The future of workforce diversification requires the development of unique workforce skills

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It has become increasingly important for businesses across every industry of this nation today to ask themselves if they are walking the talk of their promises, their commitments to each other and to those they serve, and to ask themselves what mark they will have on this world for many years to come. We have come to a time in this country where the employees and investors of the future are making their choices based on a company’s commitment to social and environmental responsibility. Companies are now beginning to evaluate their impact on the communities they serve and are working toward ensuring that their own internal values are a reflection of those communities. With new generational values at play, many communities are holding industries accountable to meeting the actions behind their words. This requires plans for environmental responsibility and a strong diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) commitment for equitable growth with diverse talent. There is a clear and distinct connection that exists between the sustainability of our environment and the ethics that are carried out in our interactions with each other on this planet. These are known as the three “Es”: Environment, Ethics, and Economics.

According to Deloitte, millennials are the most traditionally diverse, digitally connected, and socially minded group of professionals that will make up 75 percent of the workforce by 2025. Millennials care far more about diversity and inclusion than previous generations and in many ways are literally and figuratively invested in diversity and inclusion in every industry across the country. According to a recent survey from Glassdoor, 76 percent of employees and job seekers said a diverse workforce was important when evaluating companies and job offers. Since 2008, the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) has asked new graduates to rank the importance of a diverse workforce. In the first year, diversity ranked 12th out of 15 options. By the spring of 2020, it had risen to 7th out of 19 options, with more than 79 percent of respondents calling it “very important.”

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Diversity, inclusion, and belonging (DI&B) job opportunities are popping up all over the country, with significant growth over the last three years. It is recognized as a new and emerging job industry of specific skills that people do not have, where there is increased demand that is growing at astronomical rates. From 2019-2020 DI&B jobs rose 56.3% from 140 jobs per million to 219. After the spring of 2020 moving forward, the growth rate in these jobs has been 123%. These positions include everything from entry-level positions to the C-suite, with companies making unprecedented moves to meet the challenge and requirements before them.

Job titles include Diversity Recruiter, Chief Diversity Officer, DEI Manager / Director, Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Director of Training for DEI, DEI Program Director, DEI Consultant and more. As of early 2023, there are nearly 8,000 open jobs listed on Indeed and nearly 30,000 on Glassdoor with diversity, equity, and inclusion in the title or in the job skills requirements.

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As an emerging industry, many professionals of all backgrounds, including human resources, business, healthcare management, manufacturing leadership, financial management, and more, are transitioning into DEI-specific roles within their industry but lack the professional and formal education in DEI, and as a result, are trying to justify transferable skills to be qualified for these positions. There is a need for formal upskilling education in diversity, equity, and inclusion, as every industry in America is impacted by social, generational, and demographic changes that they have never experienced before. DEI is one of the top priorities across industries, and there are not enough qualified people to hold these positions.

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Join the cause and help to create a more equitable and sustainable world for us all.