Top 12 Actions to Build a Skilled Workforce

Everybody wants to know "What actions will help build a better skilled workforce for the future?" Here are a dozen important actions that you might want to consider in the future:

1. Connect workforce development to economic needs.

2. Work with networks of firms in leveraging investment and spreading training benefits among employers.

3. Build a stronger education pipeline for trainable graduates.

4. Strengthen math and science skills at all levels.

5. Reform schools to improve student performance.

6. Direct resources to postsecondary education based upon performance.

7. Encourage partnerships across the educational spectrum (K-12, K-14, and K-16).

8. Develop industry and industry cluster-based workforce strategies.

9. Increase the use of community colleges for workforce training.

10. Support e-learning and other innovative delivery systems.

11. Enhance workers' ability to manage their own careers. Stress lifelong learning and continuous improvement.

12. Use available state and federal resources and incentives to promote workforce development and educational reform.