What Is Workforce Development?

The definition of workforce development is the overall method of increasing employees’ skills to benefit employees, businesses, the community, and their own career paths.

Individuals participating in workforce development can set themselves up for career success by finding areas where they can grow. Workforce development looks different at every company, but the program should tailor to individuals’ needs and interests.

Workforce development encompasses many fields, including community colleges, high schools, labor unions, nonprofits, local governments, and more. Workforce development includes internal programs, but initiatives designed to increase economic growth and career advancement also exist across the United States.

Workforce development systems benefit employees, workplaces, and communities in a few ways, including through:

1. 1. A higher rate of productivity: When employees feel burned out and stressed out, their productivity naturally decreases. This lack of focus hurts your employee’s ability to complete their work. But workforce development pinpoints ways to keep employees engaged, which can make them more excited about the work they do. In turn, this can reduce their stress.
2. 2. Increased employee retention: Companies with workforce development can experience less employee turnover because workers feel their workplaces value and invest in them. Without this program, employees might look for businesses that want to nurture their talents.
3. 3. More employee satisfaction: A workforce development program prioritizes employee well-being, which then increases their satisfaction at work. High employee satisfaction results in people wanting to stay at their jobs, having less stress, and higher quality of life.

Both job training and workforce development help employees with their career development, but they are not the same thing.

1. 1. Job training takes place over a short period. New hires typically participate in a short-term probation period as they get trained to perform their jobs. Workforce development opportunities, however, span the length of a person’s employment. Companies may begin retraining skilled employees before promoting or firing them.
2. 2. Workforce development is a transitional program. While job training helps workers understand their new job duties, workforce development helps them transition into different roles. These training programs help skilled workers gain the certifications and experience they need to advance their careers in the workplace.
3. 3. Workforce development includes more diverse skills training programs. Job training focuses on what employees need to understand to do their jobs, while workforce development focuses on the future. Workforce development includes diversity and inclusion training, conflict resolution training, and leadership training.

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