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A skilled workforce is the foundation of a thriving economy. Investing in training — both for new workers entering the job market and for those looking to advance — is essential for businesses and communities alike.
With more opportunities than ever to gain in-demand skills, a thoughtful, results-driven approach ensures these investments pay off.
For training to be effective, people must know it exists — and why it matters. Many programs struggle with enrollment not due to lack of value but because participants don’t see a clear link to their career and personal goals.
Awareness must go beyond marketing, helping individuals understand job opportunities, employer needs and the long-term benefits of training. When people see a clear career path that aligns with their interests, they’re more likely to engage and succeed.
Done right, K-12 education and Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs serve as powerful training pipelines, providing students with foundational skills and career exposure early on.
CTE programs introduce students to in-demand fields like manufacturing, healthcare, IT, and skilled trades, offering hands-on learning before they enter the workforce.
Partnerships between high schools and businesses help students earn certifications, apprenticeships or college credits.
A strong career awareness approach in schools helps students make informed choices, reducing the number of people entering the workforce without direction.
Strengthening these pathways will reduce the need for costly retraining later and help more students transition smoothly into careers.
Successful workforce development balances two types of training: Hard skills are job-specific technical abilities like welding, coding, machining, or medical assisting, typically learned through certifications, apprenticeships, or college courses.
Soft skills — such as communication, teamwork and problem-solving — are harder to measure but just as vital, often determining long-term career success and retention.
While technical skills are essential, soft skills often determine long-term success. Employees may have the right technical knowledge, but without teamwork, adaptability, or communication, they may struggle to thrive. Employers consistently prioritize soft skills in hiring and training.
Effective programs integrate both, ensuring workers not only perform their jobs but also collaborate, innovate and grow within an organization.
To maximize training investments, we must continuously assess both workforce needs and program effectiveness. The job market evolves rapidly, and training must keep pace.
Key strategies for success include:
With significant funding in workforce programs, we must ask: Are they delivering results? Success isn’t just about enrollment — it’s about completion, job placement, and wage growth.
Many programs struggle with low completion rates, not due to lack of value but a need for improvement. Strengthening engagement, program structure, and employer alignment can drive better outcomes and maximize ROI.
Workforce training isn’t just an expense — it’s an investment in the future. When done right, it strengthens businesses, creates economic opportunities and helps individuals build rewarding careers. By integrating training into K-12 education, expanding CTE pathways, and ensuring measurable outcomes, we can build a workforce that meets the needs of today’s economy and drives future growth.
John Lewis is co-founder and managing partner at Synergy Workforce Solutions, LLC. He is also the chair of the Manufacturers Association of Maine’s committee on Employee Growth Services. John can be reached at john@synworkforce.com
The Giving Guide helps nonprofits have the opportunity to showcase and differentiate their organizations so that businesses better understand how they can contribute to a nonprofit’s mission and work.
Learn MoreWork for ME is a workforce development tool to help Maine’s employers target Maine’s emerging workforce. Work for ME highlights each industry, its impact on Maine’s economy, the jobs available to entry-level workers, the training and education needed to get a career started.
Learn MoreWhether you’re a developer, financer, architect, or industry enthusiast, Groundbreaking Maine is crafted to be your go-to source for valuable insights in Maine’s real estate and construction community.
Coming June 2025
Learn moreThe Giving Guide helps nonprofits have the opportunity to showcase and differentiate their organizations so that businesses better understand how they can contribute to a nonprofit’s mission and work.
Work for ME is a workforce development tool to help Maine’s employers target Maine’s emerging workforce. Work for ME highlights each industry, its impact on Maine’s economy, the jobs available to entry-level workers, the training and education needed to get a career started.
Whether you’re a developer, financer, architect, or industry enthusiast, Groundbreaking Maine is crafted to be your go-to source for valuable insights in Maine’s real estate and construction community.
Coming June 2025
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