News

Harrisburg, PA: Today, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro presented his 2023 budget with a significant focus on workforce development. Carrie Amann, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Workforce Development Association, made the following statement.

“Today, Governor Josh Shapiro outlined his vision for building the nation’s strongest workforce in Pennsylvania. We appreciate the amount of focus on workforce development and the workforce system. Workforce development will be at the forefront of the Administration’s priorities.

The governor’s plan to invest more money in apprenticeships will expand how Pennsylvanians of all ages can enter the skilled labor market. Similarly, increasing funding for career and technical education will provide Pennsylvanians with an essential pathway to start and advance in high-paying, high-quality jobs and give our businesses access to a strong and talented workforce. 

Shapiro also called on establishing an unemployment compensation system that works for Pennsylvanians – an effort that requires partnership with Pennsylvania’s local workforce development boards. Our local workforce development boards are working with Pennsylvanians to achieve success; our input is valuable in the Governor’s efforts to ‘fix the mess.’

In addition to new investments and focus on workforce development, we also need to make data and information available to stakeholders to make the system more responsive to the needs of workers, employers, and job seekers. This session we are focusing on legislation that will #FreetheData and reduce the extreme lag in data released by the commonwealth. The inability of stakeholders to get timely data inhibits our ability to react to the current workforce needs. We should make employment and workforce data available to workforce agencies and stakeholders in real-time. We can actively improve our workforce development efforts and ensure we are implementing policies that positively impact and respond to real-world conditions. 

We look forward to partnering with the Shapiro Administration as they work to improve our workforce development system for workers, employers, and job seekers.”

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

Last week, Carrie Amann, the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Workforce Development Association joined other workforce leaders at Dauphin County Technical School for a panel discussion with WITF’s Spark program. 

Hosts Scott LaMar and Aniya Faulcon discussed non-traditional career pathways with a panel of students, educators, and professionals.

The Spark traveled to the Dauphin County Technical School, and hosts Scott LaMar and Aniya Faulcon, spoke with employers, educators, administrators and students about in demand careers; with an emphasis on some young people pursuing careers that many would not picture them seeking.

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On The Spark Monday, employers shared what they’re looking for from students looking to enter the workforce; and administrators, teachers and students from the Dauphin County Technical School shared how they are working to give them exactly what they want.

Carrie Amann discussed the landscape for students entering the workforce and the supports available for students and training and education institutions. 

The program aired yesterday at noon, and you can listen to it here: https://www.witf.org/2023/02/27/how-can-one-succeed-on-a-nontraditional-career-path-the-spark-traveled-to-dauphin-county-technical-school-for-answers/

Last week, Carrie Amann from the Pennsylvania Workforce Development Association (PWDA) appeared before the Pennsylvania Republican House Policy Committee to share their thoughts on how to improve the workforce development system in the state. 

Carrie focused on better preparing Pennsylvania’s workforce to meet the needs of employers and make Pennsylvania’s workforce the strongest in the nation.

Where are the Workers?

According to the Center for Workforce Information & Analysis, there is a shortage of workers in Pennsylvania, with only six available job seekers for every ten job openings. Local workforce boards have an essential role to play in bridging this gap. The local workforce development system partners with employers to recruit and retain skilled talent and support individuals in finding and keeping family-sustaining work.

Skilling Up Pennsylvania’s Workforce

The local workforce development system centers on re-employment with family-sustaining wages. Over 60 PA CareerLink® locations across the state serve thousands of workers, job seekers, veterans, and youth to help them acquire in-demand skills and be career-ready. Additionally, local workforce development boards work with community organizations to promote career opportunities and provide access to quality careers.

Workforce Development is Economic Development

Investing in workers’ skills and training is essential for attracting and retaining businesses, creating quality jobs, and improving the standard of living for all Pennsylvanians. Aligning economic and workforce development is crucial to maximizing business attraction and growth in Pennsylvania.

#FreeTheData

A simple policy change that could make the workforce development system more responsive to the needs of employers, workers, and job seekers is to make employment and workforce data available in real time. The current lag time of 12-18 months for data release makes it difficult for workforce partners to develop and deploy timely strategies. By accessing existing data, local workforce development boards can more efficiently address gaps in the service delivery system and improve transparency and openness in government.

