According to Funk, the strongest communities don’t view education and workforce development as separate priorities. Instead, they intentionally connect education with employer needs and create pathways that prepare students for real careers. He pointed to states like Tennessee and Indiana, where investments in workforce-aligned education, technical training and employer partnerships have helped build stronger talent pipelines. Tennessee’s efforts include programs that help students earn credentials tied directly to in-demand careers, while Indiana has invested in workforce training programs that help employers develop the skilled workers they need. Although every state’s approach is different, Funk said the common thread is intentional collaboration between education and industry. That alignment pays dividends for employers. Communities with stronger workforce systems often have deeper pools of job-ready candidates, reducing hiring challenges while making the region more attractive to companies looking to expand or relocate. “The lesson is that workforce development works best when it is intentional,” Funk said. “When that happens, workers benefit, employers benefit, and the whole region becomes more competitive.” For Oklahoma City, that’s exactly why employers have an important role to play. “If businesses want access to skilled, prepared employees, they need to be active partners in helping shape the systems that prepare them,” Funk said.
A strong workforce doesn’t happen by accident. It takes employers, educators and community partners working together to prepare people for the jobs of today and tomorrow. That’s a lesson Bob Funk Jr., CEO of Express Employment Professionals, has seen firsthand through the company’s network of offices across North America. “The strongest workforce pipelines are found in communities that understand workforce development does not happen in isolation,” Funk said. “Businesses cannot solve it on their own, and neither can schools. It takes a real partnership between employers, educators, civic organizations and others who care about the long- term health of the community.” That philosophy aligns closely with the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber’s regional education and workforce initiative with CivicLab, which is bringing together business, education and community leaders to create a shared strategy for strengthening Oklahoma City’s talent pipeline. As the Chamber continues that work, Funk’s perspective offers a look at what successful workforce partnerships look like in practice. BUILDING TOMORROW’S WORKFORCE STARTS TODAY
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