Developing America's workforce

Counties play a critical role in our nation’s workforce development system. As community representatives and employers to one in 50 Americans, county governments have a vested interest in building career paths for residents. Amid a nationwide workforce shortage, many counties are addressing a tight labor market by creating educational and employment pathways for groups who have historically faced barriers to job opportunities.

National Association of Counties Resource Library

Counties play a critical role in our nation’s workforce development system. As community representatives and employers to one in 50 Americans, county governments have a vested interest in building career paths for residents. Amid a nationwide workforce shortage, many counties are addressing a tight labor market by creating educational and employment pathways for groups who have historically faced barriers to job opportunities.

County authority over workforce development varies between jurisdictions. County officials and agency directors tend to participate in or work closely with local workforce development boards (WDBs) and American Job Centers (AJCs) to promote career readiness. Counties are involved in 90 percent of local WDBs, and nearly 30 percent of WDBs operate within a county department or as a county agency. County governments may also fund workforce development initiatives and engage in statewide and regional efforts to bring programs to scale.

Across the nation, county officials have a deep understanding of our communities’ greatest assets, strengths and challenges. This knowledge is critical to building integrated and responsive workforce systems. Many counties partner closely with local community colleges and other post-secondary educational institutions to ensure resources and training opportunities are aligned with current and future job opportunities. County leaders are directing workforce development programs, often provided by human services agencies or through partnerships with community-based nonprofits, to address the social determinants of employment (e.g., housing, transportation, child care) as well as job skills. County leaders can influence local hiring policy and practice through county ordinance. As employers, service providers, conveners and policymakers, counties are ideal partners in preparing residents for the future of work - in both the public and private sector.

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