Ultimately, PWDA is committed to working with businesses, educational institutions, community organizations, and government agencies to develop and implement programs that provide workers with the skills they need to succeed in the 21st-century economy. The association hopes to pass legislation that will #FreeTheData and make workforce data available in real time to local workforce agencies and stakeholders. The goal is to create a more competitive and prosperous Pennsylvania where all residents can benefit from a strong, resilient, and effective workforce development system.

Harrisburg, PA – Today, the Pennsylvania Workforce Development Association congratulated Gov. Josh Shapiro and Lt. Gov. Austin Davis on their inauguration into office. Carrie Amann, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Workforce Development Association, made the following statement.

“We congratulate Governor Josh Shapiro and Lt. Governor Austin Davis on their inauguration to office. We look forward to working with Gov. Shapiro and Lt. Gov. Davis as they build their administration and implement workforce policies. 

Governor Josh Shapiro’s focus on workforce development policy during the campaign is encouraging for our association and its members. Like Gov. Shapiro, we know that workforce development policy allows policymakers to engage in a bipartisan collaboration that provides solutions for job seekers, workers, and businesses. 

Gov. Shapiro’s campaign plan to increase apprenticeship funding is a game-changer for making it easier for Pennsylvanians to enter the skilled workforce. Likewise, his proposal to expand industry partnership funding will provide an essential pathway for Pennsylvanians to enter and advance in high-paying, quality careers while giving our businesses access to a robust and trained workforce. Creating a streamlined Office of Workforce Development could also help state government provide superior service to our workforce development system and knock down bureaucratic barriers that prevent success. 

We look forward to partnering with the Shapiro Administration as they work toward their goals of building 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

Harrisburg, PA – Today, the Pennsylvania Workforce Development Association congratulated Gov.-elect Shapiro’s cabinet nominees, including those who oversee and interact with Pennsylvania’s workforce development system. Carrie Amann, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Workforce Development Association, made the following statement.

“Gov.-elect Josh Shapiro has appointed a strong team of cabinet nominees who will help make Pennsylvania’s workforce the strongest in the nation. We look forward to partnering with his administration and its leaders to implement the Governor-elect’s vision. 

Nancy Walker has a long record as a champion for Pennsylvania workers. We look forward to working with her to modernize Pennsylvania’s CareerLink network. We want to ensure we meet workers and businesses where they are to ensure we are providing the training that workers need and the workforce that drives our businesses. 

Khalid Mumin has taught, trained, mentored, and led students in multiple Pennsylvania school districts. He understands our students’ and school districts’ unique needs, and we look forward to working with him to help prepare our students for fruitful careers. 

Rick Siger has deep experience in emerging technologies, stakeholder engagement, and policy. As Pennsylvania seeks to strengthen relationships between universities, employers, and students, Rick Siger will be well-positioned to drive change and help to improve our workforce, and strengthen Pennsylvania’s Industry Partnerships. 

Dr. Valerie Arkoosh has experience administering workforce programs as a County Commissioner, and we are excited for her to bring this experience and perspective to the Department of Human Services. Among the department’s many functions, they play an integral but often overlooked role in Pennsylvania’s workforce development system. We look forward to working with a leader whose firsthand experience with workforce development can help shape the department’s engagement with stakeholders and the workforce development system. 

We look forward to working with all of these strong leaders and Governor-elect Josh Shapiro’s administration to meet his goals of building 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

PWDA Seeks to Work with the General Assembly to #FreetheData and Improve our Workforce Development Systems

Harrisburg, PA – Yesterday, the Pennsylvania General Assembly members were sworn in for the upcoming legislative session. Carrie Amann, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Workforce Development Association, made the following statement on the swearing-in and the organization’s goals for the upcoming legislative session. 

“The Pennsylvania Workforce Development Association would like to offer our sincerest congratulations to all legislative members on swearing-in for a new session. We look forward to working with you to support the workforce development needs of our commonwealth and its citizens.

First, we hope to pass legislation that will #FreetheData. The extreme lag in data released by the commonwealth inhibits our ability to react to the current workforce needs. We should make employment and workforce data available to workforce agencies and stakeholders in real-time. We can actively improve our workforce development efforts and ensure we are implementing policies that positively impact and respond to real-world conditions. 

