Workforce education and training provides organized instruction, training, and learning programs to prepare people for careers. Employers, educational institutions, government agencies, and non-profits provide workforce education and training programs.
These programs are designed to meet the needs of individuals who want to learn new skills or upgrade existing skills so that they can enter or remain in the workforce.
Defining workforce education and training
Workforce education and training is all about connecting learning and work.
It is more than just the acquisition of new skills. It's about preparing workers for current careers and jobs that don't exist yet as well as equipping them with the necessary knowledge to adapt as the industry changes.
Workforce education and training isn't just for entry-level employees; it can help anyone looking to change careers or break into a new field. For example, you want to become a software engineer but have no coding experience. In that case, you might need some basic programming classes before getting into your official training program at a company like Google or Facebook.
Why is workforce education and training important today?
Workforce education and training is essential today because of the changing nature of work. The internet, globalization, and automation are creating a new type of workforce where workers must quickly adapt to new technologies and methods.
Workforce education and training helps people find employment after graduation or when they have been unemployed for some time. It also helps them get better jobs with higher pay or promotions within their current job.
Who offers workforce education and training?
There are many types of organizations, both public and private, that provide workforce education and training offerings. These include:
- higher education providers
- career and technical education providers
- industry associations / continuing and professional education
- workforce development non-profits
- government
- businesses / internal training and development
- private providers
While each of these types of organizations provides workforce education and training, the future of successful career up-skilling and re-skilling will be realized through authentic and meaningful collaborations between multiple organizations working together to address common workforce needs.
Future directions and trends in workforce education and training
As we are seeing in the workforce, there are many needs for quality and flexible education and training.
The future of such training will be supported by technology, driven by the economy and industry needs, and mutually benefit individuals, organizations, and society.
For example, employers will seek out new ways to support their employees with higher-level skills aligned with their company's culture & business strategy. This will also include unique pathways between education and employment.
Educational institutions will need to develop person-centered methods that can meet diverse learners' needs throughout their lives from childhood through adulthood. This will also include people like retirees who want to re-enter the workforce after retirement and need additional knowledge and skills to start a new career.
Workforce education and training is, and will remain, a strategic element to individual, business, and economic growth. A clear strategy and thoughtful approach to workforce investments will ensure continued and long-term success.