Employment and Jobs

WIOA, Employee Ownership, and Good Jobs: How Workforce Legislation Can Support Employee-Owned Companies and Boost Job Quality

October 9, 2024  • Matt Helmer & Maureen Conway

Download Publication
View this Publication
Download PDF

Descripton

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) was designed to help workers move “into high-quality jobs and careers and help employers hire and retain skilled workers.” A decade after its passage, however, it is clear that WIOA has often missed the mark in supporting workers’ success in accessing quality jobs or in effectively serving the high-road employers who provide good jobs. Meanwhile, numerous studies have shown that employee-owned companies provide higher-quality jobs, including higher wages, better benefits, increased retention, and greater opportunities for training and development. If legislators are serious about using WIOA to support quality jobs and good employers, then stronger efforts to support employee-owned companies would be a great place to start. This brief outlines the opportunity and the steps to achieve this goal.


Learn More

The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program hosts a variety of discussions to advance strategies, policies, and ideas to help low- and moderate-income people thrive in a changing economy. To learn about upcoming events and webinars, join our mailing list and follow us on social media.