Abstract

Developing a workforce equipped with technical skills, soft behavioral skills and knowledge can be complex and involves many components, including educational institutions and different business parts looking to secure reliable, effective human talent. Quality managers clearly have a compelling need to understand and influence the workforce development practices in their organizations. Using the Baldrige criteria can help facilitate workforce development for institutions and communities because it drives assessment of employers’ needs, as well as an institution’s capacity and performance in meeting those needs. The author offers six recommendations for quality managers to influence their organization’s approach to workforce development.