The Biden-Harris administration is delivering historic investments to communities across the country, growing our economy from the middle-out and bottom-up, not top-down. Thanks to the Investing in America agenda – which includes legislation such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Inflation Reduction Act, and CHIPS and Science Act – our nation has a once-in-a-generation chance to build America’s next-generation infrastructure, while also driving great innovation and equity across the county.
Achieving the promise of these investments will require a diverse, skilled and ready workforce in cities, towns, and villages across the county. The Department of Labor is committed to helping all workers – including women, workers of color, veterans, rural and dislocated workers and workers who need second chances – have equitable access to fill the jobs created by President Biden’s investments.
For nearly a century, the National League of Cities has helped city leaders build better communities. The Good Jobs, Great Cities Academy will leverage the hands-on experience NLC has gained providing technical assistance, supporting research and offering peer network opportunities, with our expertise, resources and networks, to help cultivate the next generation of innovative sectoral partnerships in infrastructure.
From May 2023 to July 2024, up to 12 cities of all sizes will collaborate with the Department of Labor, National League of Cities, other federal agencies, and national and state partners to design, develop and launch workforce initiatives that build pathways to infrastructure jobs – especially for residents from historically underserved and underrepresented communities.
Led by their mayor’s office, interested cities should:
- Invite relevant stakeholders to join their team.
- Identify and address key gaps in their education and workforce ecosystems.
- Develop and implement strategies to ensure the jobs created are high-quality and support long-term economic vitality for their individual communities.
- Consider the critical role the care economy plays in supporting workers and incorporate supportive services into the project design.
The Good Jobs, Great Cities Academy will help create a blueprint for America’s cities to connect people to good jobs and employers to skilled workers, while fostering an equitable economy for all workers.
