In this episode of ThinkHire, Shan Avery and Doug Smith discuss a recent mission to Germany focused on learning innovative workforce development practices. They explore the importance of collaboration between economic and workforce development, the role of the private sector in training, and the need for flexible education systems that align with industry needs.
Greetings, listeners! I'm Shan Avery, President and CEO of the Hampton Roads Workforce Council, and welcome to another episode of ThinkHire. In this monthly podcast, we bring together experts to discuss economic and workforce development in our region. Today, I am joined by Doug Smith, President of the Hampton Roads Alliance, who leads our regional economic development efforts. Doug, how are you today?
Doug begins by explaining the role of the Hampton Roads Alliance as the regional economic development organization. They support 14 cities and counties and work with 80 businesses to grow traded sector jobs—those that sell goods and services outside the region. Doug emphasizes the importance of collaboration between economic development and workforce development, stating that creating new jobs is futile without a workforce ready to fill them.
Today, we will discuss an exciting project initiated by Doug: a mission to Germany to learn from their renowned workforce development system. Germany is home to many foreign companies, and its workforce and education systems are highly regarded. Doug shares how the idea for this mission came about through discussions with a consultant in Frankfurt and conversations with local businesses in Virginia Beach.
The mission included five mayors, five college presidents, and various business leaders and economic developers. The goal was to understand how Germany prepares its workforce and to bring back best practices to Hampton Roads. Doug highlights that this mission represents a new model of economic development, shifting focus from merely attracting large companies to ensuring a skilled workforce is available.
Historically, economic development emphasized location, but Doug notes that the focus has shifted to labor availability. As demographics change, the need for a skilled workforce becomes increasingly critical. Companies now prioritize workforce readiness in their decision-making processes, making collaboration between economic and workforce development essential.
During the trip, the team observed how the German business community actively participates in workforce training through apprenticeships. Doug explains that businesses in Germany contribute to a system that funds these apprenticeships, which is a model that Hampton Roads could learn from. The private sector's involvement is crucial for successful workforce development.
Some key takeaways from the trip include:
Doug and I discussed the common perception that college is the only path to success. Many parents want their children to pursue higher education, but the rising costs of college make this less feasible for some families. We need to shift this mindset and promote skilled trades as viable and lucrative career options.
After the trip, we held a follow-up meeting with the participants, where 21 out of 22 attendees returned to discuss what they learned. This strong turnout indicates a commitment to implementing the insights gained from the trip. We are now in the process of developing pilot projects based on our findings and exploring further collaborations with local businesses and educational institutions.
Interestingly, we utilized AI tools like ChatGPT to draft our action plan during the trip. This highlights the importance of leveraging technology in our efforts to enhance workforce development.
In conclusion, the mission to Germany has laid a strong foundation for future workforce development initiatives in Hampton Roads. By fostering collaboration between the private sector, educational institutions, and economic development organizations, we can create a robust pipeline of skilled workers ready to meet the demands of our evolving job market. Thank you for tuning in to ThinkHire, and we look forward to sharing more updates in our next episode.
