WorkKeys Sings in Nashville

Keynote speeches focused on workforce and economic development initiatives fueled by WorkKeys in three states.

Ron Stiver, workforce development commissioner for the state of Indiana, spoke about converging forces that could create a significant skilled labor shortage in the Hoosier State, including baby boomer retirements, roadblocks to bringing talent from overseas, and high school attrition rates. The state plans to use WorkKeys to help create a statewide labor force that is nationally superior and globally competitive.

“If we could get every Indiana resident to improve even by one skill level, the economic impact of that could not be estimated,” he told the crowd.

John “Mac” MacIlroy, chief executive officer of the Michigan Manufacturers Association, discussed barriers to competitive success of manufacturing in the United States, especially global competition and pricing pressures. Education will be a key factor in giving the United States a competitive edge, but only if it addresses the needs of businesses.

“Both groups do a terrific job, but often they aren’t communicating,” MacIlroy said. “The true genius of WorkKeys is that it provides a much-needed metric for communicating between the business and education communities.”

Tim Alford, director of the Alabama Department of Workforce Development, represented a state that is now ranked ninth in the United States for per capita income growth. He spoke about aligning economic development with workforce development. He compared current pressures on the U.S. economy to the Alabama boll weevil infestation of the early 1900s, which destroyed cotton crops but caused residents to pursue mixed agriculture—especially peanut growing—and manufacturing.

“The business world has three choices: innovate, emigrate, or evaporate,” Alford said. “If we can transition workers to higher skills and better-paying jobs, all the problems we’re facing now might go the way of the boll weevil.”

The conference also included sessions on updates to the WorkKeys system; success stories from leaders in workforce development, business, and education; and statewide Career Readiness Certificates.