Second, we invite all members to talk with us and learn more about our complex workforce development system. We have many opportunities to ensure that Pennsylvanians get the services they need and our employers have access to a high-quality workforce. We look forward to partnering with the legislature to make this a reality. 

We are confident that together, we can achieve great things and build a brighter future for all Pennsylvanians. Thank you for your dedication and commitment to serving the people of Pennsylvania.”

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 

“Your worth is not defined by what you achieve or acquire. It’s a question of who you become and how you contribute to others.”

Adam Grant

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PENNSYLVANIA WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION CONVENES 800 PROFESSIONALS AT 38th ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Welcomes Gov. Wolf, Launches Local Workforce System Award

  

Camp Hill, Pa.  –  After a two year run as a virtual conference, the Pennsylvania Workforce Development Association (PWDA) kicked off its 38^th annual conference earlier this week at the Hershey Lodge.

PWDA represents the state’s 22 local workforce development boards and the associated, extensive statewide workforce development system. Its annual conference welcomes hundreds of leaders in workforce development across Pennsylvania, and is an interactive event providing up to the minute research and training, inspiring front-line staff to change job seekers’ lives, and fostering the essential statewide workforce network.

The theme of this year’s conference is “workforce redesigned,” reflecting the many changes in the workforce system as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and other notable factors affecting employment, including the snowballing retirements of the Baby Boomer generation, the “baby bust” that the United States is currently experiencing, as well as the so-called “Great Resignation.”

Governor Tom Wolf and the Leadership Panel

On Friday May 6th, PWDA hosted Governor Tom Wolf as part of its Leadership & Policy Panel, also featured Jennifer Berrier, Secretary, PA Department of Labor & Industry, Meg Snead, Acting Secretary, PA Department of Human Services, and Tanya I. Garcia, Deputy Secretary and Commissioner for Postsecondary and Higher Education, Pennsylvania Department of Education.

 

New Award Recognizes Montgomery County Workforce Professional

Also this year, in recognition of the hard work and commitment shown by workforce staff throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, PWDA is launching a third award category — the Workforce Phoenix Award, which was celebrated on Thursday, May 5th. The award, made by the PWDA on a nomination from a member, recognizes a workforce development professional who demonstrates innovation and leadership, act as a change-maker, and provide excellent service to customers and colleagues.

The inaugural winner of the Workforce Phoenix Award is Roe Falcone, Regional Director of Operations at Educational Data Systems Inc., a Dearborn, Michigan-based, national workforce development, talent solutions and consulting company.  

“The Annual Conference of the Pennsylvania Workforce Development Association is a big part of professional development for workforce professionals, and we are delighted to be back in person,” said PWDA Executive Director Carrie Anne Amann, MPA.

“This year, we are particularly excited about our new Workforce Phoenix award, which recognizes the often unseen contributions of our professionals, critical work that lifts up Pennsylvanians in need of a job, new skills, or a different career and puts them on a path to success and the only base solid enough to ensure true and lasting economic stability: a family-sustaining job,” Amann continued.

Governor’s Achievement Employer Awards Winners

PWDA also presented its prestigious Governor’s Achievement Employers Awards together with its partners, the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR), the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry Workforce Deputate (L & I), and the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. This award recognizes Pennsylvania employers that are exemplary supporters of workforce, community, and economic development in the commonwealth, and which have created jobs and partnered to hire skilled workers through Pennsylvania’s workforce development system. These awards were presented at a luncheon on May 4th.

This year’s winners of the Governor’s Employers Awards are:

• Advanced Food Products, New Holland and CNH Industrial, a global company with a location in New Holland
• Christ the King Manor, DuBois
• Washington Health System, Washington
• Fellowship Community, Whitehall
• Pita Chip Restaurant, Philadelphia
• Community Interactions, Inc., Swarthmore
• Ann Kids Child Day Care Center, Philadelphia
• InspiriTec, Philadelphia and Wyomissing

 

The Lancaster County Workforce Development Board jointly nominated Advanced Food Products (AFP) and CNH Industrial ( CNH) CNH) for their contributions to Career Ready Lancaster!, a business-education partnership launched in 2019.

