Applying a Shared Approach to Workforce Development

Strong sector partnerships begin with understanding regional workforce priorities, recognizing the value each partner brings to the table, and building relationships around shared goals that support employers, job seekers, and the communities they serve.

As employers place greater emphasis on skills-based hiring, the public workforce system plays an important role in supporting this shift by connecting job seekers with career pathways and employers with skilled talent. Meeting both needs requires a willingness to think differently about how workforce resources are developed, communicated, and delivered.

Workforce Development Boards (WDBs) and American Job Centers (AJCs) are uniquely positioned to lead this effort. Their relationships with employers, educators, and community organizations provide a foundation for developing regional workforce strategies. But their role also presents an opportunity to make existing services more visible, accessible, and relevant to the people and businesses they serve.

Creating opportunities is only part of the equation. Employers and job seekers need to understand what resources are available and how to access them. For businesses, that may include recruitment assistance, incumbent worker training, work-based learning, and other workforce services. More intentional outreach and open conversations can uncover needs, strengthen relationships, and connect people with resources they may not have known existed.

Developing effective sector partnerships also means engaging employers and training providers early, before solutions are determined. Employers help identify the skills and competencies they need, while training providers can help develop or adapt programs to meet those demands. Bringing community organizations into these conversations helps ensure that training pathways also reflect the realities facing job seekers, including transportation, childcare, housing instability, and financial barriers.

This kind of proactive planning creates room for creativity, collaboration, and approaches that may challenge traditional workforce practices. It also shifts the conversation from promoting individual programs to developing regional solutions shaped by employer demand and community needs.

Detroit, Michigan, offers a wonderful example of sector strategies in action. Through a partnership involving Detroit at Work, Focus: HOPE, Skilltrade, and local healthcare employers, residents have accessed hybrid Medical Assistant training supported by hands-on clinical instruction, supportive services, and employer-connected externships. The collaboration demonstrates how coordinated resources and community relationships can help individuals gain industry-recognized credentials and pursue meaningful employment.

These efforts also reflect the five pillars of America's Talent Strategy: Industry-Driven Strategies, Worker Mobility, Integrated Systems, Accountability, and Flexibility and Innovation. Together, they reinforce the importance of employer-informed training, accessible career pathways, coordinated services, measurable outcomes, and a willingness to explore new approaches.