Workforce

Majority of American teachers worry about shootings at their schools, survey shows

Most educators favor more mental health screening for students and oppose arming teachers, though their views are more divided when it comes to whether security officers should have weapons.

  • By Jennifer Gerson, The 19th

Government employees need hands-on, standardized AI training

Having a properly defined list of terms helps get everybody on the same page, as does baseline training for every employee.

  • By Chris Teale

Why so many election officials are leaving

Some states are seeing high rates of turnover among local election officials, according to new research. It’s a troublesome trend that may have a silver lining.

  • By Chris Teale

Is the deal with the NBA Milwaukee Bucks a model for city development projects?

The community benefits agreement that the Bucks owners signed for $250 million in state aid to build the Fiserv Forum included provisions allowing arena workers to freely unionize. It has turned their low-wage, insecure work into sustainable jobs, according to a new report.

  • By Erik Gunn, Wisconsin Examiner

It’s time for local policymakers to cement the Biden administration’s workforce gains

COMMENTARY | By adopting strong job quality standards for government spending, state and local policymakers can improve residents’ quality of life and support a strong, stable workforce for generations to come.

  • By Karla Walter

County supports its aging residents by focusing on family caregivers

To ensure its older adults receive quality care, Fairfax County, Virginia, steps up services for their families.

  • By Kaitlyn Levinson

Biden announces $6B in student debt relief for public service workers

An estimated 78,000 teachers, firefighters and public health workers are among the group of borrowers who will see their debts canceled under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

  • By Nadra  Nittle, The 19th

What are microcredentials? And are they worth having?

COMMENTARY | Microcredentials give employees a way to verify their competencies while providing government and industry with another approach for finding skilled workers.

  • By Daniel Douglas, The Conversation

Working-class people rarely have a seat ‘at the legislative table’ in state capitols

The dearth of working-class legislators raises concerns that economic challenges such as wage stagnation and the rising cost of living will get short shrift in state capitols.

  • By Robbie Sequeira, Stateline

What’s the status of your EMS?

COMMENTARY | As rural communities struggle to keep Emergency Medical Services operating, how do we assess the condition of those services? Are we asking the right questions?

  • By Donna Kallner, The Daily Yonder

‘Brain gain’ in rural America and who is behind it

Young people leave their homes to explore and learn everywhere, not just in rural America. But rural spaces offer some unique advantages that inspire many to return and bolster their communities.

  • By Ilana Newman, The Daily Yonder

School districts offer affordable teacher housing as recruitment tool

With fewer people entering the education profession and leaving earlier, more districts may consider teacher housing to increase attractiveness as they compete for talent. 

  • By Antoinette Grajeda, Arkansas Advocate
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How states can fight child labor

COMMENTARY | Children as young as 13 have been found working overnight shifts in slaughterhouses. States must adjust their existing labor laws to deter employers from taking advantage of this vulnerable population.

  • By Terri Gerstein

Can student debt relief attract workers to state and local government jobs?

More than 46% of state and local employees reported being “extremely or very worried” about paying back their student loans. A new report suggests addressing that concern could entice more people into the public sector.

  • By Kery Murakami

Meet the newest member of your team: the chief AI officer

Federal agencies must hire a CAIO by year’s end. State and local governments could soon follow their lead, but some observers doubt that another C-suite officer is the best way to go.

  • By Chris Teale

States get some help to recruit caregivers for an aging population

With a projected 9.3 million direct care jobs needing to be filled by 2031, states must find ways to fill that gap. That’s why a new program is helping states build a direct care workforce.

  • By Kaitlyn Levinson

With federal funds flowing, weatherization workforce poised for growth

Industry and community leaders are trying to build organizational systems to match the supply of weatherization workers with growing demand.

  • By Kari Lydersen, Energy News Network

Philly mayor might consider these lessons from NYC before expanding stop-and-frisk

In New York City, stop-and-frisk led to unwanted consequences, such as lawsuits against the city, greater racial disparities in the criminal justice system, citizen unrest and distrust of the police.

  • By Megan Kurlychek, The Conversation

City extends police department’s ‘life changing’ 4-day workweek pilot

The decision comes after the data shows that the 32-hour workweek resulted in faster emergency response times and cost savings

  • By Elizabeth Daigneau

How one city is bridging the gender gap in construction jobs

Rochester, Minnesota, launched its Equity in the Built Environment program in 2023 that looks to educate and train women for jobs in construction, project management, interior design, and other careers.

  • By Jessica Kutz  , The 19th

Catching Zs: 4 ways to tap the incoming wave of young workplace talent

COMMENTARY | Connecting with potential hires requires agencies to offer flexible, digital work arrangements, along with an opportunity to meaningfully shape their communities and their world.

  • By Dante Ricci