Workforce
State and local governments face a tight labor market and a competitive disadvantage with the private sector. But salaries aren’t the only issue, with cities, counties and states all grappling with training, retention, remote work and increased union activity.
Colleges and workforce programs are pivoting toward transferable energy and infrastructure skills as the industry’s near-term prospects dim.
In the absence of transcripts, defendants’ ability to appeal is compromised.
No one is running for Red Lake County attorney because no lawyers live there, highlighting the growing challenge rural governments face in finding professionals to fill essential public roles.
The city replaced a cumbersome hiring process with a digital system that can get candidates into the police academy in less than two months.
There have been some promising reforms to occupational licensing, but too many states still erect barriers that don’t reflect today’s economy and labor market.
The state expanded benefits dramatically back in 1999. It proved to be unsustainable. Now lawmakers of both parties are supporting changes that would cost the taxpayers billions.
The state is investing in programs designed to connect workers with in-demand jobs, offering a potential blueprint for addressing workforce shortages in rural communities.
More municipalities are relying entirely on state troopers for law enforcement, raising questions about whether Pennsylvania can recruit enough officers and sustainably fund an expanding local policing role.
Too many governments just file them away, failing to use them to fix management problems and improve workforce retention. There are better ways to get at the issues.
Niagara Falls is expanding career pathways and employer partnerships to prepare graduates for a wider range of futures.
States with relatively few immigrants and greater economic freedoms are the ones seeing the most benefits. In some places, just one more person can make a difference.
The state's economy is expected to add jobs over the next decade, but demographic trends are creating a growing labor shortage.
Employers must now post salary ranges and rethink hiring practices designed around applicants' past pay.
Gov. Gavin Newsom's four-day in-office mandate puts California among the most aggressive states as governments continue to redefine workplace flexibility.
Why culture, leadership and talent are the foundation of HHS 2030.
One rural New York district is becoming an early test case for bringing AI-powered teaching assistants into the classroom.
The longtime college aid program is expanding to cover short-term vocational and technical training. To realize its full potential, states need to get the implementation right.
The state has extended a program credited with filling 60,000 government jobs, but New York City is choosing a different approach to tackling vacancies.
The new dashboard is designed to help state leaders monitor AI's impact on employment and respond with targeted workforce policies.
The number of permanent jobs communities end up with often falls well short of developers’ promises. Communities should use due diligence — and get the numbers in writing — before agreements are signed.
State leaders are experimenting with tuition assistance and new recruitment efforts as male college enrollment continues to decline.
Small-town agencies are shutting down as staffing shortages and budget pressures make it increasingly difficult to maintain independent police forces.
Starting this summer, federal aid will cover short-term workforce training programs, creating new opportunities and oversight challenges for states and colleges.
Traditional retirement plans penalize the mobility, part-time work and career breaks that family responsibilities demand. There are ways to narrow the benefits gap.
Facing persistent labor shortages, state leaders are investing millions in youth robotics programs to create a new generation of manufacturing and STEM workers.
An array of non-traditional investment vehicles will likely be offered up to governments’ defined-contribution plans. Consultants, plan sponsors and overseers need to approach them with caution.
Benefits that travel with workers from job to job give them stability, and they’re a recruitment and retention tool for businesses. State laws that provide legal clarity can make it work for everyone.
Lawmakers say outdated unemployment payments have made it harder for Alaska to retain skilled workers in seasonal industries like construction and oil and gas.
The newly certified App Drivers Union will negotiate with Uber and Lyft on behalf of more than 100,000 drivers across the state.
A Pew analysis highlights how local leaders are confronting persistent office vacancies and revenue risks.
Officials hope higher salaries will ease recruitment and retention challenges in schools statewide.
