Workforce development refers to the strategies and programs aimed at preparing individuals for employment, enhancing their skills, and ensuring they have the tools necessary to thrive in the job market. It involves a comprehensive approach that includes education, training, and support services to help people achieve economic self-sufficiency. At St. Vincent & Sarah Fisher Center (SVSF), we provide educational programs and skill-building opportunities designed to empower at-risk children and adults in Detroit, MI.
What Is Workforce Development?
Workforce development encompasses a range of activities, policies, and programs designed to create, sustain, and retain a viable workforce. According to the Global Social Development Innovations (GSDI) at UNC, workforce development involves improving the economic well-being of communities by fostering a skilled and adaptable labor force. This can include anything from vocational training and adult education to job placement services and career counseling.
The primary goals of workforce development are to:
- Enhance individual skills and employability.
- Meet the labor needs of employers.
- Support economic growth and community development.
Different Types of Workforce Development Programs
Workforce development programs can be categorized into various models and perspectives, each addressing distinct aspects of the labor market and aiming to meet specific needs.
Individual Focused Models
Individual-focused workforce development programs concentrate on enhancing the skills, education, and employment opportunities for individuals. These programs typically include:
- Adult Education and Literacy Programs: Helping adults improve their basic skills and obtain educational credentials.
- Job Training and Certification: Providing specific skills training and certifications for in-demand jobs.
- Career Counseling and Job Placement Services: Offering guidance and support in finding and securing employment.
Societal Centric Perspective
From a societal-centric perspective, workforce development aims to address broader economic and social issues. These programs focus on:
- Reducing Unemployment and Underemployment: Creating job opportunities and pathways for those who are unemployed or underemployed.
- Promoting Economic Growth: Supporting industries and sectors that drive economic development. Also, when an individual becomes employed, they add to the tax base.
- Enhancing Community Well-being: Improving the quality of life through better employment opportunities and increased economic stability.
- Familial Benefits: When someone become employed, it changes a family culture and works toward breaking the intergenerational cycle of poverty.
Organizational Perspective
Organizational-focused workforce development programs target the needs of businesses and industries. They work to:
- Increase Workforce Productivity: Enhancing the skills and efficiency of the current workforce.
- Address Skill Gaps: Providing training that aligns with the specific needs of employers.
- Support Employee Retention: Implementing strategies to keep employees engaged and reduce turnover.
Obstacles for Those Entering Workforce Programs
Individuals who desire to enter the workforce or elevate their skill set within the workforce often meet familial, societal, and economic barriers such as:
- Fear.
- Lack of understanding of process and available resources.
- No support in family culture such as empowerment, encouragement, motivating courage.
At SVSF Center, we work with our students to explain the process, provide encouragement that this is a “long game,” dissipate discouragement and address the unspoken fears that arise from their own circumstances and traumas.
