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Opportunity Coalition

Merit America and America’s Frontier Fund are partnering to drive $2B+ in wage gains over the next 5 years, empowering 20,000 low-income Americans through high-growth careers in frontier technologies.

A photo that includes an entry-level semi conductor.

What is the Opportunity Coalition?

America faces a massive shortfall for skilled technicians in critical technology sectors. By 2031, there will be 2.1 million unfilled jobs in manufacturing alone. These are well-paid jobs in sectors vital to national competitiveness. At the same time, there are 50M+ Americans without college degrees who are stuck in low-wage work, seeking a ladder to economic mobility.

America’s Frontier Fund and Merit America are excited to work with capital partners, regional partners, employer partners, and educational partners to prepare 20,000+ low-income Americans for high-growth careers in the most critical frontier technologies.

America’s Frontier Fund (AFF) is a platform dedicated to harnessing the promise of frontier technologies for a stronger America. Through our 501(c)(3) nonprofit Foundation, AFF is leading a whole-of-nation effort to re-awaken America’s innovation base: we focus on catalyzing new ideas and policies, educating skilled workers, building regional innovation hubs, shaping global partnerships with U.S. allies, and driving alignment between policymakers, founders, scientists, and funders. Learn more about AFF at americasfrontier.com.

Partners in Driving Innovation and Impact

Austin Community College Logo
Ascendium logo
Michael & Susan Logo
Texas Institute of Electronics

Central Texas Semiconductor Pilot

Opportunity Coalition is spearheading a pilot program in Texas to address the acute shortage of skilled semiconductor technicians. This program will train low-income, non-degreed residents through a hybrid program developed with Austin Community College (ACC) and the Texas Institute of Electronics (TIE). The Texas semiconductor program is not just a local initiative; it is a critical first step in the Coalition’s broader mission to upskill and reskill tens of thousands of Americans for high-growth, family-sustaining careers in essential technology sectors across the nation at scale. Starting in Central Texas, expanding throughout Texas, and ultimately scaling to a national footprint. 

With funding support from the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, this program will focus on creating opportunity for young adults and transform outcomes by moving participants from low-wage, insecure employment to stable, well-paying positions vital to the nation’s technological infrastructure. The success of this Texas-based initiative will serve as a blueprint for expanding similar programs nationwide, driving the Opportunity Coalition’s overarching goal of creating $2 billion in wage gains and upskilling 20,000 low-income Americans by 2030.

A young learner completes a cybersecurity analyst program

Interested in becoming a partner or supporting our work?

Capital Partners
Merit America IT Support alumni

Become a Capital Partner

Philanthropic and investment partners will provide the catalytic capital needed to drive $2B+ in wage gains for disadvantaged low-income Americans and local economies nationwide, spurring long-term economic competitiveness by filling critical workforce needs.

Learners can pay for the program with $0 upfront by taking advantage of Ascent Funding’s Zero Percent Loan without any minimum credit score, history requirements, and 0% interest. If learners don’t earn at least $40k within the two years after completing the Immersion phase of the program, they are eligible for a full refund or cancellation of their loan. An analysis by UVA found that, on average, our alums witness a $24,000/year wage increase three or more months after completing our program.

Employer Partners
Merit America alumni and staff smiling together.

Meet Your Talent Demands as an Employer Partner

The Opportunity Coalition will prepare low-wage Americans for roles in frontier technologies, especially those tied to long-term government investment and national competitiveness including advanced manufacturing, clean energy and climate, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. We are particularly excited to build close partnerships with employers who are ready to share feedback on curriculum, make hiring commitments, upskill their existing workforce, and/or sponsor the education of new talent.

Regional Partners
Two Merit America alumni

Grow Your Workforce as a Regional Partner

In order to create the workforce of tomorrow, the Opportunity Coalition is looking to partner with regions that are experiencing growth in frontier technologies. We are interested in collaborating with organizations that serve low-wage populations, are asking questions about building tomorrow’s workforce, or have a need to grow their talent pipeline.


Our Impact

Our Impact

Merit America is on a mission to generate $1 billion of wage gains by 2025, connecting talented learners to in-demand career paths at scale. To date, we have served more than 11,000 individuals across multiple career tracks. An analysis by UVA found that, on average, our alums witness a $24,000/year wage increase three or more months after completing our program. Most importantly, learners move from feeling stuck in a low-wage job to having a career they love, with growth potential for the future.

Frequently Asked Questions
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A women scratches her head while researching how to break into tech.
Two career changers view Merit America's curriculum

Frequently Asked Questions

News & Press

Fortune

These workers stuck in low-wage jobs saw their salaries nearly double in 3 months thanks to this nonprofit.

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The Washington Post

More people without four-year degrees are landing jobs they never would have gotten before the labor market tightened.

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The New York Times

Workers, in Demand, Have a New Demand of Their Own: A Career Path.

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Benefit News

Looking beyond the traditional educational pipeline can benefit employers and employees alike.

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Google News

A digital jobs program to help America’s economic recovery.

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USA Today

Is it possible to avoid student debt? These career, education tracks offer a different path.

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Become A Partner

Looking to partner with us? Complete the form below to get in touch or find out more.