Policy Choices for Indiana's Future (Policy Choices I)
Education & Workforce Development Commission
Developing the highly skilled workforce necessary for economic growth in a knowledge economy
In tough economic times, policymakers are more challenged than ever to identify options and pursue changes—especially when it comes to retaining and creating jobs. To complicate matters, we are experiencing a large-scale transformation from a manufacturing, goods-producing economy to a global, knowledge-based economy. Indiana is looking for every way possible to retain and create jobs, and to train the workers needed to fill them.
In the past, separate adjustments to our education and workforce development systems might have sufficed. But increasingly, the lines between education and employment have become blurred, the systems increasingly interdependent, and the pursuit of knowledge for employment's sake a lifelong endeavor. In this climate, there needs to be more coordination between learning and working. The seamless integration of the education, workforce development and business communities is essential to future economic growth in Indiana.
This is the central premise of the report of the Education and Workforce Development Commission. What's important now is that state leaders understand the root challenges of our changing economy, the shortcomings of our current educational and workforce development systems, and the choices available to turn things around.