KJA’s Service on the Governor’s Workforce Development Board

KJA’s Service on the Governor’s Workforce Development Board

April 2026

K. Jennings & Associates is honored to serve as a volunteer member of the Maryland Governor’s Workforce Development Board (GWDB) and its Workforce Committee, deepening our commitment to building equitable, future-ready talent pipelines across the state.

As the Governor’s chief strategy and policy-making body for workforce development—and Maryland’s state board under the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)—the GWDB plays a critical role in shaping how Maryland residents prepare for, connect to, and thrive in meaningful work.

Advancing Maryland’s Workforce Vision

The GWDB is charged with guiding Maryland’s entire workforce system, bringing together leaders from business, education, government, and community organizations to set strategy and drive coordinated action. Its core priorities closely mirror KJA’s values and the work we do with small businesses and community-centered organizations:

• Build talent pipelines that supercharge key sectors across the state.

• Address barriers to employment to increase access, inclusion, and equity.

• Prepare the future workforce through affordable, high-quality, career-connected learning.

• Align systems, services, and resources to strategically leverage Maryland’s assets.

• Support collaboration among local workforce development boards to spark on-the-ground, region-specific talent solutions.

By participating in this work, KJA is able to bring a small business and community-focused lens to statewide conversations that directly impact employers, jobseekers, and future talent—especially in underrepresented communities and among Black women entrepreneurs and professionals.

Tackling Data, Equity, and Alignment

One of the biggest challenges Maryland’s workforce system faces is not a lack of information but a lack of alignment. Workforce data currently lives across multiple programs, agencies, and reports, without a single unified source of truth. That makes it difficult to clearly understand impact, identify what’s working, uncover gaps, and decide where coordinated action is most urgently needed.

As a member of the Workforce Committee, KJA contributes to discussions and recommendations aimed at:

• Making data more actionable for decision-makers, employers, and training providers.

• Ensuring that equity is not just a talking point, but a measurable outcome.

• Elevating the needs of small businesses—who are often closest to community talent but furthest from large systems design tables.

For KJA, this service is not just about policy; it’s about people. It’s about making sure Maryland’s workforce strategies reflect the realities of small employers, early-career professionals, and communities that have historically been left out of opportunity.

Why This Work Matters to KJA Clients and Partners

Our clients and partners—especially small businesses and Black women–owned firms—are navigating a labor market that is changing faster than ever. Participating in the GWDB and Workforce Committee allows KJA to:

• Stay ahead of statewide workforce trends, funding priorities, and talent initiatives that impact hiring, training, and retention.

• Advocate for policies and programs that make it easier for small businesses to tap into skilled, prepared local talent.

• Build stronger relationships across Maryland’s workforce ecosystem that translate into resources, partnerships, and opportunities for the businesses and communities we serve.

At K. Jennings & Associates, relationships and long-lasting partnerships are at the heart of everything we do. Serving on the Governor’s Workforce Development Board is an extension of that commitment—ensuring that as Maryland’s workforce system evolves, the voices and needs of small businesses and community-centered organizations are included at every step.