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Community colleges can deliver a vibrant future for Pennsylvania | Opinion

Workforce Development

By John J. “Ski” Sygielski As Pennsylvania continues to grapple with disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the projected workforce shortage is alarming, especially in areas of critical need like education and health care. Pennsylvania lost 500,000 jobs in 2020. The state’s unemployment rate has been slow to recover. But, the leaders of Pennsylvania’s community …

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Gene Barr: Probation reform a solution to Pa.’s workforce crisis

Workforce Development

For over a century the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry has advocated for policies that help make Pennsylvania a first-rate state, attract investment and strengthen our communities. Today, we are focused particularly on policies to address workforce shortages that are holding back our economy and preventing employers from recovering. Addressing this challenge will require a multi-pronged …

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High gas prices present another hurdle in bringing workers back to the office

News, Workforce Development

Amna Nadeem is excited about starting her job as a software engineer at Google. She interned with the company last fall — remotely. But beginning mid-April, the 22-year-old recent college graduate will be going into the office at least three days a week. So gas prices, which have inched up toward $6 per gallon in …

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Pennsylvania to receive ‘hundreds of millions’ to help fund rural internet expansion

Uncategorized

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey recently said Pennsylvania will receive more than $20 million to expand broadband and high-speed internet access in the Southern Alleghenies region. It is part of a number of efforts statewide to extend high-speed internet in a more equitable way. Last summer, the Pennsylvania Association of Intermediate Units and Penn State Extension conducted …

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Eric Barron: University innovation, investment keys to Pa. growth

Uncategorized

Within the current state budget cycle, governors across the country are investing more heavily in higher education. This is encouraging to those of us who firmly believe that colleges and universities have the power to elevate individuals, as well as society overall. Progress is born from innovative ideas, diverse perspectives and access to the right …

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For a full recovery, the US must address its child care crisis

Uncategorized

On Tuesday — in the face of converging crises of war, the ongoing global pandemic and an uneven economic recovery — President Biden acknowledged that this is a tough time for all Americans. But here’s the truth: Families with children under five are struggling more than everybody else. From housing to diapers, families with young children face …

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Covid pandemic puts pressure on Pittsburgh region’s child care services

News, Workforce Development

Like so many businesses over the past two years, the child care industry has been whipsawed by the covid pandemic and its impact on the economy. Some parents working from home or leaving their jobs have pulled their children from child care, which creates openings — if the centers can find sufficient staffing. But workers …

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Pennsylvania led gas-producing states in production in 2021, report says

Uncategorized

Pennsylvania led the pack of natural gas-producing states in growth last year. A recent report from the state’s Independent Fiscal Office shows total Pennsylvania production recorded the strongest year-over-year growth of any top-five gas producing state through November of last year at 7.9%. The state still ranked second in the amount of gas collected, behind Texas. Production …

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Wolf’s RGGI fixation will slow Pennsylvania’s recovery

Energy, Tax Reform

Gov. Tom Wolf’s timing for imposing a new energy tax could hardly be worse. Pennsylvania’s economy is trying to recover from the pandemic’s brutal effects. Yet, Wolf’s fixation to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) ignores that the policy will raise families’ energy bills and cripple local businesses. Wolf has tried – without the …

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