Last week, we posted an article about the expected trends in workforce development for 2021. The original article can be found here. This week, we will continue the discussion with three more trends that are relevant for any organization to consider for their workforce development goals.

4. The Continually Increasing Role of Technology

The increasing role of technology in all facets of the workplace has become patently important as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, as even the least technologically inclined organizations have begun to embrace services related to remote work. As I have previously discussed, technological services aside from conference software are important to consider for workforce development programs. Digital training networks, which were highlighted in last week’s post, are an extremely powerful tool for any organization, however, they are still just one piece of the puzzle. 

Consider, for example, how real-time performance tracking can help your organization identify occupational demands. Tracking your local trends and communicating effectively with workforce boards can help you stay one step ahead of whatever challenges await you. Remember that relevant data could include economic or social changes, increasing or diminishing demand for your services, changes in workplace policy, or shifting skillsets within the labor pool. 

Technology seems to be more powerful when used in combination with other tools, so consider how workforce recruitment technology might improve trend forecasting. Further, digital training networks may impact your approach to recruitment and so on. 

5. State Funding to Fight Unemployment 

The recent economic difficulties of our nation have impacted employment rates in every state. As a response, many local and state governments have implemented incentives for organizations to mitigate the impact of unemployment. An organization that takes advantage of these incentives will see results in their internal funding as well as a positive community impact. 

When it comes to government incentives and funding, the most prepared and organized organizations usually end up with the most beneficial results. The government provider generally wants to see some sort of concrete proof regarding the application of funds. In order to prepare for funding opportunities, we advise organizations to bolster their data tracking and communication systems. 

6. Maintaining a Personal Touch

At the end of the day, workforce development changes should never take away from the most important part of your operation: the people. Wary skeptics of the changing landscape may argue that the new trends in workforce planning and development are counterproductive in the interest of human connection. However, personal connections and individual care seem to have continued as a priority for workforce development initiatives in recent years. 

Each trend that I have discussed could be summarized as a move towards organizations seeking further insight into their workforce and personnel. Although digital training networks may take the place of one-on-one training in some situations, the implementation of such software will also give workers the opportunity to improve their skills in-house and train more regularly. Independent workforce development entities will allow for more care and resources to be directed toward personnel needs. The ongoing shift toward data processing as a powerful tool in workforce development will result in a better understanding of the needs of employees, which will result in a happier workforce. 

Of course, communication will always remain indispensable. As changes occur in the workplace, it will be as important as ever to communicate with your team and ask for their input. No matter how successful a new initiative is, we know that your people will always come first.