What seems to be emerging at the national level is the idea that workforce development, economic development and community development along with education should be an emerging model of integrated systems to better serve a regional economy.
The Congress has delayed for over four years in passing the Workforce Investment Act reauthorization. This has thrown the system into uncertainty at a time when the federal and business investment in the workforce should be growing to mitigate the crisis that is comming with the retirement of the baby boomers.
Yet, short sightedness in the leadership on what should have bi-partisan support for immediate passage is setting up this country for serious times ahead as the short supply of talent and people cause businesses to compete for workers at an unheard of pace. Much can be said of the siloed federal job training system and the corresponding community college system. Both are needed now more than ever.
The rural economy will continue to decline as young people leave for higher paying jobs in the cities. Yet, the cost of living, traffic, housing, education and community factors make this unsustainable. Rural America has a lot to offer but is loosing in the competition for the best and brightest.
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