We're building more resilient, inclusive workforces.
Workforce Development
Our workforce development strategies help clients unlock economic growth while expanding opportunity for all. We work with government, institutions, industry, foundations, and community partners to meet the talent needs of emerging industries and expand access to quality work. Our approach combines deep analytical skills with on-the-ground experience — from managing large stakeholder coalitions to securing federal funding to implement new programs. We’ve guided strategic planning for state workforce offices, managed multi-sector task forces, and supported successful funding applications totaling over $100 million in workforce investments.
HR&A has supported the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) since 2017 to drive investment and strategic partnerships across Los Angeles County toward its ambitious goal of creating 600,000 green jobs by 2050. Our comprehensive work has included conducting foundational research to quantify the region's green economy, providing strategic support for transportation electrification initiatives that informed federal infrastructure investments, and facilitating regional workforce development partnerships to ensure Los Angeles has the skilled labor force necessary to capitalize on historic cleantech investments and achieve its decarbonization objectives.
HR&A developed the Kips Bay Science District Education and Workforce Vision Report for the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), that articulated the vision of the Kips Bay District as the center of New York City’s health and life sciences ecosystems. Leveraging NYCEDC's first-of-its-kind life sciences innovation, career, and education hub, the Science Park and Research Campus (SPARC), would develop the next generation of talent to support this ecosystem and anchor this District.
Since 2022, HR&A has supported New York State's Empire State Development to design and implement a comprehensive workforce strategy for the newly established Office of Strategic Workforce Development. The office’s core focus is to establish strategic priorities for job training aligned with industry needs and to fund new programs – through a $150 million grant program – that connect un- and underemployed New Yorkers especially from historically marginalized communities to in-demand, high-quality jobs in priority industries. Ultimately, this internal and external-facing effort seeks to strengthen New York’s economic competitiveness and expand economic opportunity and mobility for all New Yorkers.
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The Skillful Governor's Coaching Corps has supported 157 career coaching professionals across multiple states and inspired more than 20 governors nationwide to pledge implementation of similar programs in their own states. HR&A collaborated with the Markle Foundation's Skillful Initiative to design and launch these workforce development programs in Colorado, Indiana, and Rhode Island, reshaping how employers recruit workers and how public sector, educators, and nonprofit organizations prepare jobseekers.
Back to Work RI aims to connect thousands of Rhode Islanders with employment opportunities through a $45 million initiative launched by Governor Gina Raimondo and the Governor's Workforce Board, prioritizing people who lost jobs due to COVID and those facing persistent employment barriers. HR&A supported Skillful to design a Rhode Island version of the Governor's Coaching Corps that will equip career coaches to address degree inflation and implement skills-based recruitment, hiring, and retention practices among participating employers.
HR&A collaborated with the Texas Broadband Development Office (BDO) to develop the State’s first ever comprehensive statewide Digital Opportunity Plan, establishing their roadmap to universal broadband availability, affordability, and adoption.
HR&A supported the design and implementation of Skillful Indiana, adapting Colorado's successful model to address the state's workforce challenges. Launched in October 2018, the initiative includes a Governor's Coaching Corps serving cohorts of 35 career coaches who collectively assist 3,500 individuals monthly, and an online Coaching Community of Practice connecting coaches across states for peer learning and resource sharing.
The Skillful Governor's Coaching Corps has supported nearly 90 career coaches across Colorado through three cohorts, establishing the first-in-the-nation model for investing in frontline professionals who connect jobseekers with careers in growing industries. HR&A developed and launched this program with Governor John Hickenlooper in October 2017, creating a replicable framework that has since inspired more than 20 governors nationwide to pledge implementation of similar initiatives.
HR&A helped HERE to HERE unite approximately 25 major employers to transform workforce development in the Bronx, creating systematic pathways connecting local youth with career opportunities. Our feasibility study, operating plan, and strategic convening led to the launch of CareerWise NYC, an apprenticeship program for high school students, and established frameworks for sustained employer investment in developing the borough's talent pipeline.
HR&A is supporting the Center for Economic Growth in developing a strategic plan, operating model, and governance structure for an advanced manufacturing workforce development center in Albany, one of three facilities awardedunder New York State's $200 million ON-RAMP program.
HR&A shaped New York City's approach to sustainability and equity through leadership of two landmark planning initiatives spanning over a decade. Our strategic planning for PlaNYC (2007-2011) and OneNYC (2015, 2019) positioned NYC as a national leader in municipal climate action while evolving the city's governance framework to center equity, ultimately aligning $117 billion in capital investments with community-driven priorities.
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“With this new Roadmap, we’ve defined clear targets and strategies to grow a green workforce that reflects the diversity of LA County and meets the real hiring needs of employers.”
