Exploring the notion of workforce development

Abstract

Workforce development is a relatively new concept that extends beyond training, and is increasingly used by educationalists, policy-makers and scholars. It draws on human resource development and management, workforce planning and workforce capability development, and is often highlighted in debates on skills shortages where there is a need to increase the pool of skilled workers in critical industries. The literature has claimed that the concept takes us in new directions, and is not merely more of the same. But what does workforce development mean? This chapter opens the book with an analysis of the concept of workforce development, why it has become prominent now and why this book has been written. It then introduces the chapters to follow that serve to illuminate different perspectives and issues that together comprise what we term workforce development.