Jobs policy in the US has evolved over the years as its focus has changed from job creation to job training to job placement. Placement however only works if there are jobs for the unemployed to be placed in.

With few jobs available in recent years due to the economic crisis, the weakness of the current focus has been exposed. What America needs, Mary Gatta argues in her new book, is a new jobs policy. ‘All I want is a Job!‘ should be ‘required reading for anyone interested in low wage work, labor markets, social welfare policy and economic development’ says Stephanie Luce reviewing the book for Gender & Society.