The Role of Workforce Boards in Addressing Language Barriers

Workforce boards can catalyze both economic mobility and economic recovery by connecting historically underserved communities with job training, upskilling opportunities, and career pathways. Yet language barriers too often hinder immigrant and refugees’ access to these job training initiatives – and at great cost to local communities and economies. By 2030, 97 percent of U.S. net workforce growth will be fueled by immigrants and their children, including speakers of other languages. Workforce and higher education systems currently meet the needs of just 4% of the 20 million adult English-language learners living in the U.S. Workforce boards can help fill the gap. This panel-style webinar convenes experts in workforce development, immigrant inclusion, and adult education in a practical conversation about how workforce boards can collaborate with employers, educational institutions, and training providers to increase equity and access for speakers of other languages. The session equips participants with actionable solutions to create thriving, inclusive, future-ready workforces.

Speakers:
Katie Brown, PhD Founder & Chief Education Officer, EnGen
Marc Goldberg, Principal and Owner, Skills Strategy Consulting
Daniel Enemark, PhD Chief Economist, San Diego Workforce Partnership