Our Work | Tools & Solutions
Workforce Development Boards & Other Workforce Organizations
The CAEL difference:
For more than half a century, CAEL has helped workforce development board (WDB) leaders connect workers with work-relevant education and training that lead to high-demand, high-wage jobs with local employers. We maximize the economic growth WDBs can deliver through their direct impact and through partnerships with training and services providers across the workforce ecosystem.
Capacity building to maximize impact
CAEL’s strategic advice and coaching services support WDB planning and implementation processes that deliver outcomes tailored to the objectives of state officials and employers. Informed by data-driven resources that include labor market analysis and comprehensive ecosystem scans, we help optimize WDB investments, demonstrate their impact along key performance metrics, and attract new funding. Our specializations include diagnosing local talent needs, evaluating existing training options, and developing career pathways that empower regions to connect participants and jobseekers with education and training programs. Each approach supports individual worker attainment of high-demand skills and industry-aligned credentials to ensure WDBs meet systemic performance indicators, such as employees trained, program completion, and increased wages.
Connecting the dots that support thriving ecosystems:
CAEL helps WDBs scale impact by identifying activities and opportunities for holistic partnerships, including grant-funded opportunities. We lead convenings, peer-to-peer networking, and other collaboration among WDBs, chambers of commerce, employers, government entities, postsecondary education and training organizations, and industry associations to initiate and grow effective local, regional, and national partnerships.
Challenges we address:
- Demonstrating how WDB spending impacts key performance metrics.
- Diversify funding portfolios effectively.
- Aligning stakeholders to co-develop and implement initiatives.
- Driving wage gains among participants in WDB-provided training and education.
- Demonstrating the impact of WDB initiatives to state officials, CLEO, and employers.
- Finding partners with expertise in a specific domain (government, employers, higher ed, workforce development, funders).
- Driving skill and credential attainment aligned to employer needs.
Solutions we offer:
- Apprenticeship support.
- Credit for prior learning.
- Career pathway development and mapping.
- Ecosystem scans and analysis.
- Education asset inventory.
- Employer and other stakeholder convenings.
- Building and leading industry associations like NACTEL and EPCE.
- Funder/philanthropic relationships.
- Labor market data access and analysis.
- Quantifying impact through measurable outcomes.
- Occupational transition crosswalks.
- Professional development and coaching.
- Stakeholder engagement and partnerships.
- Strategic workforce planning.
- Talent attraction and career navigation platforms.
- WIOA local plan consulting.
Workforce development organizations are the fastest growing sector in our CAEL Membership. Join this dynamic and engaged group of professionals who are committed to championing the success of adult learners. Our members are CAEL's backbone, providing you an expert community of practice and driving us to fulfill our mission.
Want to learn more? Let's talk.
If your institution or organization is seeking guidance, solutions, or support from CAEL, or if you have an idea for a future collaboration initiative with us, please reach out. We'd love to connect.