Citizens today released new research in partnership with Jobs for the Future (JFF) highlighting how workers are navigating a changing labor market and reaffirmed its commitment to expanding workforce pathways that help people build skills, access opportunity and advance their careers. Supported by a three-year, $20 million workforce development commitment announced in 2025, Citizens and its foundations project they will provide approximately $7.5 million in workforce development funding in 2026 through national partnerships, local investments and colleague engagement initiatives.

The research, conducted among 1,000 low- and moderate-income U.S. adults ages 20 to 50 without a college degree, found that workers remain focused on growth and career advancement despite economic uncertainty. More than three-quarters (77%) believe learning new skills is the best way to improve career opportunities, 75% are confident they already have the skills needed for their next opportunity, and 87% are willing to make personal financial sacrifices to invest in career training.

The findings come at a time when workforce development continues to evolve beyond traditional job training programs. As technology, artificial intelligence and changing employer needs reshape the labor market, workers are increasingly seeking career exploration opportunities, workforce credentials, work-based learning experiences, mentorship and continuous learning pathways that help them adapt and grow.

Highlights

  • 77% believe learning new skills is the best way to improve career opportunities.

  • 75% are confident they have the skills needed for their next career opportunity.

  • 87% are willing to make financial sacrifices to invest in career training.

  • 92% would be more likely to stay with an employer that invests in training and skill development.

  • 70% believe artificial intelligence can make skills development more accessible to people from all backgrounds.

“These findings reinforce what we continue to hear from colleagues and communities: people want to learn, grow and create new opportunities for themselves,” said Susan LaMonica, Chief Human Resources Officer at Citizens. “Workers understand that continuous learning and skills development are increasingly important to career growth, and they’re looking for employers and community partners who can help support that journey. Through our workforce development investments, partnerships and our own commitment to colleague development, we’re helping people build the skills they’ll need to adapt, advance and succeed throughout their careers.”

Citizens’ workforce development strategy focuses on supporting individuals across the full workforce journey, from career exploration and awareness to skills development, career pathways and lifelong learning. Through national and local partnerships, the company supports programs that help students, job seekers, workers and career changers access opportunities that lead to long-term economic mobility.

Expanding Workforce Pathways Through Partnerships

Across its footprint, Citizens supports workforce development through partnerships with organizations that help individuals explore careers, gain credentials, access work-based learning and connect to employment opportunities. These include collaborations with Jobs for the Future, Education Design Lab, Year Up United, LISC, UStrive, American Corporate Partners and Junior Achievement USA. Citizens also invests in innovative talent solutions through initiatives like the Citizens Workforce Innovation Prize with MIT Solve, which recognizes organizations helping expand access to employment and economic mobility.

A cornerstone of this work is the Citizens Community College Accelerator, launched in partnership with Education Design Lab, which has supported workforce-aligned microcredential programs at community colleges across California, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. To date, the initiative has established 12 college partnerships, designed 35 micro-pathways and launched 26 pathways that have reached nearly 900 learners.

“The accelerator shows what becomes possible when college educators, employers, and learners design workforce pathways together,” said Lisa Larson, CEO of Education Design Lab. “Through our partnerships, we are building stackable micro-pathways that give learners clearer routes to in-demand skills, quality jobs, and continued education—while strengthening community colleges as regional talent engines.”

Citizens’ more than 20-year relationship with Year Up United demonstrates what those pathways can lead to in practice. The partnership helps young adults develop professional and technical skills while connecting them to internships, mentorship and career learning. Nearly 500 interns have been placed at Citizens through the program, and more than 100 Year Up United alumni are currently employed across the company.

“For more than 20 years, Year Up United and Citizens have partnered to create more opportunities for young adults to build meaningful careers,” said Susan Murray, CEO of Year Up United. “Through its philanthropic support and commitment to hosting interns, Citizens has helped hundreds of talented young adults gain the skills, experience, and confidence to succeed in today’s workforce. Together, we’ve shown what’s possible when employers invest in early-career talent—opening doors to economic mobility while building a stronger workforce for the future.”

For more information about Citizens’ partnerships in the communities it serves, click here.

About Citizens Financial Group, Inc.

Citizens Financial Group, Inc. is one of the nation’s oldest and largest financial institutions, with $233.8 billion in assets as of June 30, 2026. Headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, Citizens offers a broad range of retail, private banking, wealth management and commercial banking products and services to individuals, small businesses, middle-market companies, large corporations and institutions. Citizens helps its customers reach their potential by listening to them and by understanding their needs in order to offer tailored advice, ideas and solutions. In Consumer Banking, Citizens provides an integrated experience that includes mobile and online banking, a full-service customer contact center and the convenience of approximately 3,000 ATMs and approximately 1,000 branches in 14 states and the District of Columbia. Consumer Banking products and services include a full range of banking, lending, savings, wealth management and small business offerings. Consumer Banking includes Citizens Private Bank and Private Wealth, which integrate banking services and wealth management solutions to serve high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families, as well as investors, entrepreneurs and businesses. In Commercial Banking, Citizens offers a broad complement of financial products and solutions, including lending and leasing, deposit and treasury management services, foreign exchange, interest rate and commodity risk management solutions, as well as loan syndication, corporate finance, merger and acquisition, and debt and equity capital markets capabilities. More information is available at www.citizensbank.com or visit us on X, LinkedIn or Facebook.

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