Business owners from companies of all sizes have reported difficulty finding qualified job candidates to fill open positions. Several studies have also pointed to this being a real problem, as businesses work to grow and expand in post-recession America. As Pennsylvania faces the unique dilemma of having an aging population and a growing jobs skills gap, it becomes clear that strengthening our workforce development programs needs to be a top priority if we want to position the Commonwealth as a future economic leader.

Achieving this mission requires a multi-pronged approach from educators, business leaders, students and their families. It begins with the knowledge that a four-year college education isn’t always necessary in order to enter into a rewarding and family-sustaining career; and providing tomorrow’s workers with information that will help them get the training they need to advance in a skilled trade position.