President Biden Seeks to Modernize Workforce Training. You Should Too.
April 7, 2021
The pandemic accelerated the digital transformation – leaving many workers with outdated skills and resumes. In pursuit of rebuilding the economy, the Biden Administration is exploring how apprenticeship programs and workforce training can be leveraged to help millions of people searching for work but unable to find suitable jobs. Their goal is to bring workforce training into the future and develop systems that help educate America's workforce on in-demand skills.
Modernizing workforce training is high on President Joe Biden's to-do list. Specifically, President Biden proposed putting $50 billion into workforce training. This funding is designed to create partnerships among community colleges, businesses, unions, universities, and high schools, as well as state, local, and tribal governments [1]. In 2021, adult employment and training activities received $862.65 M and in 2022 this is expected to rise to $899.98 M [2].
The Workforce Innovations Opportunity Act (WIOA) was created to support, strengthen, and improve the United States public workforce system. 55% of participants in WIOA customized training were employed one year after completion and earned $16.5K more per year than their peers who did not participate [3]. Of all WIOA funding, WIOA programs and activities received 54% ($5.5 B) [3]. The $5.5B went to the following programs and activities [3]:
$2.8 B for youth, adults, and dislocated worker training and employment activities
$1.7 B for Job Corps programs
$633 M for national programs
At the state level, states like Michigan recognize that they must step in to help close the skill and labor gap. The Governor of Michigan, Gretchen Whitmer, recently requested a budget of $1.2 B in new funding for programs that will help individuals and businesses recover from COVID-19 [4]. Of that budget, $27 M is planned to go towards going pro and workforce development [4]. The Governor’s Executive Recommendation continues to invest $192.4 million for Sixty by 30 Initiatives. This is a general fund to accelerate the State’s progress towards reaching the goal of 60% of Michiganders with a postsecondary degree or industry credential by 2030 [4]. Additionally, $47.3 M would go towards workforce development and the mobility futures initiative to expand training opportunities to more Michigan workers and help close the skills gap facing Michigan employers and invest in new and emerging mobility platforms [4]. Of the $47.3 M, $15 M would go towards Going Pro (all general fund) to further expand employer-based training grants that result in industry recognized credentials and certificates [4].
An influx of funds would give new life to the training capabilities of these groups. The funding would provide them with the resources to develop smart partnerships that enable the modernization of training programs and include a curriculum on in-demand skills [5]. Biden's campaign website mentions that workforce training programs could be in the form of short courses, like micro-courses— the trending delivery method of upskilling and training programs, or long-form programs, all of which would ideally lead to an industry-recognized credential.
Groups like The Society for Human Resource Management believe that public policy and government investment are necessary to modernize workplace training and empower employers to become innovative. Rob Garcia, manager of Business Leaders United for Workforce Partnerships with the Washington, D.C. based National Skills Coalition, says that "Biden's commitment to investing in the U.S. workforce is an encouraging sign for businesses to find, train and retain the workers they need" [6].
There is currently an opportunity in the pipeline for this campaign goal to become a reality. President Biden endorses the National Apprenticeship Act of 2021. The Act has passed the House and is moving onto the Senate. If passed, the Act is believed to have profound positive implications for modernizing workforce training in the United States. The House Education and Labor Committee estimates that it will create nearly 1 million new apprenticeship opportunities and move workforce training into the future [7]. This government aid is a step in the right direction and will offer much-needed support in the battle against a widening skills gap.
With the skills gap expanding more every day, the need for workforce training and apprenticeship programs are at an all-time high. "A third of U.S. employers say the skills gap has increased compared to last year, and 80 percent of employers say they have difficulty filling openings due to skills gaps as opposed to a year ago" [8]. The way to solve this problem, get people working, and strengthening current workforces is to upskill. Companies that upskill will be positioned for a more prosperous future of work.
How Can Your Company Launch a Workforce Training Program for Your Employees Easily and Quickly?
Workforce training is an essential step in preparing your workforce for success. It is a vital aspect of a healthy economy and business since it is a high priority to President Biden's campaign. Forward-thinking companies will recognize that establishing a workforce training program at their company is beneficial to the company's bottom line. Not only will upskilling employees make them more productive it will also help lower turnover. Companies can keep high-performing employees at a time when hiring people with the perfect qualifications is rare. The way to easily establish a workforce training program is by partnering with a company that can deliver a fully managed program completely customized to your business.
Here are the key features to look for when choosing a platform:
Custom platform branded to your company
Customized content that is relevant to your workforce
Engaging delivery methods that keep employees actively learning
Positive user experience and high retention rates
Fully managed systems capable of immediate implementation with no learning curve
Establishing a partnership to provide your workforce training program will result in significant benefits for your company. You will see a massive return on investment. It is time to start a workforce training program at your company.
Amesite Offers a Single, Easy to Use, Scalable Solution
Launch a fully managed workforce training program that helps your employees upskill, improving productivity, retention, and culture.
Amesite is a high-tech AI-powered online learning platform. We specialized in scalable, custom branded online learning environments and content curation to meet employer's unique needs workforce training needs.
Amesite's online learning platform is the key to upskilling your workforces and providing professional development and career advancement opportunities for your employees. Leveraging workforce training can result in benefits like increased employee loyalty and performance—a win-win for your company and your employees.
Amesite's online learning environment is custom branded to each specific company to build brand loyalty and meet the unique needs of the employer and their employees. We have subject matter experts who design innovative and custom content for courses that provide excellent value to your employees. Your custom branded learning platform can launch in as little as 24 hours, and a host of turnkey, self-paced, highly engaging, and intuitive courses can be ready for your company in as little as 30 days. Establishing a workforce training program has never been easier!
With Amesite, you can:
Deploy a fully managed enterprise learning platform plus customized courses that enable you to deliver job-specific certifications quickly and efficiently for your staff.
Attract and keep employees engaged with social media-inspired interface design and the most up-to-date content.
Build employee networks that improve your organization's success.
Use A.I. and machine learning to identify trends and make informed decisions while upskilling your teams with comprehensive data analytics and customizable dashboards.
Amesite creates outstanding learning experiences delivered on its advanced platform, providing an excellent user experience for employees. Using A.I. and advanced analytics to provide fresh content and creates an important context for learning. Partnering with Amesite to provide your workforce training program is a smart decision for your company. Amesite's unprecedented retention rate in the enterprise sector is 100%.
Let Amesite help you prepare for the future of work today! Request a Demo!
Don't forget to subscribe below and follow us on social to be the first to know about new resources, updates, news, and more! Find Amesite on: Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram!
[3] Congressional Research Service. January 21, 2021. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and the One-Stop Delivery System. https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R44252. Accessed October 12, 2021.
