Acting Secretary, Maryland Department of Social and Economic Mobility
Bio:
Walter Simmons is the Acting Secretary of the Maryland Department of Social & Economic Mobility, the first cabinet-level agency in the United States focused on removing structural barriers to upward mobility. Before serving as the agency’s first secretary, Walter spent over 15 years as a front-line workforce development professional in SC, DC, and MD. Walter founded Employ Prince George’s and served as the Executive Director of the Prince George’s County Workforce Development Board for 7 years.
What is your vision for the workforce development profession?
I envision the Workforce Development Profession as a career that provides service-minded professionals with the opportunity to serve and transform communities, offer a livable wage, and opportunities for growth. To achieve this vision, I am committed to working to develop career pathways for workforce development professionals, identify and cultivate opportunities with post-secondary institutions, grow NAWDP’s existing professional development efforts, and advocate to increase our value.
Do you have a particular interest area or passion in workforce development?
I am interested in programming for workforce development professionals, developing certifications for workforce development executives, creating career pathways, and advocacy.
Why do you want to serve on the Board?
Workforce development has shaped my life and career. It has helped me purchase homes, develop professionally, and reach the highest levels of local and state government, while also serving thousands of businesses and residents. I want to serve on the Board to ensure others like me are afforded these opportunities and be a workforce development professional.
What do you think is the biggest challege facing the profession today and how can NAWDP address that challenge?
The greatest challenges for the workforce development profession today is a lack of understanding and the subsequent devaluing of workforce development and the lack of clear career progressions in workforce development that makes the industry less attractive and have a large attrition rates.