September is Workforce Development Month, which is a time to celebrate the workers who keep America moving.
At a time when workforce development is changing at the speed of light, or should I say AI, it’s worth looking back. We all learned about work somewhere, most often from our families. Every generation has its own stories to tell, shaped by the economy, politics, and the challenges of their era. I invite you to share your own workforce “origin story.”
I’ll start with mine.
My Grandfather’s Story
I remember as a child hearing my grandfather talk about work. He was born in 1914 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and was only 15 years old when the Great Depression hit, an event that would define his views on stability, gratitude, and perseverance. Everyone he knew worked hard because they had to. Life was hard, jobs were scarce, and every opportunity mattered.
One of his nuggets of wisdom I still carry is:
“Don’t handle freight twice.”
In other words, do things from start to finish, and don’t put it down until it’s done.
He served in the U.S. Army as a shipping and receiving clerk, mastering the logistics skills that would shape his civilian career. After the war, he returned to the workforce, eventually retiring from the railroad system in that same role.
A strong union man, he turned down opportunities for management because it meant leaving the union ranks. He spoke often about the importance of organizing, of worker solidarity, and of ensuring safety for all. He referred to his peers as “the blue collar workers,” a phrase that carried pride and purpose in his voice.
He also talked about the Depression and the WPA (Works Progress Administration), a program that gave millions of Americans jobs during the country’s darkest economic days. He recalled how grateful people were for the work, even when the wages were low and the jobs physically demanding. For him, hard work was both a necessity and a virtue.
Timeline of Workforce-Shaping Events in His Lifetime (1914–1982)
1914 – Born in Williamsport, PA, as the world entered World War I.
1917–1918 – WWI leads to U.S. Railroad Administration control of railroads, cementing rail as the backbone of national logistics.
1920s – Industrial boom, but rural Pennsylvania was still dominated by manufacturing and rail.
1929 – The Great Depression begins; unemployment reaches 25% nationally by 1933.
1933–1939 – New Deal programs like the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) and WPA (Works Progress Administration) created jobs and infrastructure, shaping attitudes toward public works and workforce security.
1941–1945 – Serves in the U.S. Army during WWII; railroads operate at peak capacity, transporting troops and goods.
Late 1940s–1950s – Post-war boom; strong labor unions help secure wages, benefits, and workplace safety.
1950s–1960s – Railroads face growing competition from trucks and airlines; unions fight to preserve jobs and adapt to automation.
1964 – Civil Rights Act expands protections, marking a new chapter for workforce equity.
1970s – Economic recessions and inflation challenge workers; unions remain a stabilizing force.
1982 – Passes away, having worked through the most transformative decades of America’s industrial workforce history.
The Legacy
My grandfather’s life was a reflection of America’s workforce journey in the 20th century; from the hardship of the Depression, to the wartime mobilization, to the postwar union strength that defined blue-collar pride. His work ethic shaped mine, and his belief in the dignity of work still resonates today.
As we celebrate Workforce Development Month, I encourage you to look back at your own “workforce origin story.” In our rush toward the future, driven by technology and AI, it’s worth remembering the values, lessons, and sacrifices that brought us here. We stand on the shoulders of giants; we must never forget. I know I won’t.
Landaker 08/13/2025
Photo Credit: Photo courtesy of the U.S. National Archives”
