Transforming U.S. Workforce Development Policies for the 21st Century is a dynamic new book that explores how innovative policies and practices can meet the changing needs of workers, businesses, and their communities.

The book grew out of a national conference of the same name held at Rutgers University last fall. The conference sponsors—the Atlanta Fed, the Kansas City Fed, and the John J. Heldrich Center at Rutgers University—collaborated on this project.

The publication features a wide range of chapters and case studies from more than 65 national experts, leading scholars, and practitioners in the workforce development field. They examine the state of the labor market and potentially transformative workforce development and education strategies and policies to improve opportunities for job seekers, students, and workers, especially those encountering the greatest difficulties in the labor market. Several sections also focus on addressing the difficulties experienced by the long-term unemployed, those with limited formal education, and older and youth workers, minorities, and individuals with disabilities. Visit the Kansas City Fed website to download the book and stay updated on related news and events that are being planned.