JFF's Workforce Transformation Policy Council

Challenge

The education and workforce development landscape is evolving faster than ever before and federal policy can’t keep pace with shifting trends, markets, and delivery models. It has become clear that transformative policy change is needed at the federal level to ensure every person has the opportunity to thrive in quality jobs. Simultaneously, state and local workforce development leaders must take a proactive role in shaping the future of their systems to more equitably serve their increasingly diverse communities.  

Approach

Jobs for the Future (JFF) developed the Workforce Transformation Policy Council to identify and elevate urgently needed policy changes. By bringing together a diverse group of future-focused leaders representing workforce development boards nationwide, JFF designs and facilitates topic-specific, group conversations and synthesizes conversation outcomes to identify the principles around which workforce policies and systems should be designed to improve worker and learner outcomes. We then demonstrate actionable ways to implement those principles at the local, state, and federal levels. All principles and policy recommendations are vetted by the council and supported by innovative examples of existing localized implementation.  

Results

With insights drawn from nine focus group conversations and over 20 individual interviews, JFF has published a series of policy briefs focused on how to improve services for specific populations, how to make better use of data and data infrastructure, and how to build more equitable learning pathways. The policy briefs generated 13 design principles and more than 65 equity-centered, data-driven, and locally responsive policy recommendations. The council continues to explore opportunities for future conversations, such as those related to skills-based talent practices, the climate-resilient economy, and emergent technologies. 

Partners

The initial policy briefs published by the Workforce Transformation Policy Council drew from the experience and insights of more than 20 future-focused leaders representing 17 workforce development boards in 15 states.

• Gina Ronokarijo and Pamela Nabors, CareerSource Central Florida, Orlando, Florida  
• Jaime Cruz, Workforce Connections, southern Nevada’s Local Workforce Development Board, Las Vegas, Nevada
• Becca Collins, Jackie Hall, and Seth Lentz, Workforce Development Board of South Central Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
• Jacob Maas and Tasha Evans, West Michigan Works!, Grand Rapids, Michigan
• Mitzi Woods, South Delta Planning & Development District, Greenville, Mississippi
• Petra Chavez and Sasha Easton, Arapahoe/Douglas Works!, Centennial, Colorado
• Danielle Frazier, Charlotte Works, Charlotte, North Carolina
• Marie Kurose, Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County, Seattle Washington
• Marlena Sessions, NOVAworks, Sunnyvale, California
• Alex Johnson, Capital Workforce Partners, Hartford, Connecticut
• Clyde McQueen and Andrea Robins, Full Employment Council, Kansas City, Missouri
• Erick Serrato, Merced County Department of Workforce Investment, Atwater, California
• Kirkland Murray, Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation, Anne Arundel, Maryland
• H. Patrick Clancy, Philadelphia Works, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Priscilla Lopez and Camilo Garcia, Imperial County Workforce Development Board, El Centro, California
• Shawn Avery, Hampton Roads Workforce Council, Norfolk, Virginia   
• Laurie Bouillion Larrea (Retired), Workforce Solutions Dallas, Dallas, Texas