WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ADVOCACY

Pennsylvania Budget Impasse Affect Workforce Development 

Although Pennsylvania’s fiscal year ended on June 30, no budget has been passed, leaving the state in a budget impasse. This lack of funding certainty limits services available to clients until a resolution is reached. Now more than ever, advocacy for workforce development is critical. The Pennsylvania Workforce Development Association (PWDA), the LCWDB’s state association, continues to advocate to ensure our voices are heard as the impasse persists. 

What workforce funding is impacted by the impasse? 

Almost all workforce funds, regardless of their sources, are appropriated by the General Assembly - therefore are impacted by the impasse whether directly or indirectly. This includes Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) local formula funding, rapid response additional assistance and statewide activities; Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); Industry Partnership (IP); PAsmart; and other federal discretionary grant funding. A budget impasse will impact payments for any expenditures that occur July 1, 2025, and after. 

We do not anticipate any budget impasse impacts to Reemployment, Nursing Apprenticeship, Trade Adjustment Assistance, Wagner-Peyser, RESEA, Jobs for Veterans State Grants, Foreign Labor Certification or Work Opportunity Tax Credit funding. 

(Source: Shapiro Administration)

How are PA CareerLinks® impacted by the impasse? 

PA CareerLinks® utilize federal funds. No direction has been received as of yet on how the administration and the Treasury Department will view the use of these funds and spending authority. The PWDA believes the commonwealth should expend federal funds during an impasse and we will advocate for the release of these funds. 

To learn more or help use your voice to end the budget impasse, please reach out to the Board or the Pennsylvania Workforce Development Association: info@pawork.org

KEEPING UP WITH LCWDB  

Bringing Local Workforce Data to the Forefront

The LCWDB, in partnership with EDC Lancaster County, recently concluded this year’s Regional Meetings: Workforce Trends—now in its third year. This annual initiative is designed to bring timely, relevant labor market insights to local employers and workforce development professionals. Over the course of two days, attendees engaged in data-rich presentations and thoughtful conversations that underscored the importance of aligning local information with workforce planning and development strategies. 

During the sessions, Rae Ann Miller of EDC’s Center for Regional Analysis emphasized the importance of localized data. While statewide reports often spotlight larger metropolitan areas like Philadelphia or Pittsburgh, Lancaster County’s unique economic landscape requires a more focused approach. Access to this kind of data empowers employers to make informed, strategic decisions aligned with their specific business needs and workforce realities. 

The LCWDB Executive Director, Anna Ramos, also highlighted the strategic services and funding opportunities available to local employers. She reinforced the Board’s commitment to support businesses in their efforts to build and sustain a high-quality workforce. 

The LCWDB is proud to support this impactful initiative and greatly values the continued collaboration with EDC Lancaster County and the Lancaster Chamber in bringing these sessions to the community. 

We look forward to continuing this work in 2026—helping Lancaster County employers stay informed, connected, and prepared for future growth. 

View the full presentation materials here.

Take a sneak peek at our Hub Spot on the community map!

For details on location schedules and available employment services, contact PA CareerLink® at 717-509-5613 or info@jobs4lancaster.com.

Career Ready Lancaster! Connections: Aligning Resources to Build Industry-Focused Connections 

Career Ready Lancaster! (CRL!) hosted another successful Impact Evening, building on the energy of last year’s event. This year’s gathering brought together new and returning attendees from across industries and community organizations, all focused on strengthening workforce collaboration. The event was graciously hosted by Clark Associates. 



The event centered on the theme "Aligning Resources to Build Industry-Focused Connections" and featured presentations from Workforce Board’s Executive Director, Anna Ramos, and CRL! Coordinator, Kimberley Patrick, as well as Monica Pasternak from Clark Associates. Monica shared remarks underscoring the company’s commitment to workforce development in an increasingly technology- and AI-driven landscape. 

Anna highlighted the workforce resources available to employers and previewed an upcoming asset map. This map—developed in partnership with the Lancaster Chamber, Lancaster County STEM Alliance, Community Action Partnership of Lancaster County, and EDC Lancaster County—aims to provide a comprehensive overview of workforce programs across the county. 

Kimberley introduced the U.S. Navy’s Talent Pipeline Program, a cutting-edge workforce model designed to meet growing manufacturing demands—particularly for those with department of defense contracts 

Among the many connections made during the evening was TJ Alexander, an Architecture major at Thaddeus Stevens College, who joined after seeing the event promoted online—illustrating how the next generation of talent is already engaging with Lancaster County’s workforce initiatives. 

CRL! looks forward to continuing this momentum at future Connections events, bringing together educators, employers, and partners to support a stronger, more connected workforce. 

Interested in helping out at Rep. Nikki Rivera and Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El's 14th Annual Back to School event this Sunday, August 10th? Let us know!

Success Story

Jonathan Brown - A Full Circle Journey

When Jonathan walked into PA CareerLink® Lancaster County (CareerLink) in late 2024, he was determined to find more than just a job—he wanted a career. As part of the Adult/Dislocated Worker program, he actively engaged in workshops like Career Connections, résumé writing, and mock interviews. With a strong background and a drive to succeed, you'd think it would come easy—but the journey took time, grit, and a whole lot of persistence. 

Jonathan showed up—literally and figuratively. He was a regular at CareerLink and attended every hiring event and job fair we hosted. It was at the Fall LNP Job Fair, sponsored in part by our CareerLink’s Business Services team, where he met his current employer. At that point, he was growing weary and took what our teammate Elena refers to as an “ABC job” — an A job (Any job, because you need to work now). But it didn’t stay an A for long. 

His work ethic quickly stood out. He was promoted into a B job (his next step forward), and now he’s well on his way to his C job — a long-term career with real growth potential. 

And here's the full-circle moment: in Spring 2025, Jonathan returned to that same LNP Job Fair—not as a jobseeker, but as an employer representative, recruiting new talent for the company he met just six months prior. 

Jonathan’s journey is a powerful reminder that with focus, resilience, and the right support, incredible things can happen. 

LCWDB OUT & ABOUT

• Top Employers: The top three employers currently hiring are Penn Medicine, Millersville University, and Penn State Health.
• Active Hiring Trends: In the retail sector, GIANT Company and CVS are among the most active in hiring Retail Salespersons. Other notable employers include Eurofins, Bob Evans Restaurant, Eurofins, and WellSpan Health.
• In-Demand Occupations: Retail Salesperson (with over 360 active postings) and First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers (with over 240 postings) remain the most in-demand occupations. Additionally, First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers, and Fast Food and Counter Workers, are in-demand positions with over 180 active postings each.
• Geographic Hotspots: Lancaster continues to lead in job postings, followed by Lititz and Ephrata. Additional high-activity areas include Elizabethtown, Manheim, and Millersville.
• Skills requirements: Employers are most frequently seeking hard skills such as proficiency in Microsoft Office, cash handling, and the physical ability to lift objects up to 50 lbs. On the soft skills side, communication, teamwork, adaptability, and problem-solving consistently rank as the top qualities jobseekers should develop to remain competitive in the job market.
• Overall Openings: There are currently more than 6,900 open positions available, spanning 483 occupations across 860 locations.