A sectoral employment development strategy – or a “sector strategy” to use industry shorthand – is defined as a systems approach to workforce development – typically on behalf of low-income individuals – that:

• Targets a specific industry or cluster of occupations, working to develop a deep understanding of industry dynamics and the specific competitive situation and workforce needs of the industry’s employers within the region;
  
  
• Intervenes through a credible organization, or set of organizations, crafting solutions tailored to that industry and its region;
  
  
• Supports workers in improving their range of employment-related skills, improving the quality of opportunities for work available to them;
  
  
• Creates lasting changes in the labor market system that are positive for workers and employers. The “systems” that sectoral initiatives typically seek to change or influence include those related to industry practices, education and training, public regulations and/or fiscal policies.

What Sector Initiatives Do. Click here to read more about sector strategies and find profiles of some leading sectoral employment initiatives.

Sector FAQ. Click here to find answers to frequently asked questions about the sectoral employment development approach.

Fast Facts. Click here for a quick look at some of WSI’s findings on the value and effectiveness of the sector approach.

Related Resources. Click here to learn about related resources available from WSI’s partners in the field.