Build a talent pipeline
At AAWDC, we build and strengthen talent pipelines through Industry Collaboratives, strategic partnerships between businesses and workforce development partners. Led by the Local Workforce Development Board (LWDB), these collaboratives work to identify workforce challenges, develop solutions, and ensure a steady flow of skilled talent to meet current and future demands.
We focus on high-growth industries critical to our region, including Healthcare, I.T./Cybersecurity, Transportation, Construction/Skilled Trades, and Hospitality (HITCH), developing customized solutions based on industry needs.
Our work includes:
- Targeted skills training to equip new candidates with in-demand skills
- Apprenticeship development to reduce turnover and increase productivity
- Career mapping to build clear pathways for employee advancement
- Industry awareness campaigns to expand potential candidate pools
Every solution is shaped by direct industry feedback, ensuring an approach designed to meet unique workforce needs.
Attract skilled talent
Quickly fill critical openings with the right candidates by utilizing our recruitment and placement services. AAWDC offers no-cost solutions to streamline the hiring process and connect your business with qualified job seekers in Anne Arundel County. Our experienced recruitment team can:
- Post open positions through our employment portal and external job boards
- Screen and evaluate applicants based on specific qualifications
- Organize custom hiring events at our Career Center or your location
To get started, visit our employment portal and email
recruiter@aawdc.org.
AAWDC can also connect you with:
- Skilled candidates from often-overlooked talent pools, including individuals with disabilities, veterans, military spouses, transitioning service members, and justice-impacted individuals.
- Opportunities to implement a Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP), a proven strategy for training and retaining employees while fostering long-term workforce stability.
- Our BWI Business Solutions Center, a recruitment hub for businesses located at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport that may lack access to traditional recruitment and hiring spaces.
Retain key talent
Employee turnover can be costly—don’t lose your valuable staff unnecessarily. We help businesses retain key talent by offering solutions that keep employees engaged, motivated, and loyal. Our focus is on creating career advancement opportunities that not only improve retention but also boost productivity and job satisfaction.
How we help:
- Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs): We assist in developing apprenticeships for new or existing employees, providing opportunities to skill up and get the most out of their career.
- Career Mapping & Employee Advancement Plans: We can guide you in building pathways for career development, helping employees envision a future with your company.
- Local Wage and Salary Data: We offer up-to-date information on typical wages and salaries in your industry and region to help you stay competitive.
- Industry Best Practices: Learn from other businesses in your industry about strategies to reduce turnover and improve employee satisfaction.
Transition & Outplacement Services
While we focus on retention, we also understand that sometimes layoffs are inevitable. If you find yourself in this position, our transition and outplacement services can help ease the process for your employees, offering them resources and guidance as they transition to new opportunities.
Upskill star talent
We develop customized training solutions designed to enhance the skills of frontline workers, supervisors, and managers. Created in partnership with your Human Resources (HR) team, these programs help your business stay competitive and poised for growth.
We can assist you in:
- Enhancing specialized knowledge and skills for new employees
- Preparing employees with the skills needed for promotion or transition
- Building essential workplace skills needed by employees at all levels through Workplace Excellence, our essential soft skills curriculum
If cost is a concern, we may be able to connect you with available resources to help make training more accessible.
Apprenticeship solutions
Looking to develop a skilled, dedicated workforce? A Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) could be your solution. By building your talent from within, you create a pipeline of loyal workers who “earn while they learn” through structured, hands-on experience.
The perks of providing apprenticeship:
- Build Your Workforce
- Invest in a team that’s trained specifically in skills needed to drive your business success.
- Reduce Turnover Costs
- Apprentices boast high retention rates, with about 91% staying for at least one year after employment.
- Increase Productivity
- Apprentices report high motivation, satisfaction, and loyalty, providing a positive return on investment for employers.
- Promote Workplace Safety
- A well-trained workforce can help lower workplace risks and reduce worker compensation costs.
- Plan for Employee Succession
- Apprenticeships allow experienced employees to seamlessly pass on knowledge to new recruits.
- Access Financial Incentives
- Maryland offers businesses valuable support to build a reliable pipeline of qualified workers.
AAWDC makes it easy for your business to develop, implement, and manage a successful apprenticeship program without being overwhelmed by the process. We guide you every step of the way, helping with everything from program design to candidate recruitment and funding applications.
