Harrisburg, PA – Today, Gov. Josh Shapiro released his 2024-25 budget proposal. Carrie Amann, the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Workforce Development Association, released the following statement.
“We’re encouraged that Gov. Shapiro recognizes the importance of workforce development and robust and diverse career pathways.
As our most recent Pennsylvania Workforce Trends report found, Pennsylvania has more job openings than workers. It is a mismatch driven by demographics and skills.
If we want to bridge this gap, we need to make investments that strengthen pathways for Pennsylvanians to enter and keep quality jobs.
The Governor’s investments in Industry Partnerships provide employers with the necessary resources to identify the needs and gaps of our workforce and train workers to reach their career pathway potential. Additionally, the proposed new model of higher education presents a critical connection with Pennsylvania’s workforce development system to education. We are also interested in the Governor’s proposal to support youth internships as well as the aim to build a one-stop-shop for career pathways. We are hopeful that the administration engages the Association and its members as it develops these models in support of our workforce system.
Pennsylvania’s local workforce development system sits at the intersection of industry, the workforce, and education. Workforce development is bipartisan, and we look forward to working with the administration and the legislature to build the strongest workforce in the nation.”
The Pennsylvania Workforce Development Association (PWDA) serves as the voice of the Pennsylvania workforce development system and a clearinghouse for workforce development information statewide. Known for Pennsylvania’s premier annual workforce development gathering every spring, we provide development and capacity building opportunities to workforce development professionals, local workforce development boards (WDBs), and other stakeholders while continuing proactive advocacy efforts on behalf of Pennsylvania’s workforce development system. Learn more by visiting https://www.pawork.org