Employers are looking for practical ways to improve job quality, remove barriers, and strengthen talent pipelines for improved attraction and retention, but the tools to do so are still emerging. In this hands-on session, Serena Jezior and Ian Marks from Greater Cleveland Works, along with Isaac Smoak from United Way of Metro Chicago, will showcase some evolving efforts across Cleveland and Chicago, including an Employment Quality Tool prototype and Barrier Removal Fund to support trainees and workers, as well as highlights from initiatives that help large companies commit to neighborhoods and they make hiring and investment decisions.