CareerEdge Featured in New Report from Global Economic Development Group

The world’s largest organization for economic development pros says CareerEdge Funders Collaborative is a model for effective workforce development in today’s dynamic global economy.

CareerEdge, the innovative workforce investment initiative that Gulf Coast helped launch in 2010, is featured in a new report from the International Economic Development Council. It is the first of five case studies central to Chutes & Ladders: The New Rules of the Game for Upskilling Workers.

IEDC bills the new guide as a “framework to build a culture of upskilling” that can help workers ascend career ladders and companies find the talent they need to grow. The global organization serves more than 4,500 members, with a network of more than 25,000 economic-development professionals and partners.

CareerEdge helps increase regional job, industry growth

The report focuses on the benefits regional workforce developers can have on employers, employees, and the economy.

It found that employees who actively learned while on the job, through trainings, certificates, or degree programs, were more productive, accomplished their goals, and had a better sense of well-being at their job. Employers, meanwhile, were able to retain, expand, and attract future employees by supporting such “working learner” environments.

“The success of CareerEdge in retooling and retraining the Manatee-Sarasota workforce can be seen in data collected from the local workforce…. [O]ver 3,100 people have received training, 1,200 new jobs have been created, and over $23 million in wage increases have been added to the local economy.”

The report quotes EDC of Sarasota County chief Mark Huey as saying, “CareerEdge has been able to effectively bridge the gap between employers, educators, and job seekers. We are seeing a great increase in job and industry growth in our region, and CareerEdge has played a significant role in getting us there.”    

Data drives, and bears out, effective workforce investment

Chutes & Ladders also highlights CareerEdge’s reliance on data to drive its workforce investments, stating that it shows a “proactive, demand-driven approach to workforce development that benefits both local employers and workers.”

According to the report: “The success of CareerEdge in retooling and retraining the Manatee-Sarasota workforce can be seen in data collected from the local workforce. To date, CareerEdge clients have received over 2,000 raises, average hourly pay increases of $2.42, over 540 promotions, and $15,200 in bonuses. Additionally, over 3,100 people have received training, 1,200 new jobs have been created, and over $23 million in wage increases have been added to the local economy.”