The University of Â鶹´«Ã½ plays a pivotal role within a new statewide coalition dedicated to securing Â鶹´«Ã½¡¯s economic future. As a founding member of the “Generational Workforce Commitment,” UH is uniting with government, business and philanthropic sectors to ensure that by 2045, every resident has a clear path to a living-wage career.
“Building on the State Unified Plan, the Commitment takes a comprehensive, data-driven approach to ensure our keiki can build careers right here at home,” said Gov. Josh Green. “This isn¡¯t about quick fixes. It¡¯s about generational change. When we align our schools, our university system, our employers and our state agencies around a common goal, we create real pathways for Â鶹´«Ã½‘s families to earn living wages and thrive in our state.”
Learn, work, thrive
The initiative is driven by the Learn, Work, Thrive Hui¡ªa coalition co-facilitated by the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii and the Â鶹´«Ã½ Workforce Funders Collaborative (HWFC). HWFC acts as a catalyst organization, bringing philanthropic partners together to support a unified workforce strategy.
Matt Stevens, executive director of HWFC, noted that this shared governance is essential for solving entrenched economic issues.
“We know Â鶹´«Ã½¡¯s workforce challenges aren¡¯t simple, and they can¡¯t be solved alone by any one organization or stakeholder,” said Stevens. “This Commitment is about choosing to work differently over the long term: staying focused on shared outcomes, making tough decisions, and investing in what actually changes people¡¯s lives”.
Strengthening educational pathways
Education systems are a critical part of ensuring that pathways to these outcomes are accessible, seamless and durable over time. Through the Commitment, alignment between the Â鶹´«Ã½ State Department of Education and UH is strengthened, building the shared infrastructure needed to efficiently connect learners across the state to existing, unfilled good jobs today, while increasing the system¡¯s ability to adapt as new industries and opportunities emerge over the coming decades.
“Expanding on sector partnerships and increasing work-based learning opportunities like internships are explicit goals of the Commitment, and aligned closely with UH¡¯s strategic plan,” said Christine Beaule, UH director of workforce development.
“Our responsibility to the next generation is twofold: we must provide the rigorous academic preparation all students deserve and need, while creating the conditions that allow them to build a life in the islands,” added Stephen Schatz, executive director of Hawaii P–20 Partnerships for Education.