Building a Talent Pipeline During Workforce Development Month

by Mitch Coppes, Government Relations Senior Specialist, Goodwill Industries International

Goodwill is celebrating National Workforce Development Month throughout September. It is a time to recognize the significant impact made by workforce professionals in building a resiliently skilled and inclusive workforce by providing job seekers and career advancers with community-based training, employment, and support services.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s latest jobs report, nationally, unemployment has remained the same (currently at 3.6 percent for the fourth straight month); however, millions of workers across the country still struggle with underemployment and more than 11 million jobs remain unfilled. Goodwill is working to address America’s workforce challenges by helping people with barriers to employment obtain the skills, competencies, and credentials needed to pursue high-quality careers in in-demand fields. In 2021, Goodwill collectively served nearly 2 million individuals and helped more than 121,000 people in the U.S. secure new jobs and career advancement opportunities.

To support local workforce stakeholders in connecting people to open jobs, the Biden Administration has launched the Talent Pipeline Challenge. This is a nationwide call to action for employers, training providers, states, municipalities, and community-based organizations that will commit to help fill available positions in key sectors of the economy that are critical to rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure, including broadband, construction, and electrification (electric vehicle charging infrastructure and battery manufacturing). Specifically, the Administration is calling on training providers to help recruit local employers from key sectors to this effort; partner with employers to create or expand training programs that provide workers with access to support services, such as transportation assistance and childcare; and work with employer partners to identify, recruit, and support workers from underserved communities for jobs in infrastructure.

Local Goodwill organizations can play an important role in creating equitable employment pipelines that empower job seekers and career advancers to pursue rewarding careers in high-demand industries, meet the skills needs of employers, help rebuild their communities, and achieve self-sufficiency and upward economic mobility. Learn more about joining the Talent Pipeline Challenge here.