Labor Force Development and Job Creation

When a private enterprise considers relocation or expansion, it needs to be assured that the new location has a reliable labor force. Local governments can effectively assist in matching the labor demand and supply in the market. Well-trained, educated labor will help expand existing or attract new businesses bringing new jobs to the community.

When a private enterprise considers relocation or expansion, it needs to be assured that the new location has a reliable labor force. Local governments can effectively assist in matching the labor demand and supply in the market. Well trained, educated labor will help expand existing or attract new businesses bringing new jobs to the community.

  • ICMA is implementing a worker training program in Afghanistan that targets youth—a strategy that provides labor for small infrastructure projects and jobs for residents and also helps connect youth to the areas in which they live.
  • In Bulgaria, ICMA facilitated the development of the Gabrovo Youth Information Center and improved access to education and employment services for young people.
  • ICMA worked with Pancevo, Serbia, to maximize the economic development potential of the Port of Pancevo, where it was estimated that 28,000 jobs could be created through build-out of the port and surrounding acreage.
  • ICMA supported the city of Kragujevac, Serbia, to create a stable local economic base. When the main industrial company in Kragujevac was transitioning from state to private ownership, 15,000 jobs were threatened. ICMA created a business support strategy with the city to cultivate small businesses and programs to provide assistance to startup small businesses that accompanied the government loans given to workers whose jobs were eliminated.
  • ICMA supported the creation of over 3,500 jobs in Bulgaria as a result of a comprehensive LED program that helped the partner municipalities establish new economic development offices, train new LED professional staff, create business visitation and expansion programs and effective marketing strategies, develop business incubators and industrial parks, and develop an LED certification program.