U.S. Conference of Mayors Workforce Development Council
About Us
Building the Workforce of the Future
The Workforce Development Council is an affiliate of The United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) and serves as the advisory board to develop priorities and recommend policy to the nation’s mayors with respect to the workforce system.
The WDC, unlike any other national organization, plays an active bipartisan role in representing workforce development issues and positioning them before mayors, congressional leaders, and members of the Administration. It provides a direct line to Washington, D.C., and assists in defining how the workforce system fits into workforce development initiatives of the Administration and the 119th Congress.
Advocacy & Policy
On Thursday, April 23, President Donald Trump signed the Executive Order (EO) “Preparing Americans for High-Paying Skilled Trade Jobs of the Future,” outlining the administration’s strategy to modernize and strengthen the federal workforce development system. The order aims to better align federal training programs with the evolving demands of the labor market, particularly in emerging industries, advanced manufacturing, and skilled trades. It emphasizes the importance of equipping workers with practical skills and the ability to engage with new technologies, including artificial intelligence, in support of a broader push to reindustrialize the American economy.
Testimonials
"The U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) Workforce Development Council (WDC) is a vital resource for mayors across the nation, providing practical expertise and policy recommendations to mayors to empower us as we build robust local economies. Through its extensive roster of local workforce experts, the WDC offers practical tools, real-time data, and best practices that assist in the development of effective local workforce strategies. Their dedication at the local level and recommendations on federal workforce policy make them a trusted advisory group and indispensable partner in our collective efforts to up-skill America’s workers and build the workforce of tomorrow."
Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves
"The WDC continues to be the most trusted workforce development policy resource for the nation’s mayors, and one I deeply value. WDC staff facilitates connections between mayors and congressional leaders, officials at the Department of Labor, and local workforce administrators, and provides invaluable insight into workforce trends and activities across the country. I've found their weekly newsletter and legislative updates critical to ensuring that mayors and their workforce staff are kept abreast of the latest developments on federal and local workforce issues. The WDC actively works to promote a legislative agenda and shape national policy to strengthen the local system. It is a trusted partner to mayors and a vital information conduit — and serves as a first-rate resource to strengthen the role of mayors in building strong and successful workforce programs."
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego
Resources & Publications
Partnership & Projects
USCM-Wells Fargo Small Business Initiative
The USCM-Wells Fargo Small Business Initiative is a multi-element strategy to promote mayoral leadership that establishes, supports and strengthens small business and entrepreneur ecosystems in cities by equipping small business owners and entrepreneurs with the tools, training, and access to capital needed to succeed in today's economy. Click here to learn more.
USCM-Comcast Talent for Tomorrow: Digital Equity Challenge
The 2024 Talent for Tomorrow: Digital Equity Challenge, developed by The U.S. Conference of Mayors in partnership with Comcast’s Project UP, will award a total of ten competitive grants to help cities expand local workforce and career readiness programs that provide digital access, improve economic mobility, and support digital skills and creativity. The grants will be awarded during the 2024 USCM 92nd Annual Meeting in Kansas City. Click here to learn more..
Contact Us
1620 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006