Workforce Development

Community colleges can deliver a vibrant future for Pennsylvania | Opinion

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

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

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

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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Shifting Natural Gas and Oil Jobs to the Renewables Sector Isn’t So Simple

Within hours of taking office on January 20, 2021, President Joe Biden signed an executive order cancelling the cross-border permit for the Keystone XL pipeline as part of a plan to phase out natural gas and oil, eliminating thousands of family-sustaining jobs. At the same time, the Biden administration promised plenty of “good-paying” positions would …

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Is It Time For Pennsylvania to Get Out of the Booze Business? | Pro/Con

Since the end of Prohibition, Pennsylvania has maintained control over sales of booze. And Republicans don’t like it. In a latest attempt to dismantle the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, State Rep. Natalie Mihalek has proposed a constitutional amendment to ban the state from selling alcohol. If it passes the state Senate and House, it will …

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Satisfaction with Government Regulation of Businesses at Record Low: Gallup

Dissatisfaction with government regulation of businesses has reached a record high among Americans, a new Gallup poll shows. The survey found 60 percent of Americans were dissatisfied with such regulations, a figure that includes 29 percent who want less regulation, 18 percent who want more regulation and 13 percent who are dissatisfied but said such measures should …

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American Airlines Canceling 2 Flights Daily At Philadelphia International Airport Due To Staffing Shortages

If you have summer travel plans booked with American Airlines, you better check with the airline before heading to the airport. American is canceling hundreds of flights because of staffing shortages. “I think it feels like freedom a little bit to get out of the house and to go away like we used to,” said …

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Editorial: Chamber of Commerce pledge ‘Rise to the Challenge’ deserves support

No one was planning for a pandemic when rumblings started in early 2020, but here we are a year and half later trying to understand what happened and where to go next. When it comes to Pennsylvania’s economy, the answers are not as simple as going back to how things were before. Business and political …

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Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry launches second phase of economic initiative

The Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, the state’s largest broad-based business association, recently launched the second phase of its Bringing PA Back economic initiative. Phase one addressed employers’ short-term needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Phase two will focus on creating a framework that will promote long-term economic growth and opportunity. This will be done …

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