Investing in America’s Workforce: Improving Outcomes for Workers and Employers is the Federal Reserve System’s initiative aimed at exploring regional aspects of improving workforce outcomes and investments. A collaboration among all 12 Reserve Banks, the John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development at Rutgers University, the Ray Marshall Center of the Lyndon B. Johnson School at the University of Texas, and the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, this effort signals a critical need to address significant labor market challenges that persist for both workers and employers nationwide.

The initiative has produced a series of regional meetings, an examiner education and training resource, a book on effective practices for businesses and recommended investments in workers, a capstone conference in October 2017, and a national report on workforce development solutions.

In support of this effort, the Boston Fed coordinated a chapter titled “Investing in Opportunities to Create Good Jobs” for the upcoming System initiative book. We also organized panel sessions on “The Future of Work” and “The Changing Social Contract of Work” for the capstone conference and participated in promoting the event and heightening awareness of these pressing employment issues throughout New England.

Our partnership on the System initiative with the other Federal Reserve Banks, policy thought leaders, researchers, and advocates has also helped to inform the design of our own regional workforce efforts to explore the potential impact that job quality could play in improving employment outcomes for low- and moderate-income residents and communities.