NGIN's Communication Resource Guide for Inclusive Economic Development defines Underemployed as: When an individual possesses qualifications or skills which are not fully maximized in their current employment, with emphasis on adults who are economically disadvantaged, unskilled, or have other barriers to employment.

NGIN's Communication Resource Guide for Inclusive Economic Development defines Occupational Segregation as: Occurs when one demographic group is overrepresented or underrepresented among different kinds of work or types of jobs. According to Economic Policy Institute, over the next decade, eight of the ten major groups of professional occupations are projected to have above-average job growth resulting in continued disparities in employment patterns in the economy.

NGIN's Communication Resource Guide for Inclusive Economic Development defines Inclusive Workforce Development as: Inclusivity requires more than just balanced representation and hiring in the workforce. A cohesive approach would entail creating holistic pathways for BIPOC, women, and low-wealth individuals, so they are able to grow in the lifetime of their employment and career. This elevates solutions to combat wealth disparities for these groups as it supports activating and targeting resources to address gaps in the ecosystem, such as investing in education programs and training facilities, adjusting supportive services, such as childcare, transportation, banking services, affordable housing, etc., or addressing biases in the workplace that hamper their ability to grow and succeed.

This guide from the National Skills Coalition outlines workforce and education policies that support tracking progress toward racial equity, including postsecondary training, correctional education, apprenticeships, sector partnerships, and upskilling strategies.

The Chicagoland Workforce Funder Alliance in Illinois serves as a model, with their efforts to fund and supports workforce partnerships in the manufacturing, health care, and early childhood sectors and grow apprenticeships in pandemic-impacted industries. The alliance has developed a workers’ rights for workforce development curriculum and leads the Raise the Floor Alliance to improve job quality and workplace standards for low-wage workers.

From Race Forward, this guide looks at how race inequities have served as a critical barrier in the workforce development field and provides models and solutions for making gains. This tool includes readiness assessment criteria to meet workforce development practitioners where they currently are.

In this report, the National Skills Coalition looks at metrics that address structural inequities for federal investments in workforce development, including enhanced outcome metrics and identifying and addressing workforce equity gaps.

Usually, employers, rather than workers, sit at the center of workforce development strategies. However, employing strategies that center workers, including their rights, voice, and empowerment, presents a much broader set of strategies to encourage economic mobility. The Aspen Institute presents a model for putting work equity at the center of the converation using a model from the Chicagoland Workforce Funder Alliance.

Kentucky | Pop. 1,008,204 | 7 counties

In their 2023 CEDS, the agency developed specific goals and metrics related to workforce development wraparound services, including expanding childcare. The CEDS specifically discusses and provides data on targeted outreach groups for services, including individuals with disabilities, immigrants and refugees, veterans, justice-involved residents, foster youth, and those experiencing homelessness.

California | Pop.3,398,634 | 1 county

In their 2022 CEDS, the county presented several workforce development strategies, including legal structures like Community Benefits Agreements and “Learn and Earn” programs. To connect workforce development and climate resilience, the county explored policies that can increase the accessibility to clean energy jobs equitably.