborative the relationship, the better aligned the education and training program will be to employer needs, which leads to better outcomes for residents participating in training programs. Cities have a unique role in being able to bring more employers to the table with postsecondary institutions to facilitate those conversations and connections to create stronger, sustainable alignment between education/training and local labor demands.
- Sharing data. Both cities and postsecondary institutions have access to data that may help one another. Developing data sharing agreements can make sure each entity is in the know and able to make informed, strategic decisions with all of the information in front of them.
- Helping spread the word. Mayors can leverage their platforms to amplify opportunities throughout their communities. Cities can work to spread the word through advertising and marketing, speeches and events, local news and other channels about high-quality upskilling and reskilling opportunities offered by local postsecondary institutions and how those pathways connect residents to good jobs and greater economic mobility.
- Collaborating to diversify funding streams. Cities and postsecondary institutions have access to a variety of different funding streams, including federal, state, local, philanthropic and corporate. Strategically analyzing these funding streams and figuring out where funding can be used to complement and fill gaps rather than duplicate efforts can ensure greater sustainability and success for their community.
Upskilling on the Ground: City of Waco, TX (pop. 138,486)
The City of Waco has prioritized workforce development to invest in residents’ economic mobility and as a strategy to drive the region’s economic vitality. The City supports UpSkill Waco, a program operated by Prosper Waco, that connects Wacoans who are unemployed, underemployed and/or young adults ages 18-24 to the training they need for high-demand, good jobs.
UpSkill Waco works with industry leaders, education and training providers and other community-based organizations to continuously track what jobs are in high-demand and to build relevant training opportunities for those careers. From the inception of the program, the City hosted trainings in neighborhood-based community centers, provided bus passes to students and invested ARPA funding to connect workers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic to upskilling and reskilling opportunities.
Most recently, the City partnered with McLennan County to build WorkSITE, a workforce facility that trains residents for careers in advanced manufacturing and related fields. According to UpSkill Waco staff, the program has enabled 163 residents to complete industry-recognized credentials and advance in their careers since 2021, with another 50 students currently enrolled in upskilling and reskilling programs.
Workforce 101
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