The Case for Workforce Development Professionals

National Association of Workforce Development Professionals
(April 2008)

1. Background

   The National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP), the premier individual professional organization for people working in the Workforce Development industry, has designated May as National Workforce Development Professionals Month, to honor all those individual professionals who play such a vital role in our national economy.

   We in the profession are keenly aware that the competitiveness and economic vitality of our nation is now, more than ever before, dependent on the quality of the American workforce. Our nation's employers have gone from creating 166,000 new jobs in October 2007 to eliminating 63,000 jobs in February 2008. Bottom line, in February 2008, there were 7.4 million dislocated workers, which is an increase of 200,000 unemployed adults since October 2007.

   The complexity and fast-paced change in the labor market puts new demands on employees and employers at all levels. To remain competitive, well-prepared and qualified professionals are needed to facilitate the processes by which our workforce identifies, prepares for, obtains and maintains employment and self-sufficiency and our employers achieve and maintain a competitive advantage in global markets.

2. So, What Do Workforce Development Professionals Do?

   In short, Workforce Development Professionals make the system work for job seekers and for industry.    They match the needs of local employers with the skills of local job-seekers. When necessary, they help millions of citizens obtain the training necessary to succeed in an ever-changing workplace. We've set forth below what is just a partial list of key functions Workforce Development Professionals perform in the diverse local and regional labor markets across the country. As you read through them, you may very well think of others we should have included. We believe you will surely recognize many which are essential to a well functioning system.

   1. Research and analysis of labor markets and economic information
   2. Strategic and operational implementation planning to meet State, Regional and Local needs
   3. Building partnerships with industries, industry groups and key industry clusters or sectors to build or increase competitive advantage
   4. Providing information and analysis to economic development organizations, site locations specialists, and business attraction or retention prospects
   5. Providing staff support to business-led Workforce Investment Boards to enable them to bring to bear their strategic expertise and experience on regional workforce issues
   6. Screening and referral of applicants for new or expanding businesses
   7. Brokering relationships and training between business and educational training providers
   8. Training and skill development for both "hard" and "soft" skills
   9. Individual career planning advice and direction for a workforce ranging from displaced professional and technical employees to new entrants to the labor market
   10. Providing information and access to financial aid for training
   11. Case management and service planning, including access to required supportive services
   12. Peer exchange of best practices and professional development
   13. Youth development services on a multi-dimensional basis (e.g. remedial education, work readiness, life skills training, skill development, etc.)
   14. Job search and job club services
   15. Rapid response and reattachment for dislocated workers
   16. Workforce related literacy services
   17. Language acquisition services for limited English proficient individuals
   18. Job matching and job referral for applicants and employers
   19. Job analysis for employers
   20. Assessment of the skill development needs of incumbent work forces and identifying competitiveness gaps and training services to bridge them

   That gives you some idea of what our nation's Workforce Development Professionals do every day. We believe it's time to recognize their value, honor their contributions, and commit to their continued support. This is complex and valuable work, part of a profession which has matured and continues to develop. We hope our call for recognition through National Workforce Development Professionals Month will strike a responsive chord and bring support from political leadership, professional associations, business leaders and business organizations, educational agencies, economic development organizations, labor unions and customers who continue to benefit from our services across the country.

3. Who Are the Workforce Development Professionals and Where Do They Work?

   Workforce Development Professionals work in or for a very wide range of organizations including but not limited to:

   1. Local One-Stop Systems
   2. Faith and Community-Based Organizations
   3. Community and Technical Colleges
   4. Colleges and Universities
   5. Secondary and Post-Secondary Technical Schools
   6. Workforce Investment Boards
   7. Industry and Trade Associations
   8. Youth Service Organizations
   9. Federal and State Workforce Agencies
   10. Rehabilitation Agencies and Organizations
   11. Private for Profit Consultation and Management Companies
   12. Research and Analysis Organizations

       Within any or all of these organizations, funds may come from one or a combination of funding sources. They may be supported from Federal, State or Local tax funds. They may be pure private enterprises or supported from not-for-profit or philanthropic sources. It's part of the Workforce Development professional's responsibility to understand all aspects of this system and have the ability to pull all those elements together to serve the job seeker or employer customers.

4. The Challenge

   Workforce professionals need both a broad "core" set of knowledges, skills and abilities and specialized competencies around advanced skill areas. They need the structure, body of knowledge, code of ethics, and professional standards which characterize a maturing profession. We take this opportunity not only to advocate for our profession but also to encourage our colleagues to continue to raise the bar for their own performance and that of the system in which they work.

NAWDP is a national association for practitioners in the workforce development profession, with over 4,000 members. Its mission is to be the national voice for the profession and to meet the individual professional development needs of its membership. For more information, please contact NAWDP Executive Director, Bridget Brown at 202-589-1790 or bridget@nawdp.org