By Sandy Mead, Vice President of Workforce Development, Skilltrade
September is Workforce Development Month, a time to recognize the transformative power of upskilling, career pathways, and partnerships that connect people to meaningful work. For those of us in the field, this month is more than a celebration, it’s a reminder that the work we do changes lives and strengthens communities every day.
We are living in a time of rapid change, in technology, in the economy, and in the way, people learn and work. These shifts can be challenging, but they also open the door to innovation. Across the country, workforce programs, training providers, and employers are finding new ways to come together, adapt, and meet the evolving needs of both workers and industry.
At the heart of this work is collaboration. When workforce boards, educators, and employers align their efforts, we can create training and career pathways that are responsive, inclusive, and built for the realities of today’s job market. This means listening to communities, understanding employer needs, and ensuring that opportunities are accessible to all who are ready to take the next step.
This includes building career pathways in essential sectors like healthcare, where the demand for skilled professionals continues to grow. Allied healthcare roles such as sterile processing technicians, medical assistants, and surgical technologists not only provide stable, rewarding careers, but also strengthen the health of our communities. By aligning training with real-world needs, we help ensure that workers are prepared for roles that make an immediate and lasting impact.
As we celebrate Workforce Development Month, I challenge all of us, workforce professionals, employers, educators, and community leaders to think boldly about how we can scale these solutions. The demand for skilled talent is urgent, but so is the opportunity to create lasting impact.
Because when we invest in people, we are doing more than just filling jobs―we build stronger families, and we strengthen communities. When we work together intentionally, we are shaping the future of our Nation’s workforce.
