Workforce education and development (WED) can be broadly defined as those formal, informal and nonformal activities that prepare people for work. In Taiwan, it includes technological and vocational education (TVE), human resource development (HRD), public vocational training and adult education. In order to promote information exchanges and further discussion, this paper, based on literature review, states the main workforce challenges which Taiwan faces and the major trends (i.e., new directions) in the TVE and HRD in Taiwan. Consequently, two workforce challenges which Taiwan faces are firstly identified as follows: (1) Productivity burden in Taiwan's workforce is increasing; and (2) Taiwan faces a quality workforce shortage. Then, the following three trends are identified: (1) TVE focuses on the link between students' learning and employment; (2) Human resource development (HRD) paradigm shifts to workplace learning and performance; and (3) Competency-based education and training (CBET) has been increasingly valued. It is suggested that WED serves as not only a lever, a simple machine, to address the workforce challenges but also a place for its educators/trainers to effectively help students/trainees leverage their competencies for successful careers.