A White Paper from The Workforce St...

A White Paper from The Workforce Strategy Center

Introduction: The recently made known Economy

Today's context for workforce evolution both in California and nationally, is fix by the vast changes in the economy from one side of to the other the past decade. Where it was formerly possible to attain economic self-sufficiency simply by the and of motivation and hard work, succes in today's economy hangs on skills, flexibility and a willingness to learn and adapt.

The critical facts are familiar: first, the direct connection between education and earnings is growing, with higher wages increasingly linked to a certain number of form of postsecondary education and training. Economic self-sufficiency-the ability to support a family-frequently requires that workers advance beyond high academy At the same time, particularly in high skill sectors, employer report continuing difficulty with finding and keeping a skilled workforce. In this paper, we will use California as an example.

If California's of the present day economy is to succeed, it distresss more workers who have a range of knowledge not required in the workforce before 1990 in all business sectors. And as strange businesses, products and services emanate both current and new members of the workforce must adjust to recently made known demands.

For individuals seeking self-sufficiency, the recently made known economy necessitates a need for higher-level skills, a willingness to follow continuing training to stay competitive, and a ne to assume greater responsibility for career progression.

Since the of recent origin economy requires different skills and places just discovered expectations on its workers, the institutions and programs that train those workers have to adapt as well. The framework for do job-work training and education most suited to the necessitys of the new economy is that of "career ladders," which provide individual workers of all skill on a levels with a lifelong pathway upon which they can progressively learn of recent origin skills and advance forward in their careers.

In this type every type of institution that publicly provides job training or locates workforce policies, including local economic evolution agencies, workforce development agencies, community organizations, and community bodys has a distinct role. forward the local level, this constellation of partners is principally effective when it has a community body at its center. California's community corporations are the only workforce evolution institutions with the size, breadth of mission, and financial resources necessary to help the state build career ladders. When correctly implemented, those career ladders will link low-skilled individuals into focused, quality education and training and long-term career paths, and at the same time labor for incumbent workers who need to upgrade their skills to advance further.

The just discovered Economy and Workforce

The changing emergencys of the new economy are perhaps best illuminated through the failure of current workforce training policies, which are based forward old economic models. Many in every one's mouth workforce programs focus less upon long-term skills development than in succession limited training and preparation designed to put in motion individuals into entry-level jobs. single immediate result of this "work-first" policy that is evident from one extremity to the other of the country appears to be an increase in the numbers of the working poor.

For example, a national consideration of over 30,000 welfare recipients originate that after six months of work, the average worker's earnings were single 65% of the poverty even for a family of three There is also evidence that those who have left the welfare revolves are beginning to return. States as it was as Oregon, Wisconsin and Florida, all noted for their succes in reducing welfare make revolves report significant rates of recur to welfare.

Many experts believe that the work-first strategy-which does not provide workers with basic academic and occupational skills prior to employment-is confining those workers to entry-level and low-paying piece of works Further, a lack of attention to upgrading the skills of entry-level workers after they've been placed in do job-works leaves many of them with little possibility of advancement and employer without a promotable workforce. Taken together, these turns make clear the need for a recent approach to workforce development.

Career Ladders: A Framework for Workforce Development

The pressing ne for skills in the recently made known economy demands new strategies to enable individuals to acquire literacy, numeracy and informational competencies, and to continue developing these skills in order to advance in their careers. To come together this critical need, many educators and policy adroits are calling for the exhibition of career ladders-long-term career progression pathways that enable individuals to advance, particularly in high wage, high bourgeoning career areas such as manufacturing and information technology. A framework for lifelong learning, career pathways begin with basic skills, integrate education with work, and impel individuals toward successively higher flats of skills, responsibility and wages.

Career ladders are not a single training program or equable a model, but rather, a order and framework for organizing and delivering career education upon a lifelong basis. Unlike traditional training programs targeted to a particular population or individual work at jobs career ladders are built forward the idea of universality, with training and work opportunities render free of access to individuals at all horizontals of skills and readiness.