JPEF Joins National Accelerator Focused on Youth Skills and Employment

The Jacksonville Public Education Fund is proud to join nonprofit organizations from across the country as part of the 2026 Youth Skills and Employment Accelerator, an initiative led by the Global Business Coalition for Education to help shape stronger pathways from learning to employment. JPEF is one of 15 nonprofits selected for this year’s cohort, which brings together youth-serving organizations and business leaders to address a growing national challenge: one in five young Americans is currently out of school or work, even as employers face persistent skills gaps and the demands of an evolving workforce. As artificial intelligence and other economic shifts continue to reshape the labor market, this accelerator creates an important opportunity to strengthen how communities prepare young people for long-term success.

Through the accelerator, JPEF will join peers and business leaders, including Dell Technologies and Stellantis, in a three-day Leadership Lab in New York City focused on workforce challenges, practical solutions, and collaboration across sectors. The program also includes ongoing coaching, learning opportunities, industry event support, and access to tools and resources designed to help participating organizations expand their impact. For JPEF, this opportunity aligns closely with our commitment to connecting education, community, and career pathways so more young people in Jacksonville are prepared for the future of work. Read the full announcement in the Global Business Coalition for Education’s online press release.