Workforce development

Workforce development and climate adaptation

Linking local and regional workforce development with climate adaptation and mitigation has been an a federal focus. However, research reveals a gap in the peer-reviewed and gray literature in both the theory and practice of rural workforce development related to climate change, climate adaptation, and/or food security on local, regional or state-wide levels.

Many climate adaptation plans mention the need for incorporating workforce development into climate adaptation, yet in Alaska, details are lacking on planning, implementation, and importantly, follow-through on job placement. The importance of jobs and workforce development is often put forward as an essential capacity-building component of rural communities. However in practice, workforce development plans are often siloed from other planning efforts, treated as secondary, or not implemented. While tribal climate adaptation plans acknowledge the need to include workforce development, they often fall short in producing actionable elements of workforce development. Agritourism, blending agriculture and tourism, is emerging as a form of economic development in rural communities. To date, no research exists on how climate change may enhance opportunities for agritourism in Alaska