The Workforce Education Collaborative Action Network (WE-CAN) is Trivium Consulting’s flagship initiative to transform how interdisciplinary STEM education is funded and delivered, especially in Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) jurisdictions that have historically been under-resourced.
In traditional models, institutions compete in isolation and splinter efforts that could be consolidated and unified for greater outcomes.
WE-CAN fosters collaboration across higher education, nonprofits, philanthropy, and industry leaders. By working together, our partners can unlock more funding, share proven strategies, and create opportunities that no single organization could accomplish alone. WE-CAN is about bolstering collective efforts, so that together, we can go further.
"If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."
-African Proverb
Implementing The Five Pillars of Collaborative Action is the foundation for a reliable and sustainable way forward in transforming the landscape of STEM
(Kania & Kramer, 2011)
The Five Pillars
Shared Vision and Goals
Align around a common understanding of the challenge and a unified approach to create lasting impact, even when perspectives differ.
The U.S. faces an urgent STEM talent gap with a projection of nearly 1.1 million STEM positions going unfilled by 2033 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025). WE-CAN members are united by a shared mission: to strengthen STEM education and workforce capacity.
Shared Measurement Systems
Use common metrics to track progress, foster accountability, and learn together so everyone stays aligned and focused on results.
WE-CAN is rooted in evidence-based practice. We use ongoing evaluation to learn what works, adapt in real time, while ensuring measurable progress and long-term effectiveness (W.K. Kellogg Foundation Logic Model, 2004)
Mutually Reinforcing Efforts
Coordinate diverse strengths and activities so each contribution fits into a unified plan for greater collective impact.
WE-CAN brings together a diverse network of industry leaders, higher education institutions, philanthropic organizations, and government agencies. These cross-sector partnerships are vital to advancing educational outcomes and economic development (NSF, 2023)
Continuous Communication
Regular communication builds trust through transparent dialogue and shared vernacular, so collaboration stays strong and consistent.
From local school districts to national industry leaders, WE-CAN engages stakeholders at every level to create inclusive, lasting pathways into STEM, starting with hands-on learning opportunities as early as elementary school.
Dedicated Backbone Support
Continuous support is needed for coordination, facilitation, and infrastructure.
Every WE-CAN partner brings unique assets to the table, from funding and expertise to infrastructure and networks. By pooling resources, the Workforce Education Collaborative Action Network accelerates innovation, expands impact, and ensures that valuable lessons are shared and scaled across the network.
Shared Vision and Goals
Align around a common understanding of the challenge and a unified approach to create lasting impact, even when perspectives differ.
The U.S. faces an urgent STEM talent gap with a projection of nearly 1.1 million STEM positions going unfilled by 2033 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025). WE-CAN members are united by a shared mission: to strengthen STEM education and workforce capacity.
Shared Measurement Systems
Use common metrics to track progress, foster accountability, and learn together so everyone stays aligned and focused on results.
WE-CAN is rooted in evidence-based practice. We use ongoing evaluation to learn what works, adapt in real time, while ensuring measurable progress and long-term effectiveness (W.K. Kellogg Foundation Logic Model, 2004)
Mutually Reinforcing Efforts
Coordinate diverse strengths and activities so each contribution fits into a unified plan for greater collective impact.
WE-CAN brings together a diverse network of industry leaders, higher education institutions, philanthropic organizations, and government agencies. These cross-sector partnerships are vital to advancing educational outcomes and economic development (NSF, 2023)
Continuous Communication
Regular communication builds trust through transparent dialogue and shared vernacular, so collaboration stays strong and consistent.
From local school districts to national industry leaders, WE-CAN engages stakeholders at every level to create inclusive, lasting pathways into STEM, starting with hands-on learning opportunities as early as elementary school.
Dedicated Backbone Support
Continuous support is needed for coordination, facilitation, and infrastructure.
Every WE-CAN partner brings unique assets to the table, from funding and expertise to infrastructure and networks. By pooling resources, the Workforce Education Collaborative Action Network accelerates innovation, expands impact, and ensures that valuable lessons are shared and scaled across the network.
The Five Pillars
EDGE Institute
Empowering Development in Grant Excellence
This program reimagines how community colleges can be leaders in federally funded teaching, learning, and research in emerging STEM fields such as AI, quantum computing, machine learning, and biotechnology. By supporting faculty through training, mentorship, and proposal development, EDGE helps broaden the pool of higher education institutions engaging in critical research and education efforts.
This approach strengthens institutional capacity and creates a scalable blueprint for directing more research funding to colleges that serve working-class and underrepresented students, helping broaden access to economic opportunity.