Introduction
Employer engagement has always been a cornerstone of workforce development, but in today’s rapidly evolving economy, it’s no longer just a priority—it’s an imperative. The industries driving economic growth—advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, biotechnology—require specialized skills, and without strong collaboration between educational institutions and employers, the workforce cannot keep pace.
At Workforce Connect, I’ve seen firsthand how employer engagement transforms not just programs, but entire communities. It’s not just about filling jobs—it’s about creating long-term partnerships that align workforce initiatives with economic growth. In this month’s “Workforce Minutes with Marty,” I’ll break down why employer engagement is more critical than ever and offer actionable steps to strengthen these relationships.
The Stakes: Why Employer Engagement is Essential
Employers are the end-users of workforce development programs, and their input is the key to designing programs that work. Without it, institutions risk creating training initiatives that don’t align with real-world needs.
Here’s why employer engagement is essential today:
- Bridging Skills Gaps: Industries are facing unprecedented skills shortages, particularly in high-demand fields like IT, advanced manufacturing, and healthcare. Employers can provide critical insights into the skills they need most.
- Driving Program Relevance: Employer input ensures that training programs remain relevant as technology, processes, and market demands evolve.
- Strengthening Economic Impact: When employers and institutions work together, they create a stronger local workforce, which drives economic growth and attracts further investment to the region.
What Effective Employer Engagement Looks Like
The AdvanceNC consortium is addressing this challenge by acting as a bridge between employers, workforce boards and educational institutions, fostering partnerships that prioritized alignment and agility. I supported their development of the AdvanceNC.com platform, which facilitates data sharing, program development, and outreach to ensure that upskilling efforts are both targeted and effective, including the development of:
- Advisory Boards: Employers play an active role in shaping curriculum by serving on advisory boards and providing real-time feedback on program performance.
- Future Internships and Apprenticeships: Partnering with employers to offer real-world experience gives students the chance to apply their skills while building the pipeline of job-ready talent employers need.
- Resource Sharing: Many employers are eager to provide tools, equipment, and funding for programs that align with their workforce needs.
Success in Action: AdvanceNC’s Employer Engagement Model
AdvanceNC provides a powerful example of what’s possible when institutions and employers work together. Through partnerships with corporations like Wolfspeed, AdvanceNC has not only aligned training programs with high-demand skills but also fostered deeper engagement through customized training, curriculum co-development, and equipment donations.
This model showcases how sustained collaboration between employers and workforce professionals can address immediate needs while preparing for long-term challenges.
How Workforce Professionals Can Strengthen Employer Engagement
Here are three actionable strategies workforce professionals can use to build better employer relationships:
- Engage Early and Often: Don’t wait until a program is designed to bring employers into the conversation. Start at the idea stage to ensure alignment from the ground up.
- Offer Value: Employers want to see a return on their investment in workforce programs. Showcase how your initiatives reduce their hiring and onboarding costs, improve retention, or fill critical roles.
- Use Technology to Build Partnerships: Platforms like Workforce Connect make it easier to manage employer relationships, track progress, and adapt programs based on real-time data.
Looking Ahead
In today’s economy, workforce development is a team sport. The institutions that prioritize employer engagement will lead the way in creating training programs that work for everyone—students, employers, and communities alike.
As a workforce professional, you have the opportunity to be that bridge between talent and opportunity. With the right partnerships, the possibilities are limitless.
Let’s keep building the future, one connection at a time.
Marty Lessmann is the Chief Experience Officer and Co-Founder of Workforce Connect. Each month, Marty shares his expertise on workforce development trends, strategies, and success stories to help professionals create impactful programs.