Everything I'd send you, in one place

nul.org

Free

National Urban League

The civil rights and economic empowerment organization behind a network of local affiliates that run free job training, financial coaching, small-business support and reentry employment programs in cities across the US. The national site is the way to find the affiliate nearest you and see what it currently offers.

Why I recommend it: Programs are delivered by the local affiliate, not by the national office, so what is available depends entirely on your city. Find your affiliate first and ask them directly what is running and who is eligible — the national pages describe the mission, not the current schedule.

nul.orgAdded Sep 22, 20260 opens

nawdp.org

Free

NAWDP Resources Hub

The resource hub of the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals: toolkits, training opportunities, webinars and certification information for people who work in workforce development, employment services and career coaching.

Why I recommend it: This is for practitioners rather than job seekers — useful if you coach, run programs or work in an employment services agency. The hub pages are open to read, but a number of the toolkits, recordings and the certification track sit behind membership, so expect a login wall part-way in. Ask them what membership costs before you commit.

nawdp.orgAdded Sep 22, 20260 opens

EdTech Innovation Hub

Free

EdTech Innovation Hub

News and analysis on education technology, workforce development and AI in learning.

From the site: EdTech Innovation Hub delivers cutting-edge news, analysis, and insights on AI, workforce development, and EdTech for schools, colleges, universities, and professionals. Explore the latest in e-learning, digital tools, and trends shaping education, workforce training, and professional growth worldwi

Why I recommend it: A useful beat if you work in training or are moving into it — it covers the buying side of learning tools, which is where the jobs are.

EdTech Innovation HubAdded Sep 17, 20260 opens

progressivepolicy.org

Free

Progressive Policy Institute

Washington, D.C. think tank publishing free research and policy briefs on jobs, apprenticeships, career pathways for non-college workers, trade, AI and the economy — all readable without a subscription.

Why I recommend it: Useful when you want numbers rather than opinions about where jobs and training money are actually going. Their work on apprenticeships and career pathways for people without a degree is the part I send clients most.

progressivepolicy.orgAdded Sep 16, 20260 opens

edworkingpapers.com

Free

EdWorkingPapers: Open Education Research

Free open-access working-paper series from the Annenberg Institute at Brown University with Stanford's SCALE Initiative — early education research with strong policy implications, downloadable before journal publication.

Why I recommend it: If you work in education or workforce programs, citing a current working paper makes a proposal much harder to dismiss.

edworkingpapers.comAdded Sep 16, 20260 opens

nationalacademies.org

Free

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

Free, authoritative consensus reports and workshop proceedings on science, technology, health, education and the workforce — most titles readable online at no cost.

Why I recommend it: When you need a source no one can argue with, start here instead of a news summary.

nationalacademies.orgAdded Sep 16, 20260 opens

strada.org

Free

Principles for Quality Education-to-Career Guidance

Strada Education Foundation's five principles for career guidance that actually leads to good jobs: centered on outcomes, driven by student agency, foundational and universal, rooted in relationships, and informed by data. Free download, endorsed by dozens of national education and workforce organizations.

Why I recommend it: If you advise students or run a program, these five principles are the cleanest checklist for whether your coaching is working.

strada.orgAdded Sep 16, 20260 opens

jff.org

Free

Apprenticeships Unlocked

A national initiative led by Jobs for the Future (JFF) with Google.org support that helps employers design, launch and scale high-quality Registered Apprenticeship programs across any sector or occupation.

Why I recommend it: Valuable if you are exploring apprenticeship as a pathway into a new field or want to see how employers build paid, learn-while-you-earn programs.

jff.orgAdded Sep 15, 20260 opens

jobforward.org

Free

JobForward

Workforce development, apprenticeship, and funding resources. Formed from the merger of the Institute for American Apprenticeships and Training Funding Partners.

Why I recommend it: Good starting point if you're exploring apprenticeships or workforce training programs, especially for hands-on or trade-adjacent paths.

jobforward.orgAdded Sep 11, 20260 opens

wpti.org

Free

Workforce Professionals Training Institute

A New York nonprofit that trains the staff of workforce development organizations, with programs, research and practice resources on serving job seekers well.

Why I recommend it: If you work in workforce development, this is professional development for you rather than for your clients. Their practice materials are strong.

wpti.orgAdded Sep 11, 20260 opens

aft.org

Free

AFT: Career and Technical Education resources

The American Federation of Teachers' hub for career and technical education, including program guidance, advocacy, and classroom resources for skilled-trade and technical pathways.

Why I recommend it: A reminder that four-year college is one path among many. Helpful for parents, educators, and career changers looking at trades.

aft.orgAdded Sep 11, 20260 opens

linkedin.com

Free

Janine Vanderburg

Leader in age-inclusive hiring and workforce advocacy, sharing research and practical guidance on ending age discrimination at work.

