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.
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
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.
Interested in becoming a partner or supporting our work?
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.
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.
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
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.
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