Everybody WINs: Effectively Involving Business in Workforce Development. The First in a Series of Policy Papers.

As policymakers have begun reorienting the U.S. work force development system's priorities, a common theme has been the importance of work and training tied to real employment prospects. Workforce Innovation Networks (WINs) was created to test and advance the idea that local employer organizations can play important, productive roles in helping low-wage and less-skilled workers advance in the labor market. Competition and changes in work organization have reduced the on-the-job training that traditionally enabled low-skill workers to advance in larger companies. To better respond to labor market pressures, employers have begun turning to their industry-based and broad-based local employer organizations for support and assistance. The WINs initiative's experience with employer organizations has identified the following basic types of work force development activity that can serve member needs and help advance low-income workers in the labor market: convening and supporting employers; brokering and providing services to employers and workers; improving the delivery of education, training, and support services; conducting research and development of work force development strategies and products; and helping govern and improve the work force development system. Four key challenges facing employer organizations were identified along with policy approaches that can stimulate greater business/employer engagement in work force development. (MN)