EPIC
Employer Provided Innovation Challenges (EPIC) provides access to a national network of employer facing organizations and other challenge providers to deliver high-quality, project-based learning.
The demand for work-based learning opportunities for students is on the rise. Employers, policymakers, educators — are all in search of better ways to connect students to careers, increase awareness of in-demand industries, and equip students with employability skills. While internships have long been the method for providing these opportunities, there simply is not enough capacity to meet the need.
To address this challenge, the U.S. Chamber Foundation is piloting employer sponsored project-based learning as a solution that scales, can be credentialed, and can deliver high impact career awareness and career preparation for learners. EPIC engages high school and postsecondary students with challenges to real-world problems sponsored by business. Â
Expanding Work-Based Learning: Unlocking Employer Value
Virtual Event
Building Experience, Increasing Opportunity
- Creating PathwaysAuthentic problem-based learning is a high-quality form of work-based learning that can better support career awareness, career exploration, and career advancement (i.e., reskilling and upskilling) for learners.
- Solutions at ScaleThis type of work-based learning can be supported at scale through a nationally accredited network of employers and employer facing organizations functioning as host organizations.
- Credentials and EquityEPIC demonstrates that authentic problem-based learning can be credentialed in a trusted and high-quality way, and can be more equitably accessed by learners and those organizations that serve them.
Miami Tech Works EPIC Challenge Delivers Unexpected Rewards
Case Study
Through the EPIC Challenge, Miami students collaborate with tech startups to tackle real-world challenges, sharpen in-demand skills, and launch their careers.
Creating Opportunity Through EPIC
About EPIC
Learn how EPIC is engaging high school and postsecondary students with challenges to real-world problems to not only build opportunity but provide employer value.
How College Students Helped AT&T Tackle Workforce Challenges
Case Study
AT&T partnered with East Stroudsburg University students through the U.S. Chamber Foundation’s EPIC program to find fresh solutions to workforce challenges. The collaboration gave students real consulting experience while providing AT&T with new insights into recruiting and retaining Generation Z employees.
EPIC Clearinghouse Partners
Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundatio
San Diego Workforce Partnership
York County Regional Chamber of Commerce
Boys and Girls Clubs of America
Lenawee Now
The Partnership for Rhode Island
Business-Higher Education Forum
iBio
PA Chamber Foundation
Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce
MANTEC
Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce
Yorba Linda Chamber of Commerce
Roseville Chamber of Commerce
Emerge Jobs
Washburn Area Chamber of Commerce
Georgia Life Sciences
Lebanon Valley Chamber of Commerce
Miami Tech Works
San Clemente Chamber of Commerce
Metrocrest Chamber of Commerce
Align Cetner for Workforce Development
Ways to Partner
If you are an employer facing organization (chamber of commerce or business association): serve as a host organization for challenges in your community, overseeing the employers that develop projects, and the education partners that organize teams of learners to participate in them.
If you are an education or workforce partner: make this opportunity available to learners to support career awareness, exploration, and development.
If you are an employer: partner with a challenge host organization to design and deliver authentic projects for teams of learners and workers.
For more information:
Contact Sarah Castro to learn more and partner at scastro@uschamber.com.
Latest Content
- Through the EPIC Challenge, Miami students collaborate with tech startups to tackle real-world challenges, sharpen in-demand skills, and launch their careers.AT&T partnered with East Stroudsburg University students through the U.S. Chamber Foundation’s EPIC program to find fresh solutions to workforce challenges. The collaboration gave students real consulting experience while providing AT&T with new insights into recruiting and retaining Generation Z employees.During the pandemic, Hillery Goodgame transformed Blue Heron Farms into a hub for innovation and education. Through the U.S. Chamber Foundation’s EPIC program, students gained real-world agricultural experience while helping the farm identify new revenue streams, integrate technology, and strengthen sustainability—planting seeds for future workforce development.Celeste Tiller reflects on her experience as a Business Leads Fellow, highlighting how her participation in the program continues to support her efforts to strengthen York County's workforce.At the 2025 Employer Provided Innovation Challenges (EPIC) Summer Convening, we explored how work-based learning can empower the next generation of leaders and problem-solvers.iBIO leveraged our Employer Provided Innovation Challenges (EPIC) program to bridge education and industry, providing community college and high school students with valuable real-world learning experiences in the life sciences sector.Our 2024 EPIC Summer Meeting showcased how partnerships solve real business challenges, open doors for students, and transform communities through work-based learning.
