Workforce Development

Workforce Development is a key priority for local and state government agencies focused on enhancing their communities’ skills, employability, and productivity. By investing in training programs, education, and job placement services, governments can help create a robust labor force that meets the demands of evolving industries. This directory offers articles on workforce development and related topics, like economic development, which examines strategies for fostering job creation and attracting business investments to stimulate regional growth.

the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) received a $1,965,730 grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to help provide reemployment services to former coal industry workers who need to access jobs in emerging and growing fields
The award will fund the Pathways to Employment initiative, a new partnership with the North Central and Southern Alleghenies Workforce Development Boards and Adult Basic Education Coalitions that will focus on workers who lack basic skills in reading, math and communications that inhibit them from successfully completing occupational classroom training and sustaining employment
How can local governments compete for talent as more of their workforce retires and they need to appeal to a new generation that has many choices about where to work?
Violent crime is down 19% in Prince George’s County, and property crime has decreased 15% compared to 2024; the county also welcomed its largest recruit class in a decade
Agencies statewide are struggling to recruit and retain paramedics and EMTs as competition for qualified candidates intensifies
The Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act recognizes occupational cancer as a line-of-duty death for public safety officers, clearing the way for expanded federal benefits
A new contribution will add up to $750 in tuition support for each EMT student who commits to working for a Washington County ambulance service
The E3 initiative connects Chester County inmates with employers before release and maintains support after reentry
The dedicated half-cent sales tax would raise hundreds of millions of dollars each year for the fire department
The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office and Troy PD turned to podcasters and influencers to connect with younger applicants — a strategy that’s showing signs of success
If passed, the Didarul Islam Police Recruitment Act will give a pension boost to cops who first served in other city agencies before going into the Police Academy
The initiative now welcomes retired CBP officers and Border Patrol agents with full pay and pension, aiming to boost leadership and operational capacity
The deal includes a 2% pay raise, gym access, workout time during shifts and performance evaluations aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability
St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer’s plan includes a 4% across-the-board raise for firefighters to help recruit and retain staff amid hundreds of vacancies
New York City’s mayor-elect plans to redirect mental health, homelessness and outreach duties to a new civilian agency under a $1.1B proposal