After COVID-19: Building a More Coherent and Effective Workforce Development System in the United States

After COVID-19: Building a More Coherent and Effective Workforce Development System in the United States. Brookings Institution. Harry J. Holzer. February 15, 2021

Workforce development in the United States today is spread across higher education institutions (primarily public two-year and for-profit colleges), labor market institutions, and workplaces, with public funding from a range of sources. But outcomes for students and workers are weaker than they could be, especially among disadvantaged students and displaced workers; funding for workforce development programs is insufficient and not always effective. I propose the following changes: (1) Implement reforms and additional funding in the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) for postsecondary occupational training for disadvantaged students. (2) Add modest taxes on worker displacement along with new funding for retraining. (3) Create a permanent version of the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT) grants to fund partnerships among community colleges, workforce institutions, and states. Together, these actions would improve credential attainment and employment outcomes among the disadvantaged and employees at the risk of being displaced. [Note: contains copyrighted material].

[PDF format, 33 pages].

Policies to Improve Workforce Services for Older Americans

Policies to Improve Workforce Services for Older Americans. Brookings Institution. Katharine Abraham and Susan Houseman. November 19, 2020

Older Americans increasingly need or want to work beyond the traditional age of retirement and doing so often requires changing jobs late in life. Because of age discrimination and skills obsolescence, among other factors, however, older adults may face special challenges to finding new work. We propose seven relatively low-cost reforms that will improve the workforce services provided to older adults and can be implemented quickly: (1) having specialized staff at job centers who understand older workers’ needs and can serve them more effectively, (2) experimenting with job placement programs specifically for older workers, (3) promoting self-employment among older adults, and (4) providing targeted skills development for older workers. Additionally, we recommend (5) adopting separate program performance standards for older adults to eliminate disincentives for the provision of services to this population, and (6) restoring funding to the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), a program that serves disadvantaged older adults. Given the limitations of available evidence on the best approach to serving older workers, we also propose (7) evaluating the new programs and initiatives we are recommending to ensure they are having the intended effect. [Note: contains copyrighted material].

[PDF format, 30 pages].

State Policies to Promote Shared Prosperity in Cities

State Policies to Promote Shared Prosperity in Cities. Brookings Institution. Solomon Greene et al. March 26, 2020

This framing paper connects three briefs in the State Policies to Promote Shared Prosperity in Cities series created by the Shared Prosperity Partnership. For additional insights, read the full briefs: How States Can Support Shared Prosperity by Promoting Human Capital Development; How States Can Support Shared Prosperity by Promoting Quality Jobs; and How States Can Support Shared Prosperity by Promoting Affordable Rental Housing. [Note: contains copyrighted material].

[PDF format].

Meet The Out-Of-Work: Local Profiles of Jobless Adults And Strategies to Connect Them to Employment

Meet The Out-Of-Work: Local Profiles of Jobless Adults And Strategies to Connect Them to Employment. Brookings Institution. Martha Ross and Natalie Holmes. June 22, 2017

Even in the midst of a prolonged economic expansion with a low national unemployment rate, jobs are not always available and not everyone who wants work can find it. Both job availability and demographics vary markedly around the country, yielding diverse local populations wanting and/or needing work.

This analysis aims to deepen understanding of out-of-work Americans, and support local officials in their efforts to help these individuals find jobs. The authors provide a unique perspective on adults ages 25-64 who are out of work in each of 130 large cities and counties across the United States, using cluster analysis to segment the out-of-work population into distinct groups based on factors such as educational attainment, age, work history, disability, English language proficiency, and family status. They present detailed information on these groups accompanied by information on appropriate and effective workforce development programs in order to help local officials, funders, and other stakeholders develop, strengthen, or diversify strategies to connect their residents to employment. [Note: contains copyrighted material].

[PDF format, 48 pages, 2.87 MB].