Guest Blog: Private Sector Perspective on the Workforce of the Future
The MEDA and PNC Rural Economic Development Session – Southern Maryland Edition brought together business leaders, MEDA members, and local elected officials will come together to discuss the unique challenges and opportunities in Southern Maryland. Below is a blog by Emily Lacey, Economic Development Specialist Agriculture, Seafood and Small Business for St. Mary’s County Department of Economic Development.
The workforce is constantly evolving, driven by technological advancements, emerging workplace trends, and changing economic landscapes. Kicking off the MEDA and PNC Rural Economic Development Session – Southern Maryland Edition, the "Private Sector Perspective on the Workforce of the Future" panel brought together different industry leaders to share their perspectives on the evolving workforce and how they are adapting to meet the needs of a new generation of workers. Moderated by Chris Kaselemis, Director of St. Mary’s County Economic Development, the panel, in a conversational format, featured great insights from Laural Brinkley, Chief Nursing Officer at CalvertHealth, Laura Wright, Apprenticeship & Training Representative at the Maryland Department of Labor, and Wayne Taylor, President of JF Taylor.
Wright began by highlighting the College of Southern Maryland’s (CSM) Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CMA) program, which combines classroom instruction at CSM with paid, hands-on training at Calvert Internal Medicine, creating a valuable pathway for those looking to enter the healthcare field. By combining paid training with education, programs like these provide individuals with essential practical skills while making career pathways more accessible. Opportunities like these are not limited to the medical field; Wright shared that she has seen a significant push for trade hiring, with many people (over 20 a week) eager to enter apprenticeship programs, reflecting a growing demand for skilled labor as well.
Brinkley dove deeper into the evolving workforce trends in healthcare, reflecting on how much the industry has changed since the COVID-19 Pandemic. She explained that the rapid technological advancements driven by the pandemic have had a positive impact, particularly in improving patient access through telehealth. Additionally, Brinkley highlighted the growing post- pandemic focus on work-life balance, with employers exploring new ways to recognize and support their workforce.
Taylor also emphasized the increasing focus on fostering a supportive workforce environment, recognizing the importance of creating opportunities for employee growth and development. While many businesses adopted telework or hybrid schedules after the pandemic, Taylor’s team remained on-site, valuing in-person interactions for building relationships, fostering a more personal connection, and providing mentorship opportunities. He pointed out that even seasoned employees find themselves learning from newer team members, demonstrating how everyone benefits from sharing knowledge and collaborating.
Taking all these insights together and observing the trends across different industries, it’s clear that businesses are increasingly focused on adapting to the needs and expectations of a modern workforce.
