*2.6. Advances in TWH Capacity Building*

The capacity building goals in the National *Total Worker Health*® Agenda emphasize the need to build and strengthen the TWH workforce and field [12]. Multidisciplinary and comprehensively trained OSH professionals are essential to apply a TWH approach that addresses complex current and future workplace challenges, such as existing and emerging hazards and exposures, a multigenerational workforce, and rapid changes in technology. An important focus since the establishment of the Office for TWH has been to develop and equip OSH professionals as well as allied workplace professionals with the knowledge, skills, and training to prevent worker injury and illness and to advance health and well-being.

#### 2.6.1. NIOSH Workforce Development Framework Guidance

The NIOSH Workforce Development Framework Guidance, which is an unpublished NIOSH-led document, explores approaches to build capacity and identifies competencies and training professionals need to apply an integrated approach that addresses the diverse needs of the U.S. workforce. In 2014, the Office for TWH shared this guidance with stakeholders and partners. This was an opportunity to identify current training needs and approaches, foster partnerships with research and training centers, and identify additional organizations and collaborators (Schools of Business,

Engineering, Nursing, Occupational Medicine Residency Programs, Public Health, and others). The guidance includes five broad foci necessary for professionals to apply a more comprehensive TWH approach, as well as recommendations for accomplishing this goal:


Key internal/external stakeholders and partners who are in a position to lead this charge include professionals from academia, labor, OSH and health promotion, the private sector, human resources, and international partners and governments. Work in this area by the Office for TWH and myriad partners, some of which is highlighted in this article, is ongoing.
