Fostering Local Workforce Growth
In a proactive effort to bolster local economies and workforce development, the Biden administration orchestrated a high-profile gathering at the White House this week. Black mayors and county officials from across the nation convened for a roundtable discussion, joining forces with philanthropic organizations, unions, and non-governmental entities to explore strategies for cultivating a skilled workforce capable of harnessing the potential presented by President Biden’s ambitious “Investing in America” agenda.
A Diverse Coalition Unites
The distinguished group of participants included notable leaders, such as the mayors of Baltimore and Augusta, both of whom preside over cities designated as White House Workforce Hub locations.
Additionally, the gathering welcomed esteemed mayors from Atlanta, Georgia, Birmingham, Alabama, Little Rock, Arkansas, Long Beach, California, Mount Vernon, New York, and Newport News, Virginia. County officials from influential areas such as Shelby County, Tennessee, Fulton County, Georgia, Alameda County, and Tarrant County, Texas, were also in attendance, among others.
Empowering Local Workforce
The primary focus of this assembly revolved around the dissemination of critical information regarding access to technical resources essential for engaging with the recently enacted Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act programs.
Leaders gathered to exchange best practices, delving into effective methods for local governments to establish fruitful collaborations with philanthropic organizations, unions, and non-governmental entities to nurture and connect American workers with job opportunities.
Resources and Initiatives to Drive Equity
The discussions extended to crucial resources and initiatives, such as the “Investing in American Technical Assistance Guide” and the groundbreaking “White House Workforce Hubs.” These tools, participants agreed, have the potential to serve as vital conduits for ensuring equitable access to high-quality jobs for all segments of society.
A Diverse Panel of Senior Advisors
This seminal meeting enjoyed the presence of several senior Biden-Harris Administration officials, each adding their expertise to the discourse:
- Tom Perez, Senior Advisor, Assistant to the President, and Director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs
- Steve Benjamin, Senior Advisor, Assistant to the President, and Director of the Office of Public Engagement
- Brendan Danaher, Deputy Director of the National Economic Council
- Harin Contractor, Director of Labor Policy National Economic Council
- Ryan Berni, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Advisor for Infrastructure Implementation
- Stephanie Sykes, Special Assistant to the President for the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs
- Michael Smith, CEO of AmeriCorps
- Tom West, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Domestic Business Tax, Office of Tax Policy, U.S. Department of Treasury
Together, this diverse coalition is spearheading efforts to create a more equitable and robust workforce, poised to embrace the transformative opportunities of the “Investing in America” initiative.
Sources: THX News & The White House.
