Training Across Generations: Addressing the Diverse Needs and Uplifting the Strategic Strengths of a...

Government public health agencies are navigating challenging changes in funding, policy, and shifting priorities. Now more than ever, agencies must address the training needs of their multigenerational workforce in order to sustain and strengthen the public health ecosystem.

This paper identifies the patterns in perceived training needs and strategic strengths across generational groups within state and local government public health agencies, and examines whether differences in formal public health education affect the training needs across those generations, utilizing data from the Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey (PH WINS).

48 state- and 1,178 local- public health departments.

56,595 eligible employees from state and local public health departments.

Nationally, the top three training needs were Budget and Financial Management (51%; 95% CI: 50%-51%), Policy Engagement (40%; 95% CI: 39%-41%), and Systems and Strategic Thinking (34%; 95% CI: 34%-35%). These are fairly consistent within each age group, except for Change Management, which is a top need for the youngest age group (36%; 95% CI: 35%-38%). Formal public health training plays a role in decreasing perceived training needs and bolstering strategic strengths.

The perceived training needs of the state and local public health workforce indicate a changing relationship between generational dynamics, lived experiences, and formal public health education. Public health agencies should promote and support intergenerational learning and collaboration among all age groups within the workforce. This approach can enhance workforce development initiatives, leading to a more robust workforce.