Power of networking helps bridge the youth skills gap

Nonprofit organizations taking part in the 2025 Youth Skills and Employment Accelerator were energized and inspired when they attended a major event that offered a unique and powerful opportunity for in-person connection, knowledge sharing, and professional growth.

Thanks to the support of Dell Technologies, Deloitte, and Stellantis, participants in the Global Business Coalition for Education’s Accelerator joined 2,000 workforce innovators, nonprofit leaders, educators, employers, and policymakers at the Horizons: Dare to Be Brave – Jobs for the Future (JFF) 2025 summit in New Orleans in June.

The Accelerator is a network in the U.S. of youth-serving nonprofits focused on skills development and employment – equipping them with the tools and support they need to make a real difference in the lives of young people from underserved communities.

Fifteen exceptional nonprofits were selected to join the 2025 Youth Skills and Employment Accelerator – and participants from six of those organizations attended the event, also known as the JFF Horizons summit. They were AZ Cyber Initiative, BridgeYear, Dent Education, LA Conservation Corps, L!FE Leaders, and New Door Ventures.

An in-person networking and learning opportunity

Although the cohort meets virtually on a monthly basis as part of the Accelerator program, gathering together in person in New Orleans added an entirely new dimension to their collaboration.

The ability to connect face-to-face, engage deeply with peers, and build trust and camaraderie elevated the experience in meaningful ways. Coupled with the presence of leading industry experts, thought-provoking discussions, and a wealth of networking opportunities, the event was described by participants as truly remarkable.

Everyone expressed sincere appreciation to the Global Business Coalition for Education and the Accelerator’s generous supporters – Dell Technologies, Deloitte, and Stellantis – for making this opportunity possible. The Accelerator’s industry event stipends enabled nonprofit leaders to participate in a national conference that not only expanded their professional horizons but also reinforced the urgency and value of their shared mission to close the youth skills and employment gap.

A highlight for the group was the introduction and networking opportunity between the Accelerator participants and JFF’s Young Adult Talent Development Network. These informal exchanges between like-minded organizations planted the seeds for future partnerships and reinforced the importance of cross-network relationship-building in strengthening the youth-serving nonprofits and employment ecosystems.

A pre-conference site visit

Another important highlight of the experience was a pre-conference visit to Uncommon Construction – a workforce development nonprofit that equips young people with real-world job skills and experiences in the construction industry. Accelerator participants were invited to join the pre-conference site visit, where they met staff and students, toured an active construction site, and learned about the organization’s curriculum, impact, and innovative model.

The visit included an engaging presentation by the young people, a Q&A session, and a networking reception, all of which were appreciated by the Accelerator participants. The opportunity to see a local workforce development program in action and to engage with local youth benefiting from it added a unique human and practical dimension to the themes explored during the conference.

Reflections and key takeaways

Accelerator participants described the conference experience as energizing, inspiring, and encouraging, offering new ideas and partnerships that will continue to influence their work well beyond the event.

All attendees expressed deep gratitude for the chance to attend JFF Horizons with support from the Global Business Coalition for Education. They noted that the experience offered valuable access to national conversations, a strong professional network, and meaningful opportunities for personal and organizational growth.

Ryan Fleury of LA Conservation Corps said: “As someone still relatively new to the Corps, it was incredibly valuable to be surrounded by like-minded people and organizations. The entire conference focused on workforce development issues – barriers young people face, pathways to economic opportunity, and the impact of technology like AI.”

Geraldine Denasty of BridgeYear emphasized the importance of preparing young people for a rapidly-evolving workforce, adding: “AI is no longer a futuristic concept – it’s actively reshaping industries, job functions, and the very definition of work. As an organization focused on workforce readiness, it’s clear we need to thoughtfully assess how AI intersects with our mission, programming, and day-to-day operations.”

Many participants also appreciated the conference’s commitment to elevating the voices and lived experiences of young people.

Avery Suber of BridgeYear said: “I was especially encouraged by the emphasis on student voice and the perspectives of new-to-workforce individuals who are actively shaping the future of work. It was powerful to see so many sessions centered around listening to and learning from those with lived experience.”

Ally Thurman of New Door Ventures reflected on the importance of strong connections among peers: “We shared ideas and insights as well as connected about our shared challenges. The session on social capital reminded us that it’s not just what you know, but who you know, that opens opportunities.”

Themes that resonated with the Accelerator group

Several key themes emerged from the reports of the participants:

• Networking, knowledge sharing, and mutual support for each other’s work among individuals working in the youth-skills industry, facing similar challenges, are key to sustainable success.
• The future of work is being shaped by artificial intelligence, automation, and skill-based hiring– requiring urgent shifts in programming and pedagogy.
• Public-private partnerships and employer-led innovation are essential for building inclusive career pathways.
• Equitable access to credentials, networks, and social capital remains a critical factor in youth success.
• Cross-sector collaboration is essential to dismantling structural barriers and creating scalable solutions.

Maria Cortez of LA Conservation Corps summed it up: “The JFF Horizons summit reaffirmed that collaboration between educators, employers, and policymakers is essential to designing equitable pathways to economic advancement.”

Ultimately, participation in conferences like this event is more than a professional development opportunity – these are crucial moments of connection, learning, and much-needed momentum for nonprofit leaders working to close the youth skills gap. After such events, participants return to their communities with new ideas, stronger networks, and renewed commitment to building a future where all young people can succeed in work and life.

Learn more about the Accelerator