Supporting a 21st century workforce in Puerto Rico : challenges and options for improving Puerto Rico's workforce system following Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017 / Gabriella C. Gonzalez, Kathryn A. Edwards, Melanie A. Zaber, Megan Andrew, Aaron Strong, Craig A. Bond.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Gonzalez, Gabriella, author.

Edwards, Kathryn A., 1964- author.

Zaber, Melanie A., author.

Andrew, Megan, author.

Strong, Aaron, author.

Contributor:

Bond, Craig A. (Craig Andrew)

Rand Corporation. Homeland Security Operational Analysis Center.

Rand Corporation.

United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Labor supply--Puerto Rico--21st century.

Labor supply.

Economic development--Puerto Rico--21st century.

Economic development.

Hurricane Irma, 2017.

Hurricane Maria, 2017.

Economic history.

Puerto Rico--Economic conditions--21st century.

Puerto Rico.

Other Title:

Supporting a 21st Century Workforce in Puerto Rico

Place of Publication:

Santa Monica, Calif. RAND Corporation 2020

Summary:

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.

Contents:

Introduction

Historical Context and Current Challenges for the Workforce System in Puerto Rico

Acute Workforce Needs as Puerto Rico Recovers from Hurricanes Irma and Maria

Macro Estimates of Labor Supply Constraints to Puerto Rico's Recovery

Strategies for Developing a Workforce in Puerto Rico to Meet Short- and Long-Term Needs

Implementing the Workforce Development System Framework to Support a 21st-Century Workforce in Puerto Rico

Conclusions

Appendix A. Full Text of Economic Team's Implement Workforce Development Programs COA

Appendix B. Data Sources and Analytic Approaches

Appendix C. Postsecondary Institutions in Puerto Rico, December 2018

Appendix D. Recommendation to Improve Puerto Rico's Workforce Development System by Industry.

Notes:

See also RAND/RR-2595-DHS, RAND/RR-2597-DHS, RAND/RR-2598-DHS, RAND/RR-2599-DHS, RAND/RR-2600-DHS, RAND/RR-2602-DHS, RAND/RR-2603-DHS, RAND/RR-2604-DHS, RAND/RR-2605, RAND/RR-2606-DHS, RAND/RR-2607-DHS, RAND/RR-2608-DHS, RAND/RR-2858-DHS, RAND/RR-2859-DHS, RAND/RR-2861-DHS, RAND/RR-3040-DHS, RAND/RR-3041-DHS, RAND/RR-3042-DHS.