Our Perspective on Workforce Development and Our 'Why'

From Chicago to Chingola, people are faced with economic disparity, social exclusion, and various conflicts that threaten sustainable development; and in these instances, workforce development serves as a foundational pillar for advancing equity, inclusion, peace, and resilience. Through Konesens Learning, our commitment extends beyond professional training—we seek support the empowerment of communities impacted by violence by fostering sustainable economic opportunities. A well-trained workforce, equipped with the skills and access to well-paying jobs, plays a pivotal role in promoting long-term peace and prosperity. 

We know that…

Workforce development is not simply about job placement; it is a holistic approach to ensuring individuals, particularly those from historically marginalized communities, have access to opportunities that promote economic mobility. Equity and inclusion in workforce development demand policies, programs, and initiatives that actively remove barriers to education, training, and employment.

The reality is that many communities around the world that are impacted by violence struggle with systemic obstacles such as inadequate access to quality education, skills training, and career opportunities. These barriers disproportionately affect women, minorities, and individuals living in poverty. While the contexts may be different, addressing these disparities requires intentional strategies such as:

• Accessible Educational Pathways: Providing vocational training, apprenticeships, and certification programs that align with industry demands.
• Inclusive Employment Practices: Ensuring hiring policies actively recruit from underrepresented groups.
• Support Systems: Mentorship programs, career counseling, and professional networking opportunities designed to help individuals succeed in their chosen fields.

This is the training and technical assistance that we provide or are in the process of developing to support workforce development.

Workforce development plays an essential role in creating pathways to employment that not only elevate individual livelihoods but also foster resilience and peace. Typically, regions with higher employment rates and stable economic opportunities experience lower crime rates and reduced instances of violence. Economic opportunities offer individuals alternatives to cycles of poverty and instability, reducing the likelihood of recruitment into criminal enterprises or extremist movements.

This brings us to our “Why”

We love humanity, oftentimes in spite of humanity.

We believe that each individual has the innate right to “be and become", and we want to help foster that.

And we remain steadfast in ensuring that in the most challenging communities that workforce development becomes more than just an economic initiative—it is invested in as a necessary vehicle for transformational change. A well-trained workforce is the cornerstone of resilient communities, and by investing in people, we invest in peaceful and sustainable cities and countries.

References:

· The International Labour Organization (ILO)'s Employment and Decent Work for Peace and Resilience, https://normlex.ilo.org/dyn/nrmlx_en/f?p=NORMLEXPUB:12100:0::NO::P12100_ILO_CODE:R205) (2017) 

· The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)'s Employment Programmes and Peace, https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/publications/Employment%20Programmes%20and%20Peace.pdf  (2016) 

· The American Institutes for Research (AIR)'s Workforce Development for a Future-Ready, Resilient Economy, https://air.org/sites/default/files/WDEMP-Importance-of-Workforce-Development-Brief-April-2021.pdf (2021)