Preparing for the Post-Pandemic Workforce

• What existing programs can help workers transition with evolving workforce needs?
• What are the biggest skills gaps that worker training programs will need to address?
• What is the next step for Congress?

The COVID-19 pandemic has decimated America’s labor market and worsened existing inequalities. Among parent-age adults, 1.5 million women have left the workforce since the pandemic began, compared to only 870,000 male workers. Communities of color have also been hit hard by job loss; the unemployment rates for Hispanic and Black workers are 1.5 and 1.8 times the rate for white workers.

Our under-funded and disjointed workforce development systems are unprepared for the coming wave of Americans seeking to gain relevant skills. Meanwhile, automation and technological advancement continue to transform the labor market and rapidly change the skills that workers need to build successful careers. The Biden Administration seeks to boost investments in worker training as part of its American Jobs Plan, and the federal government’s premiere legislation guiding workforce development—the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)—is due for reauthorization this year. Ultimately, Congress has the opportunity to lay the groundwork for comprehensive reforms that improve outcomes for American workers.

Join the Bipartisan Policy Center, Workday, the Black Economic Alliance, and Jobs for the Future to discuss how our worker training systems can meet the challenges of the moment and help workers succeed.

Featured Participants

Keynote:

Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE);
@RepLBR

Panel discussion with:

David Clunie
Executive Director, Black Economic Alliance

Chandler Morse
Head of DC Office and North American Public Policy, Workday
@chandlermorse

Mary Clagett
Senior Director, Jobs for the Future
@jfftweets

Peter Callstrom
President and CEO, San Diego Workforce Partnership
@PeterACallstrom
Moderated by:

Kenneth Megan
Associate Director, BPC
@kennymdc

Additional participants to be announced