Improve Job Training
Job training and adult education are essential to expanding economic opportunities for low-wage workers, and to enhancing the quality of workforce needed to restore America's economic competitiveness. To achieve these ends, state policymakers can focus on improving the effectiveness of training and education offered by agencies across state government, and improve workers' access to these opportunities.
What Can Policymakers Do?
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Align training with key industries . Focus education and training on industries offering higher demand, higher wages, and "less-outsourceable" jobs.
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Create a seamless education path . Align job training at various education levels to form a seamless pathway from basic education to postsecondary education.
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Expand financial aid for non-traditional students . Expand eligibility for need-based financial aid for students not enrolled in traditional, full-time, postsecondary degree programs.
Uncapped federal funds for training. See a video to learn more on the Food Stamp Employment and Training program.
Job Training: Return on Investment. A Washington state study found that effective job training yielded net benefits to taxpayers of up to $27,000 per participant.