From Today to Tomorrow: A Talent Roadmap to Support Economic Recovery in Hawaiʻi

AUGUST 2020

Created by HWFC Members: Hawaiʻi Community Foundation, Harold K.L. Castle Foundation, Strada Education Foundation in partnership with Hawaiʻi Executive Collaborative, Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻi P-20, Jobs for the Future

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This report was created to address the severe economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Hawai‘i, particularly the high unemployment rates and loss of jobs in key sectors like tourism. It is designed for state leaders, industry stakeholders, education and training providers, and workforce development agencies, offering a strategic plan to rebuild the economy by developing a robust talent pipeline. The roadmap focuses on three core strategies: expanding work-based learning, rapid reskilling and credentialing, and growing sector-based strategies in healthcare, technology, and skilled trades. By fostering collaboration across sectors, the report aims to ensure local workers fill Hawai‘i jobs, provide employment for displaced workers, and build sustainable, equitable career pathways for all residents.

key insights

• What industries are the fastest growing with the highest paying jobs?

  Healthcare: Registered Nurses, Physicians, Medical and Health Service Managers.

  Technology: IT professionals, Software Developers, Information Security Analysts.

  Skilled Trades: Electricians, Construction Managers, Skilled Technicians.

• What strategies can support economic recovery and workforce development in Hawaiʻi?

  Expand Work-Based Learning: Initiatives such as virtual internships and remote work-based learning can help students and workers gain valuable experience. Paid experiences for young people in fields like conservation and human services can also build employability skills while supporting community benefit.

  Rapid Reskilling and Credentialing: Short-term credentialing programs that develop in-demand skills can help displaced workers quickly transition into new roles, particularly in growing industries like healthcare and technology.

• How can Hawaiʻi support small businesses during economic recovery?

  Providing immediate support for workers transitioning to other industries is crucial. Strategies include "lifeboat" jobs that offer immediate income without requiring additional education, and retraining programs that prepare workers for in-demand roles in sectors like logistics and healthcare.

• What role does education play in Hawaiʻi's economic recovery?

  Aligning Education with Labor Market Needs: Increasing the availability of high-wage jobs through education and training aligned with labor market needs is essential. Postsecondary education and industry-recognized credentials can significantly enhance individuals' career prospects and contribute to economic growth.

  Long-Term Education Strategies: Engaging youth in career exploration opportunities in emerging sectors such as clean energy can provide them with hope and understanding of available economic advancement opportunities, thereby creating a skilled workforce for the future.

• What are priority sectors for economic resilience in Hawaiʻi?

  Healthcare and Technology: These sectors are highlighted as resilient and capable of supporting economic recovery. Investments in these areas can provide durable job opportunities and support long-term economic stability.

  Sustainable Tourism: Re-envisioning the tourism industry to prioritize smaller-scale local businesses, cultural ecotourism, and sustainable practices can help rebuild this critical sector in a more resilient and inclusive manner.

• Other Key Recommendations

  Create and scale equitable work-based learning opportunities that deliver clear benefits for both participants and employers.

  • Short Term Activities:

    • Transition to virtual work-based learning and career exploration.

    • Create paid experiences for young people that allow them to build employability skills while working for community benefit.

    • Develop on-the-job training programs designed to meet immediate talent needs in priority industry sectors.

  • Long Term Activities:

    • Develop and scale apprenticeships, potentially using the Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Program (IRAP) model.

      • Hawaii Carpenters Apprenticeship and Training Fund

      • Pearl Harbor Apprenticeship Training

      • Hawaiʻi is Hiring

  Increase opportunities for workers to quickly reskill and upskill through the expansion of short-term credentialing opportunities that develop in-demand, transferable skills.

  • Short Term Activities:

    • Identify and expand short-term credentials that develop transferable skills and lead to high-demand occupations.

    • Use labor market information to identify targeted transferable skills.

    • Build immediate re-connections to the labor market through “lifeboat” jobs.

  • Long Term Activities:

    • Align K-12 Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs to in-demand credentials and prioritized industries.

    • Leverage the strengths of the University of Hawaiʻi system to develop clearly outlined career ladders.

    • Support industry investments in tuition reimbursement, career advancement, and earn-and-learn strategies.

  Advance industry-driven solutions to meet shared goals to bounce back from economic downturn. 

  • Short Term Activities:

    • Create targeted supports – such as funding and incentives – for small businesses, especially those in priority sectors.

    • Design sector-sponsored, short-term reskilling and upskilling programs.

    • Strengthen relationships across business and educational institutions to ensure new graduates meet industry needs and seamlessly transition into the workforce.

  • Long Term Activities:

    • Develop new networks in priority sectors to determine common needs, share best practices, and develop sector-based solutions.

      • Sector Partnerships:

        • IT

        • Healthcare

        • Creative Industries

        • Clean Energy / Skilled Trades

        • Natural Resource Management

      • Reimagine a tourism industry focused on sustainable practices grounded in Aloha ʻāina and the culture of Hawaiʻi.

• Key Policy Recommendations

  Sustain and grow cross-sector leadership

  • Adopt policies focused on cross-agency collaboration.

  • Revisit state WIOA and Perkins Plans.

  Incentivize industry leadership and engagement

  • Offer financial incentives and promote sector strategies.

  • Invest in intermediaries.

  Support High-Quality Rapid Reskilling and Credentialing Programs

  • Expand state aid for postsecondary education and training.

  • Encourage competency-based education and training models.

  • Support career navigation and counseling services.

• Participant Survey Key Findings

  • Requests to actively fund work-based learning, career exploration, and career experience opportunities

  • Need to target supports for small and local businesses

  • Initiatives and institutions with a proven track record of success

  • Need to reimagine tourism and hospitality and prioritize sustainability in the redesign process

  • Embrace of aloha ʻāina and investment in local and sustainable practices

  • Support for emerging industries to diversify the economy

  • Enhanced statewide capacity for remote learning

  • Cross-sector collaboration

  • Emergency resources are needed while focusing on long-term strategic planning

  • Strengthened technology infrastructure and equitable broadband access