; and (B) may include one or more of the following: (i) Developing and implementing industry sector strategies (including strategies involving industry partnerships, regional skills alliances, industry skill panels, and sectoral skills partnerships). (ii) Developing and delivering innovative workforce investment services and strategies for area employers, which may include career pathways, skills upgrading, skill standard development and certification for recognized postsecondary credential or other employer use, apprenticeship, and other effective initiatives for meeting the workforce investment needs of area employers and workers. (iii) Assistance to area employers in managing reductions in force in coordination with rapid response activities provided under subsection (a)(2)(A) and developing strategies for the aversion of layoffs, which strategies may include early identification of firms at risk of layoffs, use of feasibility studies to assess the needs of and options for at-risk firms, and the delivery of employment and training activities to address risk factors. (iv) The marketing of business services offered under this title to appropriate area employers, including small and mid-sized employers. (v) Technical assistance or other support to employers seeking to implement skills-based hiring practices, which may include technical assistance on the use and validation of employment assessments, including competency-based assessments developed or identified by the State pursuant to paragraph (2)(B)(vii), and support in the creation of skills-based job descriptions. (vi) Other services described in this subsection, including providing information and referral to microenterprise services, as appropriate, and specialized business services not traditionally offered through the one-stop delivery system. . (d) Permissible local employment and training activities (1) Activities Section 134(d)(1)(A) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act ( 29 U.S.C. 3174(d)(1)(A) ) is amended— (A) by amending clause (iii) to