How to stimulate growth and support job creation are two critical challenges that countries confront following the global financial crisis. The Local Economic and Employment Development (LEED) Programme of the OECD has developed international cross-comparative reviews on local job creation policies to examine the contribution of local labour market policy to boosting quality employment. Each country review examines the capacity of employment services and training providers to contribute to a long-term strategy which strengthens the resiliency of the local economy, increases skills levels and job quality. This report looks at the range of institutions and bodies involved in workforce and skills development in two states – California and Michigan. In-depth fieldwork focused on two local Workforce Investment Boards in each state: the Sacramento Employment and Training Agency (SETA); the Northern Rural and Training and Employment Consortium (NoRTEC); the Southeast Michigan Community Alliance (SEMCA); and the Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works. The report concludes with a number of recommendations and actions to promote job creation at the federal, state and local levels.

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Table of Contents:

Chapter 1. Policy context for employment and skills in the US
     Key economic trends in the US
     Employment and training programmes in the US
     Local Workforce Investment Boards and One-Stop Career Centres
     Training provision
     Apprenticeships
     Economic development policy

Chapter 2. Overview of the US case study areas
     California
     Michigan
     Comparison across the four case study areas

Chapter 3. Local Job Creation dashboard findings in the US: California
     Overall findings
     Theme 1: Better aligning policies and programmes to local economic development
     Theme 2: Adding value through skills
     Theme 3: Targeting policy to local employment sectors and investing in quality jobs
     Theme 4: Being inclusive

Chapter 4: Local Job Creation dashboard findings in the US: Michigan
     Overall Findings
     Theme 1: Better aligning policy and programmes to local economic development
     Theme 2: Adding value through skills
     Theme 3: Targeting policy to local employment sectors and investing in quality jobs
     Theme 4: Being Inclusive

Chapter 5: Towards an action plan for jobs in the US: Recommendations and best practices
     Better aligning policies and programmes to local economic development
     Adding value through skills
     Targeting policies to new employment sectors and investing in quality jobs
     Being inclusive