BUILDING THE FUTURE WORKFORCE - A STATE PLAYBOOK TO SHAPE A NEW AGE IN FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS - Introduction

Oct 15, 2026

A policy playbook outlining strategies for state policymakers and agency leaders to build a strong, diverse, and multigenerational workforce for the development and maintenance of U.S. infrastructure. It explains how implementing recommendations can connect more working people to quality jobs and deliver benefits to residents, businesses, and communities dependent on critical infrastructure. Core guidance includes workforce planning and assessment, industry partnerships, expanding skills training, incentivizing local hiring and advancement, removing participation barriers, and using race-, gender-, and geography-focused data for evidence-based decisions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages40

Reading Time1 h 41 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

An Infrastructure Renaissance and the Blueprint for a Diverse and Skilled Workforce

Growing Workforce Needs

Addressing Racial and Gender Disparities are Key to Maintaining and Growing the Infrastructure Workforce

How Federal Funding and State Advocacy Can Transform

New Federal Funding Streams Available for Workforce Development

Other Federal Funding Streams

Recommendations for States

Appendix

Endnotes

BUILDING THE FUTURE WORKFORCE A STATE PLAYBOOK TO SHAPE A NEW AGE IN FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This report was written by Patrick Mortiere, Melissa Johnson, Brooke DeRenzis, and Jeannine LaPrad of National Skills Coalition (NSC). The authors are grateful for the contribution of their NSC colleagues, including Amanda Bergson-Shilcock, Senior Fellow; Jeran Culina, Manager, Business Leaders United; Megan Evans, Senior Government Affairs Manager; Yasmin Fallakhair, Senior State Network Manager; Kate Kinder, State Strategies Director (West); Nicky Lauricella Coolberth, Senior Editor; Karina Paredes-Arzola, State Network Manager; Lindsey Reichlin Cruse, Senior Fellow of Postsecondary Education; Erin Sheehan, State Network Manager; and Katie Spiker, Managing Director of Government Affairs. The authors are grateful for Ebony Farrow, Manager at Pathways to Apprenticeship; Catherine Finnegan, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research and Reporting at Virginia Community College System; Emily Jones-Green, Credit for Prior Learning Coordinator at Virginia Community College System; Christopher Montgomery, Director at Syracuse Build; Shana Peschek, Executive Director at Machinists Institute; Jacqueline Rondeau, Employer Engagement Manager at Hampton Roads Workforce Council; Amanda Slosson, Senior Director for the Hampton Roads Workforce Training System at Hampton Roads Workforce Council; and Randy Stamper, Associate Vice Chancellor for Career Education and Workforce Programs at Virginia Community College System for providing their expert review and feedback. TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................... 3 AN INFRASTRUCTURE RENAISSANCE AND THE BLUEPRINT FOR A DIVERSE AND SKILLED WORKFORCE ......................................4 Growing Workforce Needs ............................................................................................... 5 Addressing Racial and Gender Disparities are Key to Maintaining and Growing the Infrastructure Workforce.......................................... 6 HOW FEDERAL FUNDING AND STATE ADVOCACY CAN TRANSFORM .................8 New Federal Funding Streams Available for Workforce Development ................ 9 Other Federal Funding Streams ....................................................................................10 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR STATES................................................................................13 APPENDIX ......................................................................................................................... 34 ENDNOTES ........................................................................................................................ 34 BUILDING THE FUTURE WORKFORCE 1 2 BUILDING THE FUTURE WORKFORCE INTRODUCTION T his policy playbook presents a comprehensive set of strategies aimed at empowering state policymakers, governors, and state agency leaders to cultivate a strong, diverse, and multigenerational workforce capable of driving the development and maintenance of our nation’s new infrastructure. By implementing the following recommendations, state policymakers can connect more working people to quality jobs and create benefits for residents, businesses, and communities that rely on the implementation and maintenance of critical infrastructure. 1. Building a strong infrastructure workforce plan and conducting a comprehensive workforce assessment in collaboration with local entities, including employers, unions, educational institutions, and community-based organizations, helps state policymakers bridge the gap between available jobs and qualified workers, thus creating more opportunities for individuals seeking quality jobs. 2. Fostering industry partnerships that bring together businesses, unions, training providers, and community organizations to develop workforce strategies

FAQs

What is the purpose of this state playbook?

It presents strategies for state policymakers to cultivate a strong, diverse, and multigenerational infrastructure workforce and support the development and maintenance of U.S. infrastructure.

How do the recommendations help connect people to quality jobs?

They focus on workforce planning and assessment, industry partnerships, skills training access, and incentives for training, hiring, and career advancement for local residents.

What role does data play in the playbook’s approach?

It emphasizes collecting comprehensive data on job quality, employment, and training outcomes with attention to race, gender, and geography to support evidence-based, community-tailored decisions.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Jordan Avery