Can the Federal Government Help Grow a Robust Workforce in your Community?

Can the Federal Government Help Grow a Robust Workforce in your Community?

International Economic Development Council


Federal Economic Development Forum Sunday Programming to Focus on Workforce Development

Federal Economic Development Forum
March 23-25
Washington, DC
Register today!

This year’s Federal Economic Development Forum Sunday programming will focus entirely on workforce development. Join your peers and learn how to rebuild the skills of the workers of your declining industries and help them become the workers of your emerging, restructuring industries.

How does the federal government plan to help local economic developers adapt their workforce and industries to meet current and future demands? Congress has shown that investing in America’s workers is a top legislative priority. Employers want to expand and create new jobs, but need a properly skilled workforce to fill new positions. Training a workforce that is equipped to meet the demands of competing in an ever-evolving global economy needs to be a focus for all economic development professionals.  Register today for our Federal Forum and join us for….

ED Interactive - Economic Developers, Meet Workforce Developers
Sunday, March 23
1:00 pm - 2:45 pm

You've heard of speed dating, this is our spin on that idea. The concept is simple: direct interaction with federal officials and thought leaders covering a current hot topic. After brief introductions, small group discussions will spark dialogue and exchanges of ideas between economic and workforce developers – policy makers and practitioners – until the bell rings and it is time to rotate to the next discussion. 

Plenary Session: Workforce & Economic Development: Birds of a Feather
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

The IEDC Member Survey rates 'Workforce Development' as the top issue facing the profession now and in the future. The Economic Development Research Partnership has already released one report on Workforce, and a deeper dive, policy oriented report is due out later this year. Economic developers need to plug into the relationship between federal, state, and local players to open the pipeline of trained workers to growing businesses. This session will focus on how economic developers can fully leverage existing programs and learn about the latest policy developments. 

Our Expert Workforce Development Speakers Include (more to come!): 

Invited: Scott Cheney
Senior Advisor
Workforce and Business Development
United States Senate
Committee on the Budget
Washington, D.C. 

Ronald Painter
Chief Executive Officer
National Association of Workforce Boards
Washington, D.C. 

We’re Also Offering a 2 Day Training on Workforce Development Prior to the Forum

Workforce Development
March 20-21, 2014 │ Washington, DC Metro Area
Register today

Skilled workers are the backbone of a productive and efficient economy. This versatile course explains the strong relationship between economic and workforce development through case studies, practical examples, and current research. Course participants will learn what programs currently leverage federal, state, and local financial resources to support workforce development. Learn about what collaborative programs will help upgrade the skills of your community's existing workforce. Other topics of discussion will include: talent attraction, K-12 development and integration, occupational analysis, target industry clusters, and more.

Be Sure to Check-Out the Latest Report – Covering Workforce Development – from the Economic Development Research Partners (EDRP) Program

Raising the Bar Together: Successful Strategies for Workforce and Economic Development Collaboration 

A community’s workforce is of fundamental importance for economic growth. To meet the needs of today’s companies, and to sufficiently educate workers for the demands of the knowledge economy, economic development organizations must collaborate with workforce development organizations and other stakeholders, including their partners in business and education. IEDC’s paper, “Raising the Bar Together: Successful Strategies for Workforce and Economic Development Collaboration” distills best practices in collaborative efforts that leverage the strengths and resources of all partners to create a sustainable labor force.

The report is available via download to IEDC members free of charge and for sale in print to nonmembers at $35.00.

Posted January 17, 2014



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