Workforce: How to Plan for the Future When it Already Feels Like DEFCON 1
Workforce: How to Plan for the Future When it Already Feels Like DEFCON 1
Christopher Carter, MPA President Connecticut Assisted Living Association
Emily DeRocco Chief Executive Officer E3 Engage Educate Employ
The Challenge Finding, developing, and retaining a quality workforce are among the most significant cost drivers in the Senior Living Industry and likely the single biggest “pain point� for the industry’s executives.
1.4 million job openings will need to be filled by industry through 2025.
Competition for talent with other service industries is growing
90% + of Senior Living facility operators report a shortage of licensed nurses, direct care workers, and other critical staff
A Senior Living Industry Public Policy Agenda
To address the Senior Living Industry’s workforce challenge a public policy agenda must be developed and prioritized to: • Articulate a new narrative positioning the industry as an economic driver • Seek skills-based immigration reform to broaden the industry’s labor pool • ‘Grow your own’ workforce • Expand the industry’s talent acquisition pool with non-traditional sources of talent
Policy Agenda Priority:
A New Narrative for the Senior Living Industry • Leverage economic impact data to make the case for the industry as an economic driver • Partner with state and regional business organizations to influence policy and access resources • Collaborate on a regional/local level for maximum impact and influence • Create a high-level summary of the new industry narrative; build and implement a strategic communications plan around it
Policy in Practice: Connecticut’s Story
Policy Agenda Priority:
Seek Immigration Reform • Join and/or lead a consortium of industry/economic sector organizations seeking to influence immigration reform • Identify critical provisions of a new skills-based system that would: • Directly address workforce shortages in senior living • Align with the repositioning of the senior living sector as an economic driver
Policy Agenda Priority:
“Grow Our Own” Workforce • Build and implement competency-based education pathways • Expand the use of Apprenticeships • Provide non-Apprenticeship work-based learning opportunities • Adopt standards-based, nationally portable, industry-recognized credentials for the most in-demand careers • Advocate for higher education loan forgiveness tied to caring for the nation’s aging population
Policy in Practice: Connecticut’s Story
Policy Agenda Priority:
Expand Senior Living’s Talent Acquisition Pool • Pilot a proven model of action to engage and develop Opportunity Youth and seek legislative reforms to remove barriers for bringing that pilot to scale. • Advocate for policies and programs that attach job training in high-demand fields and employment outcomes to public assistance programs.
THANK YOU Emily Stover DeRocco CEO, E3 Engage Educate Employ Vice President, Education & Workforce, LIFT (202) 360-9125 | ederocco@gmail.com Christopher Carter Executive Director Connecticut Assisted Living Association (860) 434 5760 | cpcarter@ctassistedliving.com