About

The Guide to Local Workforce Systems is funded by a grant from JPMorgan Chase. The Urban Institute is collaborating with JPMorgan Chase over five years to inform and assess JPMorgan Chase’s philanthropic investments in key initiatives. One of these initiatives is New Skills at Work, a $250 million multiyear workforce development initiative that aims to expand and replicate effective approaches for linking education and training efforts with the skills and competencies employers need. The goals of the collaboration include using data and evidence to inform JPMorgan Chase’s philanthropic investments, assessing whether its programs are achieving desired outcomes, and informing the larger fields of policy, philanthropy, and practice. 

The Guide to Local Workforce Systems seeks to increase public understanding of the local systems in which workforce development initiatives like New Skills at Work operate. Additionally, the guide disseminates information on best practices related to providing employers with a skilled workforce and getting individuals into jobs with family-sustaining wages and benefits, including those New Skills at Work supports. 

Research team

Christin Durham, Shayne Spaulding, Pamela Loprest, Lauren Eyster, Semhar Gebrekristos, Daniel Kuehn, Michelle Van Noy, and Neil Damron

 We are grateful to JPMorgan Chase and to all our funders, who make it possible for Urban to advance its mission. The views expressed are those of the authors and should not be attributed to the Urban Institute, its trustees, or its funders. Funders do not determine research findings or the insights and recommendations of our experts. More information on our funding principles is available here. Read our terms of service here.