The ChallengeGlobalization, rapid technological change, international competition, and an aging and diversifying U.S. population all accelerate the need to build high-growth sectors across the country and prepare a diverse workforce for success, in order to advance both equity and economic competitiveness. Economic growth can’t be as robust and sustainable without equity, because economies need to tap into the talents of their entire populations. That said, widespread economic mobility won’t be possible when local economies are stagnating.

A major opportunity for progress is for regions around the country to integrate place-based strategies for economic growth and innovation with economic mobility, in order to create good jobs and ensure that the workers who access those jobs much more closely reflect the diversity of local communities. This insight drives our work. The intentional – and unusual – integration of economic growth and equitable economic mobility is at the heart of our place-based “Good Jobs Economy” strategy.

BUILDING A GOOD JOBS ECONOMYAmerica Achieves in Action

Our mission is to help communities build Good Jobs Economies that advance and integrate economic growth with economic mobility. We help selected local backbone organizations and coalitions create good jobs, provide local residents with fair access to needed skills and good jobs, and build effective and sustainable institutions and programs. We use lessons learned to inform the design of public policy and communications that support these goals nationwide. And we will equip any interested community with tools, playbooks, and evidence of effectiveness.


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What We Do

We support local partners with funding, a community of peers, and high-quality, tailored technical assistance. This includes working with communities to identify and access federal funding opportunities, build strong workforce intermediary organizations, and strengthen governance for local "backbone" organizations and coalitions. Our learning agenda leverages tools and insights from "proof-point" communities to support other communities doing this work, builds an evidence base of what works, and informs and advances public policy and communications.

For over a decade, America Achieves has launched, scaled, and evaluated highly effective initiatives and nonprofit organizations supporting education and workforce development. We have partnered with local leaders focused on making their communities better places to live, learn, work, and raise a family - with special focus on those who have been underserved. More information on our track record is here. This track record enables and informs our work to help communities and states build a Good Jobs Economy.

BUILDING A GOOD JOBS ECONOMY: