Workforce Readiness Director

Overview

Human resource professionals in the state of Wisconsin understand the role that a quality workforce plays in our successful business and economic environment. Our goal is to create an awareness of the importance of the partnership of business, education, government and community in developing a well-prepared, high-quality workforce. Our efforts will assist businesses in recruiting, retaining and promoting employees at all levels.

What is Workforce Readiness?
It depends on who you ask! It is one big subject, ranging from the most basic entry level skills to the training for positions that require highly technical or highly educated individuals.

Workforce Readiness includes the preparation of a qualified workforce through the public schools, vocational and technical colleges, adult educational opportunities, remedial employee training, and continual professional development. This is achieved through assessment, awareness and collaboration by business and industry, educators, the local community, and government.

While the term “readiness” implies pre-employment competencies that bring talent to the workplace, we know that workforce development issues may also apply to members of our incumbent workforce needing remedial training or lacking in skills to move them beyond entry level positions.

Why Workforce Readiness? 
Workforce readiness efforts will help ensure that there are adequate quantities of trained, reliable workers to meet the needs of business and industry, now and in the future. Jobs that are technical and service oriented, require increased interpersonal, communication, problem solving and decision making skills. Some of these skills must be developed, such as work ethic, attendance reliability, and good judgment skills. Worker training also provides improved skills and behaviors such as interpersonal communications, team building, and technical job-specific knowledge which can increase productivity and reduce turnover.

Getting Started / Chapter Resources 
Getting started is easy. Begin with a plan, based on your chapter’s size and level of commitment – are you looking for short or long term involvement? Next, determine who your potential collaborators are and develop a partnership; the best place to start is with an organization with shared goals or objectives. If you don’t want to start with your own program, partner with an organization with an existing program.

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