One strategic goal in the post-hurricane recovery plan for Puerto Rico is the development of a modern workforce with relevant skills to meet the demands of an evolving labor market. To begin, Puerto Rico must first overcome the acute workforce challenges and structural problems that have impeded economic growth for more than a decade. The authors set out a course of action that strengthens the K-12 and post-secondary education and training system, develops career pathways for individual workers that would improve their employment trajectories, and better aligns workers skills with employment opportunities and the needs of local businesses. More specifically, the authors present four strategies to address short-term workforce shortages and needs. A critical fifth strategy then reimagines Puerto Rico's entire workforce development system to support Puerto Rico's economic development and community well-being. This longer-term strategy can be implemented in tandem with any of the short-term strategies, depending on which strategies the government of Puerto Rico decides to implement. Any long-term workforce development policies or strategies must, however encompass training and education across the spectrum of education levels, from high school diplomas to technical certificates to master's degree and higher. The report includes recommendations to improve Puerto Rico's workforce development system cross-industry and specific recommendations for construction, health care, energy, and education industries.

With government-industry-education planning, these longer-term policies and initiatives could better link job opportunities by municipality, occupation, and industry and ultimately propel economic development in Puerto Rico. Book jacket.