The US workforce is feeling the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, which shrunk the labor force in an already historically tight labor market. It is facing a period of profound transformation. With the reopening of the US economy, labor force participation has not fully recovered due to a record number of quits—and many Baby Boomers are opting for an earlier retirement. With job openings at record highs and unemployment at new lows, what trends should employers and policymakers expect as the nation works to rebuild its labor force? What initiatives should be undertaken to increase workforce participation? What role should immigration reform play in addressing these challenges? 

Join Trustees, senior policy officials, and experts from the Committee for Economic Development, the public policy center of The Conference Board (CED), for the CED Policy Watch roundtable webcast on the historically tight labor market and both long-term and pandemic-related trends impacting the US workforce. Our distinguished panelists will share insights on how to address the challenges of a tight labor market.

Among the key issues that will be addressed:

• The pandemic’s ongoing mark: In what ways has COVID-19 accelerated the trends slowing the growth of the workforce and changed the way employers and policymakers address the challenges? 
• Looking ahead: How are long-term demographic trends and immigration policy impacting the US workforce?
• Increasing participation: What are some strategies that business leaders and policy makers can take so American businesses can find the talent they need?
• Immigration reform: Are immigration policy changes needed to help reverse the long-term trends shrinking the US labor force?
• A policy approach: What can policymakers and business leaders do to rebuild America’s workforce and increase US global competitiveness?