Helping Americans work more and gain skills for higher-paying jobs is vital for boosting mobility

Stagnant wages and low work participation are problems that must be solved in order to improve the labor market and encourage workers to seek prosperous careers that help them realize the American Dream. Chapter 4 in a comprehensive report from the AEI-Brookings Working Group on Poverty and Opportunity recommends several labor, safety net and job creation policies that will expand opportunities for workers from difficult socioeconomic backgrounds.