Economic advancement is often measured by how individuals improve their financial standing over time. As incomes rise, so does upward mobility. Access to quality employment typically requires education beyond high school — projections indicate that 85 percent of new well-compensated jobs by 2031 will demand postsecondary training. Local governments can play a pivotal role by investing in workforce development and promoting job quality through partnerships with employers.
According to the Urban Institute’s Upward Mobility Framework, programs that enable workers to gain new skills or upgrade existing ones are effective tools for enhancing economic progress. Credentials and improved competencies often lead to positions with higher pay and better benefits. Earn-and-learn models, such as registered apprenticeships combining classroom instruction with on-the-job experience, have demonstrated strong outcomes. Participants in these programs typically earn an average of $80,000 upon completion and see lifetime earnings increases exceeding $300,000, outpacing peers in alternative training pathways.
In Jamestown, New York (population 28,000), city leaders collaborated with the local manufacturers’ association to launch “Dream It Do It” Advanced Manufacturing. This initiative offers middle and high school students hands-on exposure to modern manufacturing techniques. In 2024, the program helped over 264 residents earn digital credentials in advanced manufacturing and provided career exploration opportunities to more than 1,000 youth and adults. Additionally, The Resource Center (TRC) supports individuals with disabilities through tailored workforce training, improving both employment outcomes and quality of life.
Missoula, Montana (population 75,000), funds the Missoula Economic Partnership to align workforce development with emerging high-wage industries like photonics, healthcare, and construction. Facing the decline of traditional sectors, the city has integrated federal, state, and local funding to support apprenticeship readiness, mentorship, and programs assisting mothers entering the workforce.
Improving job quality is another key lever for boosting retention and financial stability. Research shows that raising wages to a living standard can stimulate economic growth and reduce dependency on public assistance. Cities like Richmond, Virginia, have launched certification programs recognizing employers who pay living wages. These efforts help job seekers and consumers make informed choices while encouraging businesses to adopt equitable compensation practices.
Beyond pay, addressing structural barriers such as childcare, transportation, and housing is essential. Tacoma, Washington’s Training and Employment Program connects job seekers with high-paying careers while also offering support for childcare and other basic needs, removing common obstacles to employment.
Municipalities of all sizes can contribute to greater economic mobility by linking residents to training, forging employer partnerships, and highlighting workplaces that offer sustainable wages. Advancing economic well-being involves not only helping people secure employment but also supporting long-term career progression.
— news from National League of Cities
— News Original —
How Cities Are Using Workforce Development to Advance Economic Mobility
Economic mobility is often described as how a person’s economic well-being changes over a lifetime. As a person’s income increases, they are considered upwardly mobile. Ultimately, pathways to good jobs run through postsecondary education — 85 percent of new good jobs by 2031 (PDF) will require education and training beyond high school. Concrete ways that local leaders can influence the economic mobility of their residents include supporting or investing in workforce development programs and championing job quality, as well as employers that offer it. n nAccording to the Urban Institute’s Upward Mobility Framework, creating workforce development programs that support workers in reskilling and upskilling are promising local policy interventions to advance economic mobility. Increased skills or credentials allow workers to gain employment that offers higher wages and benefits. For example, earn-and-learn programs, such as apprenticeships that combine classroom learning with real-world work experiences, are proven to promote long-term wage gains for participants. Those who complete Registered Apprenticeship Programs see higher rates of wage growth (PDF) than their peers in other programs, an average salary of $80,000 on completion and more than $300,000 in increased lifetime earnings. n nExamples of City Workforce Partnerships n nThe City of Jamestown, NY (population 28,000) partnered with their manufacturers’ association to launch “Dream It Do It” Advanced Manufacturing, which gives middle and high school students hands-on-learning experiences with manufacturing. In 2024, Dream It Do It enabled more than 264 residents to earn digital badges related to advanced manufacturing skills, and provided career exposure opportunities to more than 1,000 youth and adults in Jamestown. As part of a strategy to expand access to employment, Jamestown’s The Resource Center (TRC) supports individuals with disabilities with workforce training and supports that enables a higher quality of life. n nThe City of Missoula, MT (population 75,000) funds the Missoula Economic Partnership, focused on workforce development and industry engagement across the community. Facing the decline of legacy industries, the city has worked to strengthen their regional economy by aligning workforce training with growing, high-wage industries (PDF) such as photonics, construction and healthcare. By braiding federal, state and local funding, the city has supported the development of apprenticeship readiness programs, mentorship programs and programs that support mothers in entering the workforce. n nFocus on Job Quality to Improve Retention & Economic Mobility n nResearch shows actions that improve the quality of jobs can increase economic growth, reduce reliance on public benefits and lift communities out of poverty. Local leaders have an opportunity to track sectors or businesses that pay a living wage — the estimated amount that a full-time worker requires to cover the costs of their family’s basic needs where they live. This can be accomplished with the support of a local chamber of commerce, faith community or other community organizations. In Virginia, the City of Richmond’s Office of Community Wealth Building has supported the Richmond Living Wage Certification Program. Through such programs, cities can recognize high-wage employers annually and share information about those employers that offer living wages in their community, thereby helping consumers and job seekers make informed decisions. n nBeyond wages, tackling key workforce barriers such as access to childcare, transportation, or housing can improve workforce outcomes. The City of Tacoma, WA’s Tacoma Training and Employment Program not only directly connects jobseekers with high-wage careers, but also helps address barriers like access to affordable childcare, and other basic needs. n nMunicipalities of all sizes have a role to play in advancing the economic mobility of their residents — an opportunity to help connect their residents to education and training, build partnerships with local employers and celebrate those employers or sectors that offer wages that support economic security, not just making ends meet. A core part of increasing economic mobility is helping people get a job, keep a job and move ahead.