Long-Term Workforce Development Planning through Economic Development Initiatives

State of Hawai`i and County Economic Development Planning (2 to 5-year planning horizon)

Our office serves on the Board of Directors of the Economic Development Alliance of Hawai`i. This allows us to directly support Hawai`i’s economic direction and provide the University of Hawai`i Community Colleges with early intelligence on the future talent needs of Hawai`i’s workforce.

Industry Led Sector Strategies/Partnership – Identifying (immediate to 2-year planning horizon)

Industry led sector strategies provide qualitative data and analysis that complements our quantitative data available through our labor market information (LMI) tool, accessible here .

Quantitative LMI forecasts what industries or occupations are projected to experience job growth, contraction or stagnation based on a “line of best fit” approach to historical, unsuppressed government reported data. The qualitative data gathered through industry led sector strategies makes the LMI more relevant by providing both context and more precise time periods on anticipated labor trends. This qualitative analysis enhances the information that guides new programs or improves existing education and training curricula.

This process is accomplished through a coordinated facilitated discussion. The Chamber of Commerce of Hawai`i currently serves as the convening and facilitating agency for Hawai`i’s Sector Partnership Initiative.  This initiative provides a coordinated discussion between business and industry to multiple state agencies ensuring a unified message communicated directly from Hawai`i’s business leaders to Hawai`i’s educators.

Planning and Implementation of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

Our office serves as the designated representative on the State of Hawai`i Workforce Development Council (WDC). Through this Council, our office also serves as the WDC liaison to the State of Hawai`i State Rehabilitation Council. This linkage is an opportunity to provide consistent analytics of labor market data that help to ensure policies are developed using consistent, accurate, and timely data.

This is a critical role of our office as it allows us to support our campuses in developing unique and innovative workforce training solutions in a reduced time to market, unify services through multiple agencies to collaboratively train and place into employment some of Hawai`i more vulnerable populations.  For examples of multiple agency workforce solutions, please see the Innovative Hybrid Workforce Training Solutions at our site.