Job Programs Help Communities During Tight Labor Markets

It seems almost too obvious to say, but inadequate employment levels play a huge role in the poverty levels of communities. During a time of staggeringly disparate economic indicators in the pandemic-era United States, the question of low unemployment rates demands further examination. Our guests today have co-authored a forthcoming book that explores just this topic and more. Moving The Needle: What Tight Labor Markets Do for the Poor looks at what happens when jobs are ample, but workers are harder to find.

Katherine S. Newman is provost and executive vice president of Academic Affairs at the University of California, and the author of 14 books. Elisabeth S. Jacobs is a senior fellow at the Urban Institute and cofounder of WorkRise, where she serves as deputy director. The two authors joined the podcast to discuss their book and tight labor markets.

To request a transcript of this episode email webmaster@govexec.com