The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) was signed into law to match job seekers with the skills needed in the labor market. However, issues unique to the public sector make it difficult to make this law a reality. There are 2.95 million employees in the public sector workforce, with only 7.4% of federal employees under 30. Without increasing the number of Gen Z workers, public sector agencies will struggle to adapt and change for the future.
The public sector is notorious for slow software systems, with outdated and old IT systems even putting taxpayers at risk. The public sector needs to implement improved software systems to appeal to younger generations, streamline workflows, and improve workforce development programs to meet the needs of the WIOA. In this article, we’ll discuss challenges with workforce development in this unique sector and how software improves public sector workforce development.
Public sector workforce challenges are unique from any other sector–public sector budgets are often much more limited than private businesses. Tax-funded money must be carefully allocated to maximize use. There are typically fewer people to do more work, and with limited resources, employees struggle to complete additional training to increase their skills.
Some of the most common challenges in public sector workforce training are:
Public sector agencies need to utilize digital tools for the public sector workforce to improve current workflows and better appeal to younger generations. Public sector agency workforce software is a comprehensive solution to connect the dots between employers and community members looking for work. These tools offer administrative assistance to ease communication and connect open jobs to willing job seekers.
With workforce development software, public sector agencies can utilize features such as:
Public sector training and development tools must be implemented properly to be effective. But the results can be impressive: 68% of employees would rather complete training at work, and 45% of workers are less likely to quit if they receive training. By implementing these public sector workforce development strategies, the public sector can improve retention rates and better serve the younger generation of workers.
Public sector workforce development platforms create a central place to build and grow workforce training and development programs. A robust program is critical for job success–92% of employees believe that workplace training makes a positive impact on their job engagement. Workforce development software gives public sector agencies the tools they need to grow these programs, including:
Cutting through the red tape can be one of the most difficult elements of working in a public sector agency. Public sector employee management software offers a platform where all pertinent information can be stored, allowing for easy access where your team can solve problems independently. Streamlined information systems with robust, intuitive tools enable public sector agencies to:
It takes an average of 119 days to fill a role in the public sector sector. With long delays, people willing to work in the public sector may be offered a job in the private sector first. When money is tight, workers cannot afford to wait. Workforce development software can help public sector agencies connect workers with positions that need to be filled.
With PlanStreet, in particular, there is a referral feature within the portal. Public sector programs can quickly match job seekers to ideal careers and help them get their foot in the door with a government agency. Referrals improve hiring rates–employers favor referrals by 82% for the best ROI.
A thorough skills assessment is one of the most critical elements in developing community workforce programs launched by workforce development boards. Vocational evaluations and assessments allow workforce development boards to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the participants in their programs. These evaluations help leaders understand which skills training to develop to boost the efficacy of their program.
Evaluation tools also help community workforce development leaders understand which worker fits best with each employer participating in apprenticeship and internship programs. It’s critical to keep all of this data in one place. Workforce development software like PlanStreet creates customized journeys for clients, with proprietary AI engines walking them through the appropriate forms and services. This allows clients to develop skills faster and allows for fewer administrative hours for your team.
The public sector inherently has more hoops to jump through because public money is involved. However, workforce development software can speed up these previously tedious processes. Look for features that automatically track and enforce compliance with labor laws, including FLSA, FMLA, and ADA. Consider reporting features that include pre-configured reports that meet WIOA and PIRL standards.
Employee training and development in the public sector doesn’t have to feel decades behind. PlanStreet’s public sector employee skills development platform offers tools to train employees better, retain more talent, and streamline the skills development process. PlanStreets robust platform includes:
Contact PlanStreet today and improve public sector workforce development at your organization.