Today's Problem & Our Solution

Today’s WOrkforce Problem

There are significant barriers to education, housing and wealth that are affecting families in our communities and around the world. Feeling unwelcome and not included in a system can create frustration, depression, anxiety and anger. This can also affect relationships, health and social emotional well-being and can trickle down to generations. This cycle of generational trauma can continue to impact health, education, and economics, primarily in inner-city and rural communities across the nation.

Students from low-income communities face enormous systemic barriers to complete high school, as well as attend and complete college. As a result, there is a consistent college degree divide that perpetuates this cycle. In a time when post-secondary credentials are essential to access economic opportunity, the degree divide is growing. And the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic widened the gap. Higher Ed reported that the pandemic accelerated and worsened gaps in higher education and its connection to work. Our underserved communities were hit more than other communities.

At the same time, studies like Georgetown University’s 2020 Job Recovery Report have indicated there are over 5 million jobs that continually go unfilled. America’s education system has not produced enough skilled and/or trained workers to secure these jobs.
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In addition, there are over 31 million baby boomers that are retiring and aging out of the workforce, creating 24 million new jobs. Jobs will continue to increase, especially in healthcare, technology, and social services. Most of these positions will require at least some college or a college degree.
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With just 22% of students in low-income communities graduating from college, it’s clear that a college degree impacts earning potential and access to life opportunities. There is a growing talent gap in our country that needs to be addressed. In an important call to action, we can help to fuel a growing workforce with leadership and people from all backgrounds and experiences to fill this critical need.

31 million baby boomers are retiring and aging out, 24 million are newly created jobs, many centered around technology.

The NCRF Solution

NCRF has created programs and initiatives to provide guidance, resources, information and pipelines to empower students toward positive post-secondary pursuits, and particularly in job growth areas, such as STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art/Agriculture/Aviation/Aerospace and Math), Healthcare and Community Services. To support these initiatives, NCRF has developed programs like The Movement Enrichment Program (TMEP); Students Think STEAM; Internship & Careers, and College Expos to help close the gap in academic achievement, workforce, and economic disparities.

The Movement Enrichment Program

Intervention, mentoring, tutoring, college and career planning, student athlete assistance, and internship & career guidance.

S.T.E.A.M Program

Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts + Agriculture + Aviation + Aerospace, & Mathematics

internships & Careers

Helping students, college students and college grads connect to jobs, internships and careers.