Workforce Development Specialists: How to Become One
If you were to ask a group of workforce development specialists about how they arrived at their current job, there's a good chance you would get several different answers about the paths and steps that each person took.
That said, there are still ways that you can develop a baseline understanding of the preparation that is necessary to become one.
The Best Adult Colleges and Careers Guide has gathered data to provide you with insight into the type of education that's commonly required for workforce development specialists to land a job. This page contains information, sourced from real job postings, that describes the experience levels and specific skills that employers of workforce development specialists expect candidates to have. In the end, this information will help you create an education or professional development plan that aligns with your career aspirations.
Keep reading to learn more about career steps for workforce development specialists.
What Education & Experience is Needed for Workforce Development Specialists?
Do workforce development specialists need a degree? What kind of experience do workforce development specialists typically need? Thanks to data sourced from Lightcast™ from real job postings, we can get some clarity on those questions, as well as the level of education that is commonly required for workforce development specialists to secure jobs.
Education Level Required in Job Postings for Workforce Development Specialists
Jobs Postings for Workforce Development Specialists By Education
- Bachelor's degree: 57,005 (48%)
- No Education Listed: 26,740 (23%)
- High School or GED: 19,698 (17%)
- Master's degree: 12,346 (10%)
- Ph.D. or professional degree: 2,527 (2%)
A bachelor's degree is the level of education sought the most by employers of workforce development specialists. According to job data, a bachelor's degree was required for 48% of positions. In 23% of job listings no education level was listed and in 17% of postings a High School diploma or GED was required.
Experience Level Required in Job Postings for Workforce Development Specialists
Jobs Postings for Workforce Development Specialists By Experience
- 0-1 Years: 12,432 (19%)
- 2-3 Years: 30,399 (46%)
- 4-6 Years: 17,650 (27%)
- 7-9 Years: 2,838 (4%)
- 10+ Years: 2,539 (4%)
While the amount of required experience will vary based on the responsibility and seniority of the position, an aggregate view of job posting data can help paint a picture of the experience level sought for most job openings for workforce development specialists. In 46% of job postings for Workforce Development Specialists, employers were looking for candidates with 2-3 years of experience. In 27% of listings employers were looking for candidates with 4-6 years of experience, while 0-1 years of experience was sought in 19% of job postings for workforce development specialists.
What Kind of Degree Do Workforce Development Specialists Need?
So far this page has provided detail into the level of education and the amount of experience required in job openings for workforce development specialists, but what type of education or degree will help prepare you for a career in the field?
According to occupational data obtained through Lightcast,™ there are 3 key academic programs that can help prepare prospective workforce development specialists, and in 2021 a total of 20,780 of those programs were completed at institutions in the United States.
Check out the information below to learn more about the specific programs that should be considered by prospective workforce development specialists.
Top Degree Programs for Workforce Development Specialists
Top 5 Degree Programs for Workforce Development Specialists (2021)
| Program | Completions |
|---|---|
| Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General. | 18,408 |
| Human Resources Development. | 2,315 |
| Executive/Career Coaching. | 57 |
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Degree Options for Workforce Development Specialists
Find ways to attract, train, and retain the very best talent by implementing effective benefits and labor-relations strategies.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
- Accreditation: IACBE
- Class Type: 100% online
- Years To Complete: 3
Learn the strategic skills needed to be a leader in the evolving field of Human Resources.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Months To Complete: 14
- Accreditation: IACBE
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
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- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
What Skills Do Workforce Development Specialists Need?
Education and experience have been covered, so what are the specific skills and traits needed by workforce development specialists to secure a job?
A good way to understand this is to examine actual job postings for skills commonly sought by employers. Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for workforce development specialists, as well as common skills that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Workforce Development Specialists
Based on 101,700 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Workforce Development Specialists
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Learning Management Systems | 15,796 | 16% |
| Project Management | 14,765 | 15% |
| Adult Education | 12,171 | 12% |
| Instructional Design | 11,862 | 12% |
| Curriculum Development | 11,861 | 12% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Workforce Development Specialists
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communications | 50,056 | 49% |
| Management | 33,841 | 33% |
| Leadership | 25,781 | 25% |
| Operations | 23,873 | 23% |
| Customer Service | 22,796 | 22% |
Based on 101,700 job postings related to workforce development specialists, learning management systems was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 16% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for project management, adult education, instructional design, curriculum development and technical training were also highly sought.
As for common skills, communications was the most desired skill found in job postings for workforce development specialists, followed by management, leadership, operations, customer service and writing.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Learning Management Systems | 15,796 | 16% |
| Project Management | 14,765 | 15% |
| Adult Education | 12,171 | 12% |
| Instructional Design | 11,862 | 12% |
| Curriculum Development | 11,861 | 12% |
| Technical Training | 9,306 | 9% |
| Auditing | 7,955 | 8% |
| Marketing | 7,735 | 8% |
| Workflow Management | 5,522 | 5% |
| Training Records Management | 4,867 | 5% |
| Process Improvement | 4,724 | 5% |
| Data Analysis | 4,604 | 5% |
| Adult Learning Principles | 4,078 | 4% |
| Organizational Development | 3,910 | 4% |
| Virtual Training | 3,838 | 4% |
| Microsoft SharePoint | 3,623 | 4% |
| Train The Trainer | 3,564 | 4% |
| Sales Training | 3,473 | 3% |
| Change Management | 3,429 | 3% |
| Employee Onboarding | 3,377 | 3% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communications | 50,056 | 49% |
| Management | 33,841 | 33% |
| Leadership | 25,781 | 25% |
| Operations | 23,873 | 23% |
| Customer Service | 22,796 | 22% |
| Writing | 22,271 | 22% |
| Microsoft Office | 21,941 | 22% |
| Presentations | 21,911 | 22% |
| Training And Development | 21,371 | 21% |
| Microsoft Excel | 20,431 | 20% |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | 20,212 | 20% |
| Planning | 16,874 | 17% |
| Detail Oriented | 15,291 | 15% |
| Problem Solving | 14,965 | 15% |
| Research | 14,920 | 15% |
| Coordinating | 14,360 | 14% |
| Sales | 14,046 | 14% |
| Coaching | 13,365 | 13% |
| Interpersonal Communications | 13,290 | 13% |
| Teaching | 12,830 | 13% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information about workforce development specialists? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for workforce development specialists.
What do workforce development specialists do?
How much do workforce development specialists make?
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