Workforce Development Month: Building a Brighter Future with FAST

September marks Workforce Development Month, a nationwide initiative dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of training, educating, and preparing a skilled workforce to meet the demands of the American economy. As we observe this significant month, FAST (the Foundation for Advancing Security Talent) is highlighting a critical campaign designed to support our mission to bring new talent into the security industry through innovative training, outreach programs, and talent recognition initiatives. 

The Importance of Workforce Development 

Workforce development is more than just a buzzword; it is the backbone of a thriving economy and a secure society. In the security industry, where technology and threats evolve rapidly, having a well-trained, adaptable workforce is essential. Unfortunately, the industry often struggles with attracting fresh talent due to a lack of awareness and misconceptions about career opportunities. This is where FAST steps in. 

FAST is dedicated to bridging the talent gap in the security industry by offering comprehensive programs that educate and connect the next generation of security professionals with exciting careers. Our work focuses on three key areas: outreach, research, and education.  

The Talent Deficit in the Security Industry 

The security industry, much like other skilled trades, is facing a significant talent deficit.

According to Kevin Murphy, CEO of Ferguson, “We have a serious deficit of trade professionals in America. We are over 300,000 workers short for trade professionals in this country. This is a real challenge as we look to grow our economy in the future.”

This shortage of skilled workers is not unique to plumbing and construction; it is a pressing issue across all skilled trades, including in security. The growing gap in trade professionals underscores the urgent need for workforce development initiatives from FAST to attract, train, and retain new talent. 

Investing in workforce development is critical for the security industry to overcome this challenge and ensure its continued growth and innovation. By working through FAST and fostering strong partnerships with educational institutions, offering comprehensive training programs, and supporting career development, we can create a robust talent pipeline that meets the demands of our industry. Workforce development is not just about filling job vacancies; it is about equipping individuals with the skills and opportunities to build fulfilling careers, contributing to the overall health of our economy. As an industry, we must commit to these investments to address the talent shortage, or our struggles will only continue. 

Workforce Development Roundtable: A Path Forward 

As part of our efforts to celebrate Workforce Development Month and drive meaningful change in the security industry, FAST is hosting a Workforce Development Roundtable with our partners TEKsystems and Per Scholas on September 26th, 2024. This virtual event will bring together industry leaders to present FAST’s innovative strategy for attracting and training new talent. Attendees will learn about the latest curriculum designed to equip aspiring security technicians with the skills needed to succeed in this field. Additionally, we will explore how companies can get involved and benefit from this initiative, ensuring they have access to a well-trained, job-ready workforce. 

The roundtable aims to address the most critical challenge in our industry: the need for more talent. We can develop programs that train new technicians and meet the unique needs of our field, but we need the industry involved. This event is a crucial step in our mission to build a robust talent pipeline and help alleviate this talent deficit. We encourage all industry professionals and employers to join us, contribute your insights, and help shape the future of workforce development in the security sector.  

You can register for this free event at advancingsecurity.org.  

Join Us in Making a Difference 

As we celebrate Workforce Development Month, we are seeking partners to help spread the word about our important work. FAST’s goal is to raise $10,000 through our crowdfunding campaign to expand school outreach efforts, engage talent in industry training programs, and enhance our talent recognition initiatives. 

Your support can significantly impact the future of the security industry by providing students and professionals with the resources and opportunities they need to succeed. Together, we can build a brighter, more secure future for all. 

You can help by donating no matter the amount, as every contribution will help us reach our goal and support aspiring security professionals. Additionally, sharing our campaign with your colleagues will help us reach a wider audience. If you are interested in getting involved, you can also volunteer your time and expertise to support our programs and initiatives. 

To learn more or get involved, please visit advancingsecurity.org. 

By investing in workforce development, we are investing in the future of our industry and the safety of our communities. Join us in making Workforce Development Month a success and help us bring new talent into the security industry.