Federal Support for Local Education and Workforce Solutions

PHILADELPHIA, PA —The need for investment in educational and workforce development systems is urgent. What role can the federal government play? A panel conversation among education and workforce policymakers, practitioners, and researchers will explore this question, investigating in particular the implications of provisions in the Build Back Better Act. “Federal Support for Local Workforce Solutions” will take place December 7 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am ET. Attendance is free but registration is required.

Laura Perna, Vice Provost for Faculty, GSE Centennial Presidential Professor of Education, and Penn Institute for Urban Research (Penn IUR) Faculty Fellow Penn IUR Co-Director Susan Wachter will moderate the discussion among panelists including:

• Donald Guy Generals, President, Community College of Philadelphia;
• Harry J Holzer, John LaFarge, Jr. S.J. Chair and Professor, McCourt School of Public Policy, Georgetown University;
• James Kvaal, Under Secretary of Education, United States Department of Education; and
• Theresa Y. Singleton, Senior Vice President and Community Affairs Officer, Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia.

“The opportunity for high-quality education is unequal, which contributes to unequal employment outcomes,” says Perna. “One role of government is to create, implement, and fund policies and practices that level the playing field for high-quality education.”

The conversation will explore the provisions in the Build Back Better Act that promise to expand access to affordable, high-quality postsecondary education; support community college workforce programs; invest in institutions that serve people from underserved groups; and support student retention and completion programs.

Sponsored by Penn IUR, this is the second event in a series, “Education and Workforce Solutions for an Equitable Future,” exploring the future of education in America.

Penn IUR is a University of Pennsylvania-wide body that informs urban decision-making and public policy on issues of sustainable and inclusive urban growth and development based on multi-disciplinary research, instruction, and outreach. Affiliated with all 12 schools of the University of Pennsylvania and with the world of practice, Penn IUR fosters collaboration among scholars and policymakers across disciplines to address the needs of an increasingly urbanized society. Visit penniur.upenn.edu to learn more.