Who We Are
The Institute for a Competitive Workforce (ICW) is the education and workforce nonprofit, nonpartisan, 501(c)3 affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. ICW promotes the rigorous educational standards and effective job training systems needed to preserve the strength of America's greatest economic resource, its workforce.
Through its events, publications, and policy initiatives—and drawing upon the Chamber's extensive network of members—ICW connects the best minds in American business with the most innovative thinkers in American education, helping them work together to ensure the nation's continued prosperity.
ICW develops and promotes
- Public-Private Partnerships that focus on the resources, reach, visibility, and leverage to accomplish its mission.
- A Network, The Business Education Network (BEN) aims to lead a movement of businesses of all sizes and sectors dedicated to addressing the educational needs of the nation with a unified voice and coordinated actions. The goal of BEN is to impact education in the United States by profiling successful education initiatives and programs of the business and education community. BEN provides insight, visibility, and connections by bringing business leaders together who are working to improve student achievement in their communities.
- Research on education and training issues, trends, and best practices.
- Solutions to the education and workforce challenges facing businesses by working with policymakers, educators, the media, and the general public.
Watch U.S. Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Tom Donohue describe the Chamber's education and workforce priorities at the 2011 State of American Business.
Leaders and Laggards »
A state-by-state report card reflecting the performance of the 50 states & DC on their K-12 education.
Events »
A Smarter America = A Safer America
June 14, 2012 to June 14, 2012
The United States' failure to educate its students leaves them unprepared to compete and threatens the country's ability to thrive in a global economy and maintain its leadership role, finds the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) report, U.S. Education Reform and National Security. This event will link the business community and their commitment to improving the education system with the global security issues that have been identified.
Leaders and Laggards: A State-by-State Report Card on Public Postsecondary Education
June 19, 2012 to June 19, 2012
ICW will be releasing Leaders and Laggards: A State-by-State Report Card on Public Postsecondary Education at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.