“We salute Peter [Caddick] and Jodi [Pace] for their time commitment, for that of CNH Industrial and Advanced Food Products, for allowing them company time to be committed to such an important initiative, and for their relentless effort to champion and grow Career Ready Lancaster! Into a model career pathways initiative for the state,” said Anna Ramos, Lancaster County Workforce Development Board chief operating officer and PWDA member.

Governor’s Achievement Awards for Individuals

The final category of PWDA awards, the Governor’s Awards for Individual Job Seekers, which are also presented jointly with L & I, OVR, and DHS, presented to winners at a ticketed luncheon on Thursday, May 5th.  These awards celebrate individual jobseekers who used “extraordinary personal effort” to take advantage of the resources provided through the workforce development system to achieve an employment and/or education goal. This award is presented in both adult, student, and youth categories. This year’s winners are:

• Priscila Sepulveda, Reading
• Theresa O’Donnell, Hatfield
• Cara Valentine, Susquehanna
• John J. Gallo, Valley View
• David R. Margic, Johnstown
• Raymol “Sammy” Rodriguez, Williamsport
• Tina Garrido, Camp Hill
• Nathaniel Hite, McKeesport
• Temple Carter, Whitehall
• Aaron Bucher, Altoona
• Cameron Piper, Hollidaysburg

Priscila Sepulveda, a single mother of two, was nominated by the Berks County Workforce Development Board for her tenacity in completing a commercial driver’s training program and obtaining her CDL license, despite the many obstacles she faced, which included the pandemic, poverty and risk of homelessness, language barriers, and mental health challenges. She entered the EARN program in October 2020, and today is making $26 per hour in a permanent position driving 25 – 30 hours a week for Atlas Transportation.

“Priscila demonstrates the positive outcomes behind an optimistic and resilient attitude accompanied by a consistent work ethic and open communication ,” said Dan Fogarty, Executive Director of the Berks County Workforce Development Board, who submitted the nomination. “PA CareerLin® continues celebrating Priscila and her success.”

In addition to its three awards programs, PWDA offers two days of professional development and training to its members and conference registrants. You can explore the conference program on the PWDA website at https://pwda.memberclicks.net/annual-conference.

 

Pennsylvania Workforce Development Association represents the state’s 22 local workforce development boards, and through them hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians looking for living wage and community-strengthening jobs.  PWDA members operate the state’s 60+ PA CareerLink® centers.

 

PA Workforce Development Association hosts panel on homelessness and workforce development

Camp Hill, Pa. (Dec 9, 2021)  –  The Pennsylvania Workforce Development Association (PWDA) will hosted a virtual panel on the growing risk of eviction and foreclosure in the Commonwealth and how the workforce development system can help address it.

Guests on the panel are Robert Cherry, Chief Executive Officer at Partner4Work, the leader of the public workforce system for Pittsburgh and Allegheny County; Robert Henry, Administrator of the Chester County Partnership to End Homelessness at the Chester County Department of Community Development; and Mike McKenna, Chief Executive Officer of Tenfold, a nonprofit organization providing solutions to housing challenges in Lancaster County and Southcentral Pennsylvania region.

PWDA Executive Director Carrie Anne Amann will host the one-hour webinar that is part of the PA@Work series connecting leaders to collaborate, strategize, build capacity, and identify innovative solutions that lift up Pennsylvania workers, employers and communities.

“The PA@Work series focuses on the intersection of workforce development and the social determinants of health, including access to care, food, insurance coverage, income, housing, and transportation,” Amann said. “Our association represents the entire workforce system across the Commonwealth, and there is perhaps no more pressing challenge for so many working families as access to safe and affordable housing.”

Mike McKenna says that his agency, which works to ensure quality, fair and affordable housing that is inclusive to  all people through proactive coaching, education, lending, and advocacy, says in Lancaster County alone there are over 5,000 applications in the Emergency Rental Assistance Program.

“Many people experiencing homelessness are working, but homelessness is just one symptom of a much broader set of challenges, which include systemic racism, a shortage of affordable housing, and the zoning obstacles faced when trying to build housing closer to where the jobs are outside of Lancaster City,” McKenna said.

Robert Henry agrees, and said that this year his agency has funneled more than $34.5 million in Emergency Rental Assistance Program money to Chester County families still recovering from the economic impact of the pandemic.