Why I recommend it: If you are over 50 and job searching, her feed will tell you what is bias and what is fixable in your own materials.

linkedin.comAdded Sep 10, 20260 opens

blackstone.com

Free

Blackstone Career Pathways

A workforce development program from Blackstone that creates career pathways, internships, and training opportunities inside Blackstone portfolio companies, with an emphasis on inclusive hiring and mobility.

Why I recommend it: Blackstone Career Pathways connects people to roles and training inside Blackstone-backed companies. Worth exploring if you want an on-ramp into finance, real estate, or portfolio operations without a traditional degree path.

blackstone.comAdded Sep 9, 20260 opens

lyft.com

Free

Lyft Jobs Access

Free or discounted rides to job interviews, training, and the first weeks of a new job, offered through Lyft partnerships with local nonprofits and workforce agencies.

Why I recommend it: Transportation quietly kills job starts. Ask your local workforce office whether they are a partner — the rides are real and free.

lyft.comAdded Sep 9, 20260 opens

learnworkecosystemlibrary.com

Free

Learn & Work Ecosystem Library

Curated open library mapping the organizations, data systems, and policies connecting education, credentials, and employment.

Why I recommend it: This is the map behind the map: who funds and shapes hiring pipelines. Useful if you work in workforce development or want to.

learnworkecosystemlibrary.comAdded Sep 9, 20260 opens

nyc-business.nyc.gov

Free

First Course NYC for Businesses

City-funded training and recruitment support program that helps NYC employers hire, train, and retain local talent for entry-level and middle-skill roles.

Why I recommend it: A strong local resource for NYC-based entrepreneurs and hiring managers who want subsidized training pipelines rather than guessing at recruitment budgets.

nyc-business.nyc.govAdded Sep 9, 20260 opens

theknowledgehouse.org

Free

The Knowledge House

A Bronx-based nonprofit offering free tech training and career support in web development, data, design, and cybersecurity for underestimated talent in New York, Newark, and Atlanta.

Why I recommend it: I point career changers who cannot afford a bootcamp toward TKH. The program is community-rooted, employer-connected, and focused on economic mobility.

theknowledgehouse.orgAdded Sep 9, 20260 opens

emergecareer.com

Free

Emerge Career

Workforce development provider running all-in-one training programs — including CDL and trades pathways — with job placement support for people re-entering the workforce.

Why I recommend it: Programs that end in a placement, not just a certificate. Ask about the placement rate and who employs their graduates before enrolling.

emergecareer.comAdded Sep 4, 20260 opens

nyc.gov

Free

NYC Racial Equity Plan 2026

New York City's citywide racial equity plan, laying out agency commitments, hiring and contracting goals, and measurable targets for closing economic and employment gaps.

Why I recommend it: Read the workforce and procurement sections. City equity plans often name specific programs and set-asides you can apply to directly.

nyc.govAdded Sep 3, 20260 opens

coopcareers.org

Free

COOP Careers

Nonprofit that helps underemployed first-generation college graduates convert their degrees into careers through peer cohorts, digital skills training, and alumni networks.

Why I recommend it: One of the strongest free programs for grads stuck in jobs that do not use their degree. The cohort model is the real value — you leave with a network, not just a certificate.

coopcareers.orgAdded Sep 2, 20260 opens

linkedin.com

Free

Gerald Chertavian

Founder of Year Up, now Senior Advisor, who built the organization from his own experience with the "opportunity divide."

linkedin.comAdded Sep 2, 20260 opens

ncda.org

Free

Career Development Needs a Voice in Public Policy

NCDA on how government relations connects frontline practitioner experience to policy on education, employment, and workforce access.

Why I recommend it: Details: if you do this work, your day-to-day observations are policy evidence — this explains where to send them.

ncda.orgAdded Sep 2, 20260 opens

mtctrains.com

Free

Management & Training Corporation (MTC)

A private operator of correctional facilities that also provides re-entry support, education, vocational training, and career services for individuals returning to the workforce.

Why I recommend it: Relevant if you are coaching someone with a criminal record or navigating re-entry. MTC facilities often connect residents with education, vocational training, and job placement support.

mtctrains.comAdded Sep 1, 20260 opens

youtube.com

Free

NYC Office of Talent and Workforce Development (YouTube)

Video channel from New York City's talent and workforce agency covering hiring events, training pathways, and city career programs.

Why I recommend it: If you are job hunting in New York City, this is the agency behind many of the free trainings and hiring halls. Watch a few recent videos to learn which programs are actively enrolling.

youtube.comAdded Sep 1, 20260 opens