Workforce development is often associated with higher education, training, professional development or reskilling. However, the foundation of a strong workforce is established much earlier: it starts before a baby is born.
Workforce development begins with early childhood, continues through elementary and high school and beyond. When those components are aligned, students are better prepared for school, work and life. Up to 90% of a child’s brain grows by age 5, faster than any other point in life.
“The early years shape everything that comes after,” said First Things First CEO Melinda Morrison Gulick. “Quality early learning and reliable child care help children develop the skills, relationships and confidence they need before they ever step into a kindergarten classroom.”
As Arizona’s early childhood agency, First Things First invests in proven programs and strategies that strengthen families as their child’s first teacher, improve the quality of early learning environments and expand access to increase kindergarten readiness.
“The early years shape everything that comes after. Quality early learning and reliable child care help children develop the skills, relationships and confidence they need before they ever step into a kindergarten classroom.”
– Melinda Gulick, First Things First CEO
Children who have access to these experiences are more likely to enter kindergarten ready to learn and read proficiently by third grade. They are also more likely to graduate from high school and be prepared for what comes next. These milestones build upon one another, helping set students up for postsecondary education and success in the workforce.
Connecting early learning to Arizona’s big goal
Arizona is striving to ensure that 60% of working-age adults earn a certificate, license or degree through the Achieve60AZ goal from Education Forward Arizona, a nonprofit organization that advocates for quality education and training to improve the quality of life for all Arizonans. Reaching this benchmark increases greater economic and individual prosperity across the state.
Rich Nickel, Education Forward AZ president and CEO, helped design Arizona’s Achieve60AZ goal and has spent the last decade on increasing educational opportunities for low-income students.
“One-third of our youngest learners are now participating in high-quality early learning settings,” Nickel said. “That number was just 21% 2 years ago, an 11-point jump that is already showing up in kindergarten readiness and family stability.”
Achieving this goal requires a holistic approach. Academic success and graduating from high school doesn’t begin in high school or even middle school, it begins at birth. Without a strong early childhood education, students potentially fall behind before they even get started.
Building a stronger Arizona from the beginning
A strong workforce doesn’t start when someone gets a job, it starts with a quality early childhood education. Investing in early childhood is one of the best ways to support Arizona’s future and prepare for growing workforce demands.
Most high-quality jobs in Arizona require advanced skills, but the state isn’t producing enough graduates to meet demand. By 2034, Arizona will need more than 180,000 skilled workers, especially in high-growth and high-wage sectors. Strengthening education and training can help develop local talent to ensure Arizona’s children are ready.
“We know that when families have access to affordable, high-quality child care, businesses see higher retention, lower absenteeism and a more reliable pipeline to talent,” Nickel said. “Early childhood isn’t just a family issue, it’s a workforce and economic strategy.”
