About WDPs

Workforce Development Professionals … what do they do?

So, What Do Workforce Development Professionals Do?

In short, Workforce Development Professionals make the system work. 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.

A. Research and analysis of labor markets and economic information

B. Strategic and operational implementation planning to meet State, Regional and Local needs

C. Facilitating and leading community, regional, and statewide partnerships and collaborations to align resources in support of key strategies

D. Public policy issue management for local and regional communities

E. Building partnerships with industries, industry groups and key industry clusters or sectors to build or increase competitive advantage

F. Providing information and analysis to economic development organizations, site locations specialists, and business attraction or retention prospects

G. 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

H. Screening and referral of applicants for new or expanding businesses

I. Brokering relationships and training between business and educational training providers

J. Training and skill development for both "hard" (occupational specific) and "soft" (job survival skills)

K. Building and maintaining one-stop partnerships and coalitions

L. Fiscal and administrative management of often complex and contractual funding sources to assure accountability, transparency and audit integrity

M. Individual career planning advice and direction for a workforce ranging from displaced professional and technical employees to new entrants to the labor market

N. Providing information and access to financial aid for training

O. Case management and service planning, including access to required supportive services

P. Peer exchange of best practices and professional development

Q. Youth development services on a multi-dimensional basis (e.g. remedial education, work readiness, life skills training, skill development, etc.)