There’s No Economic Development Without Workforce Development

The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ASPA as an organization.

By Daa’iyah Salaam
November 25. 2024

Economic development is commonly defined as the sustained, concerted actions taken by communities to promote the standard of living and economic health of a specific area. This includes initiatives aimed at job creation, business retention, economic growth and improving the quality of life for residents. However, many municipalities fail to emphasize a crucial component within their economic plans: workforce development.

Time and time again, whether in public stakeholder sessions involving the general community, small business owners or representatives from larger corporations, workforce development emerges as a universal concern. It is a topic that resonates across diverse community sectors. Yet, without a strong focus on workforce development, economic growth is difficult, if not impossible, to achieve.

Workforce development does not start when individuals enter the job market; it begins in the K-12 educational system. These early stages are critical for positioning students to pursue post-secondary skill building. Unfortunately, while many communities speak to the importance of economic growth, they rarely invest in creating a pipeline that starts in schools and extends to higher education, training programs and career readiness.

Technical colleges are often at the forefront of workforce development. They provide targeted programs that equip individuals with the skills and certifications needed for in-demand careers. Yet, despite their importance, strategic collaboration between municipalities and technical colleges remains sparse. Few cities and towns incorporate technical colleges into their economic strategies to build the skilled workforce necessary for sustainable development. This oversight leaves communities underprepared to meet the demands of new and existing businesses seeking a capable labor pool.

Public administrators play an essential role in bridging this gap. They are uniquely positioned to lead the charge in aligning educational initiatives with economic strategies and creating partnerships between local governments, educational institutions and businesses. By integrating workforce development priorities into economic plans, public administrators can champion policies and programs that ensure their communities have the workforce needed to support and retain local businesses.

Education has always been the strongest foundation for economic development. However, it is often relegated to a secondary focus in community development plans. When education, particularly skills-based and technical training, is prioritized, it helps communities retain local talent and attract businesses that contribute to economic vitality. By creating an environment for a strong educational framework that emphasizes skill development, public administrators can help create talent pipelines that supports sustained economic growth.

Even if previous efforts have not focused extensively on K-12 education, public administrators can begin where they are, leveraging the people and resources already present in their communities to create tailored workforce strategies. These strategies can evolve over time, adapting to the changing needs of local industries and demographic shifts. Starting with existing assets and building partnerships between schools, technical colleges and the business community is a practical step forward.

Communities often express a desire to retain their businesses, and having a strong, skilled workforce is a key factor in achieving this. Businesses want stability, and a reliable, well-trained workforce supports their operations and growth. Additionally, when it comes to attracting new businesses, especially larger enterprises, one of the determining factors is whether a community has a qualified workforce. This aspect can be the difference between a business choosing to set up in your community or in a neighboring one.

Public administrators can take the lead in advocating for and implementing comprehensive education-to-workforce pipelines. Investing in K-12 education with a strategic approach that feeds into post-secondary technical training and skill-building programs will position communities for long-term success. By aligning workforce development with economic goals, public administrators can help attract and retain businesses, creating an ecosystem where economic and community growth go hand in hand.

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Author: Daa’iyah Salaam is a third-year Public Administration Doctoral student at Valdosta State University and is a Senior Strategy & Policy Analyst with the Chief Talent Management Office with the Department of Defense for Personnel & Readiness. Daa’iyah is also a Black Belt Six Sigma Practitioner. [email protected]
 

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