“We have to get more creative in finding solutions,” Henry said, pointing as an example to the Promise Program at West Chester University, which provides year-round campus housing and wrap around services to students experiencing homelessness.

Robert Cherry, who took over the leadership role at Partner4Work in July, pointed out the many obstacles people face in securing and keeping affordable housing.

“We see people hit a “benefits cliff,” when they start to make too much money to qualify for housing subsidies and other supports,” he said. He said he hopes to bring programs like the one he participated in Milwaukee that allows people to retain their housing benefits if they save, rather than spend, the money that would otherwise have disqualified them from public assistance.

“Right now, we all see that employers across the Commonwealth need employees, but many communities refuse to allow new, affordable housing to be built,” Cherry said. He added that the workforce system is a key ally on this critical issue.

For more information and to watch a replay of the webinar, please visit the PWDA’s website at https://pwda.memberclicks.net/learningseries.

 

Pennsylvania Workforce Development Association represents the state’s 22 local workforce development boards, and through them hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians looking for living wage and community-strengthening jobs.  PWDA members operate the state’s 60+ PA CareerLink® centers.

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Inaugural fellows begin intensive program in government relations best practices

Camp Hill, Pa. –  The Pennsylvania Workforce Development Association (PWDA) today inaugurated its Policy and Advocacy Fellowship Program, welcoming 16 participants from public, private, and nonprofit workforce organizations throughout the Commonwealth to its virtual certificate course.

PWDA Executive Director Carrie Anne Amann greeted the workforce professionals, all chosen from through an application-only process, in an online session this morning.

“This new program has two goals,” Amann said. “To raise the collective capacity of our workforce system members to engage in workforce development advocacy at the federal, state, county, and local level and to provide selected fellows with intensive training on the federal and state legislative, administrative, and appropriations processes, as well as tangible experiences in developing and utilizing advocacy strategies.”

The members of the PWDA Policy and Advocacy Institute Fellows Inaugural Class are:

• Angelic Hardy, Lock Haven University 
• Anna Ramos, Lancaster County Workforce Development Board 
• Dillon Moore, Partner4Work 
• Gwen Ross, PA Dept. of Community & Economic Development 
• Hillary Lyle, SCPA Works 
• Jamece Joyner, PhilaWorks 
• Jennifer Diaz, Goodwill Keystone Area 
• Judd R. Pittman, PA Dept. of Education 
• Kim Bell, Rosedale Technical College
• Lauren Holubec, Harrisburg University 
• Markese Long, Partner4Work 
• Marlyn Barbosa, Tec Centro SACA
• Mary Turner, Reading Area Community College 
• Pam Streich, Workforce Solutions for North Central PA 
• Shuana Davis, PA Dept. of Labor & Industry 
• Tara Dwyer, PA Office of Child Development and Early Learning

The program is virtual this year out of an abundance of caution about the COVID-19 risks, Amann said. She hopes it will be in person in 2022.

The first order of business for the fellows today will be to meet the members of their small working groups, which will be assigned a collaborative public policy project. They will work on this project for the duration of the course, until their graduation on January 26. They will be recognized with certificates at a ceremony held during the 38^th Annual PWDA Conference from May 4th through 6th.

Tomorrow, a panel of distinguished public policy experts will provide the fellows with advice on effective lobbying and messaging. The panelists are Kathy Manderino, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Distillers Guild and former member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry; Doug Hill, former Executive Director, County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania; and Bill Bova, a lobbyist with Long Nyquist & Associates.

“The workforce system plays a critical role in Pennsylvania – helping people find jobs or acquire new skills, supporting local employers and strengthening regional economies, and fighting poverty with the only base solid enough to anchor economic stability: a good job for everyone who needs one, “ Amann said. “In this program, the fellows can expect to have fun and learn, and at the same time become more effective advocates for the workforce system and the hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians who rely on it.”

For more information on the PWDA Policy and Advocacy Fellowship Program, please visit the PWDA website at https://www.pawork.org/

Pennsylvania Workforce Development Association represents the state’s 22 local workforce development boards, and through them hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians looking for living wage and community-strengthening jobs. PWDA members operate the state’s 60+ PA CareerLink® centers.

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