Background
The quality of Maryland's current and future workforce is vital to the economic future of the State and the success of its residents. While Maryland currently enjoys a healthy, diverse business climate, many industries are facing shortages of skilled workers. Yet many Marylanders lack the basic education and skills necessary to succeed in the workforce. These challenges will be exacerbated by the approaching retirement of nearly one-sixth of Maryland's population and the job growth associated with the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process. Governor O'Malley's vision of "workforce driven economic development" is based on the notion that Maryland's future success in the national and global economy will be driven by a highly educated and skilled workforce. At the request of the Governor, the Governor's Workforce Investment Board (GWIB) has convened a diverse group of business, government, education, and philanthropy leaders for a highly interactive discussion on workforce challenges facing Maryland.
Purpose
The Governor's Workforce Summit will solicit new ideas and gather input from a variety of workforce stakeholders to contribute to the Governor's vision for workforce creation. This vision focuses on Maryland's continuing economic competitiveness in the global economy while ensuring that all Marylanders have the opportunity to participate and succeed in the 21st century workforce. The Summit is designed to spark innovation and new ideas as the Governor develops workforce polices for Maryland's future. A report will be prepared on the results and recommendations from the Summit.
Roundtable Discussion # 1 -
Educating Maryland's Future Workforce:
Aligning Education, Economic Development and Industry Needs
Maryland's education system (PreK-20) plays a critical role in developing a highly skilled workforce. In preparing a 21st Century workforce, educators face challenges of teacher shortages, demands for school reform, increasing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) instruction, and keeping pace with new technology and rapidly changing workforce skill requirements. Panelists will discuss the alignment of the education system's mission, goals and outcomes with Maryland's economic and workforce needs.
Roundtable Discussion # 2 -
No Such Thing as a Spare Marylander:
Growing the Workforce in a Time of Shifting Demographics and Increasing Employer Demand
Maryland enjoys a healthy and diverse economy, but many industries face shortages of skilled workers. The approaching retirement of nearly one-sixth of Maryland's population and new jobs associated with the BRAC process are adding to increased competition among employers for the workforce pool. Growing Maryland's qualified workforce must be a priority for the workforce development system and its industry partners. Panelists will discuss strategies for growing a skilled workforce including the retention of college graduates, immigrant workers, untapped populations, and the roles of philanthropy, business and government.
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