Workforce Competitiveness

Involvement in the global economy requires that the workforce be skilled to excel in an international business environment. WSI helps safeguard and create jobs by increasing workforce competitiveness. Workforce competitiveness focuses on the changes needed to prepare a workforce for the rapidly changing and competitive economy of the 21st Century. WSI trains local partners to design policies and programs that fit their specific competitiveness challenges.

Vocational and Worker Training

WSI teaches training administrators and professionals how to design and implement rapid and continuous skills development programs to help preserve and create jobs. WSI helps modernize publicly-funded skills training programs at enterprises, local training centers, and within national and sub-national public training agencies. WSI reforms vocational training delivery by addressing the gaps between the demand and supply of a qualified workforce and by demonstrating dynamic vocational education, training and certification practices to enhance the competitiveness of specific sectors. For businesses undergoing restructuring or privatization, WSI's rapid skills training methodology (Quick Start) responds to specific job training needs to upgrade the skills of current employees or train potential employees. WSI uses a team approach which brings together management and workers in the job analysis and curriculum development process. Partnerships among private and public training institutions are also strengthened to create an adaptable and skilled workforce.

Targeted Services

Workers with special needs require specific employability strategies that can bring them into the workforce. Targeted services are tailored to job opportunities, local labor market realities and the unique needs of at-risk and disadvantaged workers such as ethnic minorities, young school leavers, the undereducated, the long term unemployed, and women without formal work experience.

PROJECTS:

Armenia: Competitive Armenian Private Sector (CAPS) Program (2007-2008)

USAID
As a subcontractor to Nathan Associates Inc., WSI is providing technical assistance to improve workforce skills linkages with employer demands in the tourism, pharmaceuticals and IT industries.

Bulgaria: Quick Start Retraining Program (1997- 1999)
Partners in Local Economic Development and Governmental Effectiveness (PLEDGE) Project - (1998-2004)

Donor: USAID, USDOL
WSI first demonstrated the Quick Start retraining program in 1997 in three cities in Bulgaria, training a core team of 16 national, regional and local trainers and tailoring curricula for five companies. This effort retained or created 101 new jobs which resulted in expansion nationwide under the PLEDGE project. At project close, 140 national employment service trainers were assigned to Quick Start implementation, 56 vocational training institutions adopted the technology, and 71 firms had created or retained 1,196 jobs.

Bulgaria: Social Welfare to Employment Program (1997)

Donor: USDOL
WSI designed and implemented a nationwide welfare-to-work program and workplace literacy training. WSI trained local staff of Labor and Social Welfare agencies in all regions of Bulgaria. A literacy program was replicated in numerous communities with large Roma populations.

Hungary: Rapid Response Project (1997-1999)

Donor: USAID, USDOL
WSI worked with 36 local areas through County Labor Offices to implement 32 vocational training programs using WSI's rapid skills training methodology Quick Start. As a result, 2,329 people started new jobs, retained their jobs, or became self-employed. The first year after project close an additional 2,854 people were employed or retained.

Macedonia: Partners for Economic Development in Macedonia (PRiSMa) Project - (1999-2004)

Donor: USAID, USDOL
WSI implemented Quick Start rapid skills training in 30 communities training 642 workers in a variety of occupations including computer drafting, sewing, publication, TV camera operator, laboratory technician, catering, baking, auto painting, food processing, and machine operation with a 96% placement rate and a 40% reduction in training costs compared to traditional public vocational training.

Poland: Dislocated Worker Project (1998-1999)
Local Partnership Model Project (2002-2004)

Donor: USDOL
WSI demonstrated Quick Start retraining in a large coal mining enterprise and an IKEA wood products supplier in 1999. The methodology was later institutionalized nationwide through regional laws and the national Promotion of Employment and Labor Market Institutions Act. In addition, Quick Start was incorporated into the World Bank procedures for its Coal Mine Sector Reform program following another demonstration in five businesses.

Ukraine: Worker and Regional Economic Adjustment Project (PARTNER) (2000-2003) - Targeted Services to Women

Donor: USDOL
WSI strengthened the capacity of the National Employment Service to provide targeted services for women as part of the Model Service Centers established in 11 offices in four regions. WSI provided training in the following specialized activities: targeted entrepreneurial training, mentoring, targeted job clubs, and support groups. At project close, targeted services were being provided in seven of the model centers and the training had been fully integrated into the curricula of the National Employment Service Training Institute to ensure nationwide replication.