Ben Wilterdink

In a blog post for America’s Future Foundation, Director of Programs Ben Wilterdink explains that the way to keep up with our increasingly service-based economy is to gain the soft skills — also known as non-cognitive skills — that more and more employers seek.

In an op-ed for The Hill, Director of Programs Ben Wilterdink explores one of the overlooked effects of rising minimum wages — reduced opportunities for teenagers and young adults to learn soft skills. Examining recent literature, Wilterdink finds that entry-level employment and soft skill accumulation are linked to long-term economic success.

Director of Programs Ben Wilterdink reviews the literature and examines recent studies on the connections between minimum wage increases, the availability of entry-level work, and trends in teenage employment. He finds that the current discussions about increasing the minimum wage overlook some far-reaching consequences for individuals and their ability learn the skills needed for future economic success.

Archbridge Director of Programs Ben Wilterdink explains the difference between artificial and natural barriers that are preventing people from lifting themselves out of poverty. At the local level, many groups have seen this issue and implemented programs that are tailored to the specific needs of individuals with spectacular results.

Archbridge Director of Programs Ben Wilterdink argues for the importance of soft skills in our increasingly service-based economy. With minimum wage increases and helicopter parenting becoming the norm, Wilterdink argues that children and young adults are missing opportunities to gain the soft skills that employers want in today’s labor market. INTERSTATE COMPACTS AREN’T THE RIGHT W

In a Wall Street Journal op-ed, Secretary of Labor Acosta and South Dakota Governor Daugaard outline their plan for interstate compacts that allow holders of an occupational license in one state to receive a temporary license for that occupation when moving to another state within the compact. Archbridge Director of Policy Research Ben Wilterdink explains why this does nothing to resolve the barriers to mobility caused by occupational licensing.