Healthy Housing Workforce Toolkit: Implement Policy & Incentives
Establishing new industry partnerships, reaching targeted populations and attracting employers are common challenges for cities looking to develop their workforce pipeline. Available federal, state and local incentives can increase the number of businesses offering apprenticeships and the number of apprenticeships available through tax credits and subsidies that will reduce the costs of workforce and apprenticeship programs. Many current grant opportunities that support the development of healthy housing programs also provide funding and incentives to develop a workforce program.
Incentives reduce the overall cost of these programs while also yielding additional benefits. According to a report by the Urban Institute (PDF)44 incentives can support workforce and apprenticeships by:
- Attracting employers to apprenticeships and increasing the number of apprentices
- Helping employers reach underrepresented populations
- Expanding apprenticeships in nontraditional industries and occupations
- Using intermediaries to support expansion
Tools and Resources
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)45 offers unique plans based on the state that support the development of new workforce pipelines. The act offers strategic and operational planning elements as well as funding and incentives for programs to introduce high-quality training programs to hire and retain employees. Review your WIOA State plan here.46
Local leaders are encouraged to engage with their local workforce development boards to identify partners and existing resources in their area. Cities can then reference their local WIOA plans, which will be more designed and take into consideration the challenges experienced at the local level than a state plan in most cases.
End Notes
44 “State Incentives to Promote and Support Apprenticeship: Takeaways from Eight States.”
45 “Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.”
46 “Homepage | WIOA State Plan Portal.”