Celebrating a Decade of Impact: Workforce Week’s 10-Year Journey

Since 2015, Workday’s unwavering commitment to Workforce Week has had a transformative impact on bridging the opportunity divide. What began as a humble initiative at our California headquarters has blossomed into a global movement, uniting companies, communities and job seekers in the pursuit of meaningful, thriving-wage careers.

The Birth of Workforce Week

Ten years ago, we launched Workforce Week with a simple yet powerful vision: to involve our employees in our Workday Foundation mission to create career pathways that unleash human potential.

Our inaugural volunteer event focused on a week of career development activities at several Workday sites for job seekers in our local communities, and provided them with the tools, resources and connections needed to help them succeed in the job market.

Little did we know this initiative would grow exponentially, and include inspiring panel sessions, workshops, breakout events, resume reviews, one-on-one coaching sessions, mock interviews and giving opportunities, reaching across continents and industries, and touching countless lives.

The Power of Social Capital

Central to Workforce Week’s success is the concept of social capital and networking. Having the chance to build a network of professional relationships is crucial for job seekers, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds. Our employee volunteers at Workday have helped thousands of individuals build this vital social capital, opening doors to new opportunities and long-term career success.

Expanding Horizons and Building Partnerships

Over the years, Workforce Week has grown exponentially, and in support of that, so have our partners. We have proudly partnered with tech giants like Salesforce, LinkedIn, Okta and DocuSign, hosting Workforce Week events and virtual career workshops across the globe. This collaborative effort has enabled us to bring Workforce Week to cities such as Chicago, Atlanta, Dublin, London, New York and Paris, working alongside over 40 workforce development nonprofit partners globally. To this day, we make all of our event resources and toolkits available on our website to any school, company or individual who wants to host a Workforce Week in their community.

Navigating Change

The past decade has been full of change. The global COVID-19 pandemic is an example of that, and it exposed and exacerbated existing social and economic inequalities, disproportionately affecting diverse communities. In response, we adapted swiftly, transitioning for a couple of years to a virtual format of Workforce Week so we could continue our mission amidst unprecedented circumstances. The virtual events not only maintained our momentum but also introduced job seekers to the future of remote work, preparing them for the evolving job market.

Embracing Innovation and Reskilling

As we look to the future, the importance of reskilling cannot be overstated. The demand for digitally enabled careers continues to rise, and many individuals find themselves needing to pivot their career paths. A recent study from LinkedIn shows that skills required for jobs will continue to change by an average of 65% by 2030. Workforce Week has been instrumental in helping job seekers acquire in-demand tech skills, thanks to partnerships with organizations like Year Up, JVS, Upwardly Global, INCO, ADA, JobCare, Generation, Per Scholas and many, many more. Together, we are equipping the workforce with the skills needed to thrive in in-demand careers for years to come.

Accelerate Your Career

Whether you’re a student, someone transitioning to a new industry, returning to work from a hiatus, or a veteran transitioning to civilian life, there are programs available to you here at Workday. Here’s how you can accelerate your career with us or our partners:

1. Participate and Learn: Take part in Workforce Week-style events offered by companies in your community. These events provide valuable resources, workshops, and networking opportunities to help you succeed in the job market.
2. Develop Your Skills: We recognize that individuals gain skills through alternative routes, such as self-paced learning or on-the-job training. Consider exploring programs offered by nonprofit organizations like Year Up to help you develop in-demand skills without the need to pursue an advanced degree.
3. Network and Connect: Workforce Week events offer a chance to build relationships with professionals in your field. Take advantage of these opportunities to expand your network and open doors to new career possibilities.

A Decade of Making a Difference

For 10 consecutive Workforce Weeks, our dedicated Workmates have donated thousands of volunteer hours, impacting the lives and careers of job seekers around the world. From California to Paris, from in-person events to virtual workshops, Workforce Week has proven to be a scalable and sustainable program, poised for even greater growth and collaboration in the years to come.

As we celebrate this decade of achievements, we remain steadfast in our commitment to creating economic equality for all. Here’s to the next 10 years of Workforce Week — together, we can continue to make a difference, one career at a time.

A brighter work day is just around the corner. ☀️ Explore career opportunities here. For more #WDAYLife content, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.