Resource Topics
For additional information, visit these Richmond Fed pages:
Investing in America's Workforce
The “Investing in America’s Workforce” is a collaboration between the Federal Reserve System, the Heldrich Center for Workforce Development at Rutgers University, the Ray Marshall Center at the University of Texas at Austin and the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research.
As part of these efforts, the Federal Reserve’s Community Development departments held regional meetings — including five by the Richmond Fed regional Community Development team — with nearly 1,000 leaders who work at the intersection of workforce training, recruiting and finance to discuss the challenges that face the nation’s workforce development system.
Since 2016, the System collaborative has convened discussions and a national conference, and has produced reports and a three-volume book titled “Investing in America’s Workforce: Improving Outcomes for Workers and Employers.” Released in November 2018, the book includes research, best practices and resources on workforce development.
More than 100 authors contributed to the book, including 28 from the Federal Reserve. The volumes — Investing in Workers, Investing in Work and Investing in Systems for Employment Opportunity — include chapters that identify specific workforce development programs and policies that provide positive returns to society, employers and job seekers.
A series of special topic briefs include:
Understanding the Disconnect between Economic Development and Workforce Development Systems
This brief focuses on increased alignment of economic development and workforce development systems, including common barriers, opportunities for improvement and best practices.
Digital Skills for the 21st-Century Workforce
This brief examines challenges and innovative strategies used to prepare workers with digital skills for 21st-century jobs.
Examining the Role of Job Separations in Black-White Labor Market Disparities
Explores racial disparities and the distinct differences in labor market outcomes for black and white workers.
Pay for Success: How Emerging Finance Tools Are Supporting Workforce Development
Explores Pay for Success and the challenges and opportunities in applying the model to build outcomes-oriented education and training programs.
Strengthening Workforce Development in Rural Areas
Explore opportunities for workforce development investments in rural areas that address challenges around both labor demand and supply.
Related Resources
Developing Career-Based Training contains case studies that highlight local and regional efforts across the country. It explores how workforce development programs have created training for workers, including career and technical education, competency-based education, industry and employer investment in career pathways, health care worker education, sector-based training strategies, and training for disadvantaged populations. Also available as ebook and Kindle book versions.