Bridging Workforce Development & AI

Sherazade
Written By Lizanne Hart

By Sherazade Langlade, CEO, WPTI

AI is reshaping industries, and workforce professionals must be prepared. Strategic, ethical, and equitable AI adoption is critical to ensuring economic mobility in the age of automation.

At WPTI, we are helping workforce providers integrate AI into job training and career coaching. As an intermediary organization, our role is to contextualize what is happening in the larger economic and labor market context and provide right-sized, accessible solutions for workforce providers to implement practical models that enhance efficiency, equity, and economic mobility.

AI utilization, adoption, and ethics is a growing focus of our work, building off our Digital Transformation Initiative launched in 2020 to help workforce organizations optimize technology and digital tools.

AI in the Job Market & Employer Demand

Through partnerships with leading organizations, such as JobsFirstNYC, the New York City Employment and Training Coalition (NYCETC), Deloitte, FutureFitAI, Roundtable Technologies, and META, we are committed to ensuring that workforce professionals and job seekers are AI-ready.

The demand for AI skills is rising:

  • AI-related job postings in NYC have surged by 44% year-over-year (Center for an Urban Future, 2024).

  • 73% of employers report that AI literacy will be an essential skill for job seekers within the next five years, yet less than 20% of workforce training programs currently incorporate AI skills (Microsoft & LinkedIn Work Trend Index, 2024).

  • AI isn’t replacing jobs—it’s reshaping them. The workforce development sector must proactively help workers develop AI-enhanced skills to stay competitive (Jobs for the Future, 2023).

  • Workforce organizations that integrate AI into job training can increase program completion rates by up to 30%, as AI-powered personalized learning tools help job seekers upskill faster (Deloitte AI Institute, 2023).

  • AI should be a tool for workforce equity, not a barrier—ensuring workforce organizations adopt AI ethically and inclusively is essential for closing economic opportunity gaps (Balidemaj, Clemson University, 2024).

The Challenge

Despite AI’s potential, workforce organizations face major barriers to adoption:

  • Limited resources – Many lack the infrastructure and expertise to integrate AI effectively.

  • Equity risks – AI could widen economic disparities without intentional intervention.

  • Implementation barriers – Workforce professionals recognize AI’s importance but often lack clear guidance.

AI’s Growing Impact on Workforce Development

  • Only 12% of workforce professionals report feeling confident in integrating AI tools into their programming (Pluralsight, 2024).

  • AI and automation will reshape 60% of job roles over the next decade, requiring reskilling and upskilling at scale (Jobs for the Future, 2023).

  • While AI is expected to impact many job tasks, human-centered skills—such as problem-solving, adaptability, and communication—will remain essential in workforce training and career preparation (Hiring Lab & World Economic Forum, 2025).

The Opportunity

AI can enhance workforce training by:

  • Increasing efficiency – AI-powered tools streamline job training and employer engagement.

  • Building AI skills for job seekers – Preparing them for AI-driven workplaces.

  • Expanding economic mobility – Ensuring equitable access to high-quality jobs.

WPTI’s AI Strategy & Offerings

WPTI is leading AI integration in workforce development through:

  • AI Guidelines for Workforce Development – A framework for ethical and effective AI adoption.

  • AI Resource Hub – Offering AI use cases and training materials.

  • Virtual AI Training Sessions – 1.5-hour sessions on AI’s role in workforce training.

  • AI Deep-Dive Bootcamp (Launching Fall 2025) – Hands-on AI adoption coaching.

The Impact

WPTI’s AI initiatives will:

  • Equip 2,500+ workforce professionals with AI knowledge.

  • Provide AI roadmaps to workforce organizations.

  • Ensure NYC becomes a national leader in AI-driven workforce development.

  • Prepare job seekers for AI-driven workplaces, ensuring no one is left behind in the evolving job market.

AI is not replacing jobs—it is reshaping them. Let’s prepare the workforce together.

Want to get involved? Contact us today to explore AI training and workforce innovation opportunities.

Lizanne Hart

http://lizannehart.com
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