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What does a Workforce Development Specialist do?

Photo of Brenna Goyette
Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert

Published 3 min read

A Workforce Development Specialist helps individuals find employment and develop their career skills. They may work with job seekers to assess their skills and interests, connect them with training and education programs, and help them find jobs. They may also work with businesses to identify workforce needs and develop strategies to recruit, retain, and develop employees.

Workforce Development Specialist job duties include:

  • Identify training and development needs within an organization
  • Work with managers to identify skill gaps and plan training sessions
  • Develop training programs that are aligned with the organization’s goals
  • Deliver training programs to groups or individuals
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of training programs and make improvements where necessary
  • Keep up to date with developments in the field of workforce development
  • Research new training methods and approaches
  • Stay abreast of changes in government policy that may impact the organization’s workforce development plans
  • Liaise with external providers of training and development services
  • Manage the budget for the workforce development function

Workforce Development Specialist Job Requirements

The job requirements for a Workforce Development Specialist are: a bachelor's degree in human resources, labor relations, business administration, or a related field; experience working in human resources, labor relations, or a related field; and certification from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).

Workforce Development Specialist Skills

  • Communication
  • Writing
  • Public Speaking
  • Research
  • Planning
  • Organizing
  • Time Management
  • Training
  • Facilitation
  • Program Development
  • Evaluation

Related: Top Workforce Development Specialist Skills: Definition and Examples

How to become a Workforce Development Specialist

A Workforce Development Specialist is a professional who helps businesses and organizations identify, assess, and develop the skills of their employees. They work with businesses to identify training and development needs, and then design and implement programs to improve employee productivity.

There are a few key steps to becoming a Workforce Development Specialist. First, you will need to earn a bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field. Then, you will need to gain experience working in human resources or a related field. Finally, you will need to obtain certification from a professional organization such as the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).

Once you have completed these steps, you will be well on your way to becoming a Workforce Development Specialist. With your education and experience, you will be able to help businesses identify the skills their employees need to be successful. You will also be able to design and implement programs that will improve employee productivity.

Related: Workforce Development Specialist Resume Example

Related: Workforce Development Specialist Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

Editorial staff

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Editor

Brenna Goyette

Expert Verified

Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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