As a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting equity and economic mobility for underserved communities, we at Advancing The Seed, Inc. believe that investing in people through quality training and development is essential to creating a more equitable and just society. By providing access to training and development resources, we can empower individuals to build their skills, advance their careers, and achieve their full potential.
Training and development play a critical role in helping individuals build their skills and knowledge, which in turn helps them advance their careers and achieve greater economic mobility. According to a study by the Association for Talent Development (ATD), companies that offer comprehensive training and development programs have higher employee engagement, lower turnover rates, and are more likely to meet their financial goals. This shows that investing in people through training and development not only benefits the individual but also has a positive impact on the overall organization.
For underserved communities, access to training and development is particularly important. According to the National Skills Coalition, 74% of all job openings in the United States require some level of postsecondary education or training, but only 49% of working-age adults have these qualifications. This highlights the opportunity gap that exists for underserved communities and the critical role that training and development can play in closing that gap.
By providing access to quality training and development content and systems, we can help bridge the skills gap and provide individuals with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in the job market. This not only benefits the individual but also helps build a more skilled and productive workforce, which in turn can benefit the economy as a whole.
By investing in people through training and development, we can create a more equitable society. Access to quality training and development opportunities can help level the playing field for underserved communities, giving them the tools they need to compete for higher-paying jobs and achieve greater economic mobility.
For example, providing training and development opportunities for individuals with disabilities can help break down barriers to employment and improve their access to job opportunities. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, only 19.3% of people with disabilities were employed in 2020, compared to 61.8% of people without disabilities. By providing access to training and development, we can help improve the skills and qualifications of individuals with disabilities, making them more competitive in the job market and increasing their chances of finding meaningful employment.
Similarly, investing in training and development for felons reentering society can help break down barriers to employment and reduce recidivism rates. According to the Prison Policy Initiative, the unemployment rate for formerly incarcerated individuals is five times higher than the general population, and they are more likely to return to prison. By providing access to quality training and development, we can help support the successful reentry of formerly incarcerated individuals into the workforce, reducing recidivism rates and improving their economic prospects.
At Advancing The Seed, Inc., we believe that investing in people through training and development is key to creating a more equitable and just society. By providing access to quality training and development opportunities, we can help bridge the skills gap, promote economic mobility, and create a more skilled and productive workforce.
Through our work, we are committed to bringing equity to the economic mobility of underserved communities and individuals. We believe that by providing access to quality training and development content and systems, we can help empower individuals to achieve their full potential and create a better future for themselves and their communities.
As a nonprofit organization, we are committed to working with partners and stakeholders to promote access to training and development opportunities for underserved communities. Together, we can build a more equitable and just society, where everyone has the opportunity to succeed and thrive. We are dedicated to this mission and look forward to continuing to work towards a future where training and development are accessible to all, regardless of background or circumstance. Join us in this important work, and together, let's invest in people to create a more equitable and just society.