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Measuring the Connection Between Workforce Development and Economic Development

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  • Elsie Harper-Anderson

    (University of Michigan)

Abstract

Scholars, practitioners, and policy makers have all called for greater connectivity between workforce development and economic development to more efficiently connect people to jobs and improve regional competitiveness. Economic and policy changes of the last decade have created a fertile environment for collaborative models of achieving workforce and economic development goals simultaneously. Employing survey results from 170 workforce administrators across the United States, the author uses regression analysis to examine the factors that influence connection and to understand the relationship between this connection, the use of sector-based strategies, and development outcomes. The results suggest that connectivity is increasing and has a positive influence on the use of sector-based strategies. In addition, both the level of connection and the use of sectors have significant influence on achieving desired outcomes. Understanding and enhancing the strategic linkage across the two functions are critical for connecting people to jobs and building strong economies.

Suggested Citation

  • Elsie Harper-Anderson, 2008. "Measuring the Connection Between Workforce Development and Economic Development," Economic Development Quarterly, , vol. 22(2), pages 119-135, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ecdequ:v:22:y:2008:i:2:p:119-135
    DOI: 10.1177/0891242408316308
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Greg Schrock, 2013. "Reworking Workforce Development," Economic Development Quarterly, , vol. 27(3), pages 163-178, August.
    3. Colleen K. Chrisinger & Christopher S. Fowler & Rachel Garshick Kleit, 2015. "Industry Clusters and Employment Outcomes in Washington State," Economic Development Quarterly, , vol. 29(3), pages 199-210, August.
    4. Holland, Brian, 2018. "Defining and Measuring Workforce Development in the United States in a Post-Bipartisan Era," GLO Discussion Paper Series 234, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    5. Alvin Simms & David Freshwater & Jamie Ward, 2014. "The Rural Economic Capacity Index (RECI)," Economic Development Quarterly, , vol. 28(4), pages 351-363, November.
    6. Linda Lobao & P. Wilner Jeanty & Mark Partridge & David Kraybill, 2012. "Poverty and Place across the United States," International Regional Science Review, , vol. 35(2), pages 158-187, April.
    7. Nichola Lowe & Greg Schrock & Matthew D. Wilson & Rumana Rabbani & Allison Forbes, 2022. "Centering Work: Integration and Diffusion of Workforce Development within the U.S. Manufacturing Extension Network," Upjohn Working Papers 22-371, W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research.
    8. Colleen K. Chrisinger & Christopher S. Fowler & Rachel Garshick Kleit, 2012. "Shared Skills: Occupation Clusters for Poverty Alleviation and Economic Development in the US," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 49(15), pages 3403-3425, November.
    9. Nada Karaman Aksentijevic & Zoran Jezic, 2009. "Human Resources development and research capacity and their impact on economic growth," Zbornik radova Ekonomskog fakulteta u Rijeci/Proceedings of Rijeka Faculty of Economics, University of Rijeka, Faculty of Economics and Business, vol. 27(2), pages 263-291.
    10. Maude Toussaint-Comeau & Robin Newberger & Darline Augustine, 2016. "Inclusive Cluster-Based Development Strategies for Inner Cities," Economic Development Quarterly, , vol. 30(2), pages 171-184, May.
    11. Brian Holland, 2016. "Both sides now: Toward the dual customer approach under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act in the United States," Local Economy, London South Bank University, vol. 31(3), pages 424-441, May.
    12. Christopher S. Fowler & Rachel Garshick Kleit, 2014. "The Effects of Industrial Clusters on the Poverty Rate," Economic Geography, Clark University, vol. 90(2), pages 129-154, April.

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