Our Insights
Insights from Second Mountain Strategies on redesigning workforce systems, strengthening rural economic mobility, and building cross-sector solutions. If you are a foundation, state economic development leader or nonprofit working to build rural opportunity systems and you want a strategy partner – let’s talk.
Workforce Pell is a Win — But Rural States Risk Losing Out
Published August 20, 2025
Workforce Pell opens the door to federal aid for short-term training—but rural students are at risk of being sidelined.
The new program could expand opportunity in fields like health care, manufacturing, and clean energy. But in rural areas, strict ROI rules—intended to protect students and taxpayers—could actually sever the very training pipelines they’re meant to strengthen, writes Katherine Ash in an opinion piece for Work Shift.
Skilled trade jobs are in high demand. Vermont can seize the moment.
Published November 21, 2022
Vermont stands at a unique inflection point: with a nationwide shortage of skilled tradespeople and billions flowing in from federal infrastructure initiatives, the state has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to align workforce development with capital investment.
In this piece for VTDigger, Katherine proposes strategic steps — like building industry coalitions, strengthening data systems, expanding apprenticeship models, and reshaping public perceptions of trade careers — to ensure Vermont not only riders this wave but grows a resilient, equitable trades workforce.
Governors Implement: Broadband, Workforce Innovation And Digital Equity
Published June 15, 2022
Katherine Ash and Rachael Stephens Parker highlight emerging best practices by state workforce and broadband leaders working to advance broadband access and digital skills in America’s workforce.
Authorized under the newly authorized under the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA), the National Governors Association Workforce Innovation Network hosted states to maximize broadband deployment, including mapping access needs and addressing workforce shortages, advance digital literacy and digital skills in the workforce.
Getting America Back to Work
Published May 19, 2020
America faces a defining workforce challenge: as the nation emerges from the upheaval of COVID-19, states must simultaneously rebuild their economies and prepare workers for an era of accelerating automation.
In this University of Vermont News feature, Katherine Ash reflects on her experience in Vermont’s post-Irene recovery and her work with the National Governors Association, outlining how states can strengthen information systems, foster cross-sector collaboration, and design workforce strategies that center resilience and equity — ensuring the country not only returns to work, but builds a more adaptive and inclusive economy for the future.
