EPIC Gains Steam as Scalable, High‑Impact Model for Work-Based Learning

Washington, DC — The EPIC (Employer Provided Innovation Challenges) initiative, powered by the U.S. Chamber Foundation, is positioning itself as a transformative force in how students connect to real-world work, and Michigan is ready to ride the momentum.

As demand for authentic, hands-on learning grows, EPIC is stepping in to fill a crucial gap. Traditional internships and job-shadowing opportunities are simply not scaling fast enough to meet student interest nor employer need. EPIC offers a compelling alternative: challenge-driven, employer‑sponsored projects that students can take on to build meaningful experience and sharpen their employability skills.

From Local Challenges to National Reach

At its core, EPIC connects students with real problems sourced from employers and community organizations, turning problems into learning opportunities. The U.S. Chamber Foundation is building a national network of host organizations (chambers, business associations, workforce boards, etc.) to expand access and standardize quality. 

The benefits are compelling:

  • Pathways & Exposure: Students explore emerging industries and build a portfolio of solutions grounded in real business challenges.

  • Scalability & Equity: The EPIC model is designed to scale to more students, across more geographies, and with credentials attached — making it more equitable. 

  • Employers in the Driver’s Seat: Companies can act as sponsors of challenges, guiding student work toward real outcomes. 

How Michigan Can Get Involved

Here are a few ways stakeholders in Michigan (educators, employers, workforce agencies) can plug into EPIC’s momentum:

Become a Host Organization

Serve as the backbone for EPIC within your region — coordinating challenge sponsors, recruiting schools and teams, and ensuring quality.

Sponsor a Challenge
Employers, nonprofits, or associations can propose problems or projects for teams to solve, gaining fresh ideas while mentoring future talent.

Offer Student Participation
Schools and colleges can introduce EPIC into classrooms or extracurricular programs so students can engage, compete, and showcase their solutions.

Advocate & Partner
Community groups, foundations, and civic leaders can help amplify EPIC’s reach, connecting funding, infrastructure, and visibility.

EPIC is more than a program — it’s a movement that reimagines how students, schools, and employers work together. As Michigan builds its EPIC ecosystem, our state stands to lead the way in scalable, equitable, employer-driven learning.

See the Full Article