CONTINUED
Stabilizing and strengthening our work force requires an all-out blitz that will take every magic trick we’ve got. Therefore, since this is truly a multi-dimensional challenge, both the private sector and the federal government must be part of the solution.
The contribution of the private sector to job creation is beyond significant. Startup funding in 2024 reached almost $314 billion. Analysis by the Congressional Research Service found that even though “high-impact” businesses (defined as “having sales that have doubled over the most recent four-year period and have an employment growth quantifier of two of more over the same time period”) only account for between 5-6 percent of all businesses, they “account for ‘almost all net job creation in the economy.’” That’s crazy!
Small businesses are a huge contributor to our economy and we must champion, protect and fully support them. The 36+ million small businesses in America represent 44 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product; employ 46 percent of American workers (59–62 million people); and create roughly 9 out of every 10 net new jobs.
The federal government must also play a significant role. We can practically hear the splash from Tea Partiers jumping into Boston Harbor. No doubt the term “federal jobs program” will completely freak some conservatives out. They will probably argue that we don’t need some big government, “Socialist” program because our jobs and wage issues will eventually be fully corrected by market forces.
… which would be a strange reaction because U.S. Works is actually a very conservative-minded approach. It replaces a no-strings-attached check with actual jobs – and we all know how much Republicans hate handing out checks to people! : )
Clients must be physically present at an Empower Society location to receive credit (the program will have solutions in place for childcare, transportation, and other access issues). Special arrangements will be made for participants who do not live within 30 miles of a Center.
Empower Society clients first meet with highly qualified case managers who assess their skills, then help them create an in-depth profile for potential employers. The profile includes information like work history, education and life skills, plus provides an opportunity for the client to share his or her professional goals, a personal statement, and even an introductory video.
A dedicated website, facilitated by the U.S. Department of Labor, will serve as a clearinghouse of job listings, searchable by category, skill set, and location. This already exists but needs to be modernized. Two new categories will be added to the existing site. The first includes jobs generated by the projects funded by the newly established National Infrastructure Bank. The United States doesn’t currently have a National Infrastructure Bank but should. In fact, it was a majorly lost opportunity – and, quite frankly, irresponsible – that the Biden administration and Congress didn’t create one when they passed the $1.2 trillion-dollar Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in 2021.
The National Infrastructure Bank is a financial institution – funded with seed capital from the government, then leveraged by our capital markets – that can provide low-interest loans, issue bonds, provide insurance for the bonds of state and local governments, streamline the construction process, and coordinate and prioritize the rebuilding efforts. It’s a no-brainer, which is, of course, why Congress didn’t do it.
The other new category on the website is the cornerstone of U.S. Works. One of the main criticisms of the Civil Works Administration – a work-relief program established by President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal to provide temporary jobs for over 4 million Americans – was that people were just on the government payroll and not really doing anything... just “pushing leaves around” if you will. That won’t be the case here. These are real jobs.
Although many infrastructure projects are vast in scope and require mid-skill and/or experienced labor, this country has tons of projects that can benefit from unskilled labor as well. U.S. Works will create these jobs – construction, landscaping, street maintenance, pressure washing, litter removal, trash/recycle collection, graffiti removal, hospitality, warehousing, retail, janitorial services, etc. – and will offer these services at a discounted rate to the public, from individuals to cities to businesses.
The revenue U.S. Works receives by charging for these services will reduce the overall cost of the program, and the services offered will provide an excellent way for businesses and communities to receive low-cost, quality labor while making a positive impact in their community.
Organize high-quality, highly accountable registered mentor and apprenticeship opportunities.
Implement a federal policy that guarantees workers paid time off to care for their new babies or for a sick family member.
Fully support new small business owners and entrepreneurs.
Provide significant transitional assistance to workers displaced by advances in technology and/or globalization.
Protect low‑income workers from monopsony and collusion.
Modernize labor laws through waivers from federal law to allow state experimentation.
Call on state and local governments to dismantle unjustified barriers to upward mobility caused by occupational licensing.