WORKFORCE ADVOCACY

Governor Shapiro's 2026–27 Budget: A Promising Picture for Workforce Development

Governor Shapiro's proposed 2026–27 budget signals meaningful investment in Pennsylvania's workforce, and there is much to be encouraged by. Here's what's in the proposal: 

Workforce Development 

• Industry Partnerships – $3.5M increase, more than doubling total funding to $6.3M 
• Schools to Work – $3.5M increase, doubling total funding to $7M 
• WEDnetPA – $12.5M proposed to support employer-driven training and upskilling 
• Career Connect – $2M to launch a new statewide internship program with Pennsylvania employers 
• Vocational Rehabilitation – $1M increase to expand services for deaf and blind individuals 
• Minimum Wage – Proposed increase to $15/hour beginning January 1, 2027 

Education & Training 

• Career and Technical Education – $14M increase 
• Adult & Family Literacy – $2.9M increase to expand access and quality for adult learners 
• CTE Reforms – Proposed integration of academic coursework into CTE programs and earlier access to NOCTI competency exams 

Economic Development 

• PA First – $10M increase, bringing the total to $38M to support job creation, retention, and workforce training 
• Innovate in PA 2.0 – $100M to strengthen talent pipelines in life sciences, technology, and innovation, particularly in rural and emerging regions 

Notable Decrease 

• Apprenticeship Training – Proposed $2.5M decrease, dropping total funding from $12.5M to $10M 

This reduction stands out in an otherwise growth-oriented budget. Apprenticeships are one of the most proven pathways to family-sustaining wages and long-term career success, and any cut to that investment runs counter to the workforce goals this budget otherwise champions. 

Our Position 

As the Lancaster County Workforce Development Board, we believe a strong workforce system requires sustained investment across every pathway – apprenticeships, adult literacy, CTE, and cross-industry partnerships alike. We will continue to advocate for funding that reflects the real needs of job seekers, employers, and communities across Lancaster County and the Commonwealth. 

We encourage our partners, employers, and stakeholders to stay engaged as this budget moves through the legislative process. Your voice matters – and so does this work. 

Read the Executive Budget here

SNAP Work and Reporting Requirements

Communications & Outreach Toolkit 

Are Your Clients Meeting SNAP Work and Reporting Requirements? 

The new SNAP work and reporting requirements have been in effect in Pennsylvania since November 2025, but many recipients may still be unaware of what's required – or that they may be at risk of losing benefits. 

SNAP recipients ages 18–64 without a dependent child under 14 and who are able to work must report at least 20 hours per week of work, education, training, or volunteering to DHS. Those who don't meet this requirement are limited to just three months of SNAP benefits within a three-year period. 

Many of your clients may qualify for an exemption – including those who are pregnant, experiencing homelessness, fleeing domestic violence, caring for a disabled family member, or participating in a treatment program. For clients who do need to meet the requirement, Pennsylvania offers programs like SNAP EARN (PA CareerLink®), SNAP JETS, and SNAP KEYS to help them get there. 

Pennsylvania DHS has a free toolkit with ready-to-use outreach materials, social graphics, flyers, and screening tools to help you educate the people you serve. 

 Access the SNAP Toolkit and share it with your clients here 

KEEPING UP WITH LANCASTER WORKFORCE BOARD

Connecting People to Opportunity: LCWDB's 2025 Strategic Impact

The LCWDB is driven by four strategic pillars — and in 2025, each one translated into real, measurable outcomes for Lancaster's jobseekers and businesses. PA CareerLink® Lancaster County (PACL) is the WDB's on-the-ground delivery partner, connecting individuals and employers to the resources they need to succeed. 

STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP FOR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

The Board advanced its role as a regional convener, engaging 27+ organizations and 39+ community members through the Workforce 2030 Plan and delivering 14+ presentations and podcasts to educate partners and the public on Lancaster County's evolving workforce landscape. 

IMPACT AND INTENTIONAL DELIVERABLES

Through PA CareerLink®, the WDB enabled 422 people to upskill via apprenticeships, on-the-job training, and individual training accounts, placing 75 adults and 41 youth into employment. PACL also hosted 16 job fairs and 83 recruiting events, and engaged 352 businesses across the county — ensuring employers could find the skilled workers they need. 

ACCESSIBILITY AND BARRIERS 

The Board worked to ensure no one was left out. PACL welcomed 1,300+ walk-in visitors and through its Hub program at seven community locations received 363 engagements. Language services in 8 languages removed communication barriers for non-English-speaking jobseekers, $34,400 in supportive services addressed the practical obstacles — housing, transportation, childcare — that stand between a person and a job, and 17+ justice impacted individuals re-entering the workforce secured permanent employment through the re-entry initiative. 



OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE

Behind every outcome is a committed team. The LCWDB's eight staff members logged 130+ volunteer hours, served on six external boards, and secured $543,000 in grants to sustain the work — including a $400,000 apprenticeship investment — alongside $13,250 raised through community fundraising. 

2025 was a year of growth and strategic focus — the Workforce Development Board clarified its organizational direction, strengthened its leadership approach, and deepened its commitment to narrating impact for stakeholders and partners. Looking ahead, the LCWDB is focused on leading the Workforce 2030 Plan, driving collaboration to attract and retain talent, securing increased funding through grants and fundraising, and integrating services more deeply into the community to expand equitable access for all Lancaster County residents.

Leading with Purpose: Anna Ramos at WIB Latte & Leadership 

On Tuesday, February 24, LCWDB Executive Director Anna Ramos joined the Lancaster Chamber's WIB: Latte & Leadership event to share her journey leading the organization through some of its most challenging and transformative moments. 

Anna captivated the room with a powerful analogy – shifting from a rider on the bus to its driver – illustrating what it truly means to practice reflective leadership. She spoke candidly about the resilience required to navigate difficult periods, the importance of staying focused on the end goal, and how that determination not only brought the Workforce Development Board back to the forefront but expanded its presence throughout the Lancaster County community.

Her stories left the audience with meaningful questions to sit with – about themselves, their leadership, and the organizations they serve. It was an energizing morning, and we hope everyone walked away with something valuable to carry forward. 



We are grateful to the Lancaster Chamber for giving Anna the platform to share her experience and inspire the current and future female leaders shaping the business community here in Lancaster County. 

PWDA 2026 Next Generation Youth Summit

Lancaster County took center stage — and we couldn't be prouder. The Pennsylvania Workforce Development Association's 2026 Next Generation Youth Summit came to The Ware Center of the Arts, and Lancaster wasn't just hosting — we were leading. 

Anna Ramos facilitated a workforce asset mapping activity, sharing insights from the development of our own asset map that helped advance the Workforce 2030 Plan. Samantha Sweigert, Programs Coordinator, led the closing panel — guiding conversations about youth career navigation and exploration with young adults previously participated in PA CareerLink®'s Paid Work Experience program. It was inspiring to hear them share how their experience brought not only employment, but real personal growth — from building workplace skills to finding trusted guidance in their career navigators. 

It was a powerful reminder that when youth services providers genuinely understand and invest in young people, they open doors to opportunity and self-discovery that can shape an entire career trajectory. 



Throughout the day, LCWDB and PA CareerLink® staff participated in workshops focused on successful youth programming and youth-centered approaches — and it was a wonderful opportunity to connect with providers and advocates from across the Commonwealth. 

Notable Events Coming Up 

WDB Directors Meeting | March 10-11

Lancaster is building momentum, and our peers are taking notice. This month, we will host workforce development directors from all 22 workforce development boards across Pennsylvania, along with L&I Secretary Nancy Walker. It's a meaningful opportunity to showcase the work happening here in Lancaster County on a statewide stage. 

NAWB The Forum 2026 | March 23–26 LCWDB leadership will head to the National Association of Workforce Boards' premier annual event, The Forum 2026, from March 23–26. Alongside national workforce leaders, employers, educators, and partners, we'll share our impact stories, highlight successful local initiatives, and gain actionable insights into the future of work, policy, and funding. 

CRL! Connections — January Meeting Recap 

Career Ready Lancaster! kicked off the new year with an energizing Connections Meeting, bringing together educators, employers, and community partners to celebrate the power of industry partnerships in action. Three Lancaster County leaders took the floor to share how collaboration — not competition — is reshaping workforce development across the region.

Tom Greenfield of Premier Custom Built is strengthening the next generation of cabinet makers by uniting industry partners with education at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, keeping pace with an increasingly automated field in Lancaster County's longstanding cabinet-making capital. John Haughery and John Bridgen shared about Robotic WorX, a nationally recognized pre-apprenticeship program between Millersville University and Precision Cobotics that immerses students in real engineering challenges alongside industry mentors. And Alicia Hoke brought together industry, workforce, and education partners to address the allied health worker shortage — launching a summer camp that delivers industry-recognized credentials and is already placing graduates directly into critical local roles. 

A common thread ran through every story: none of them had all the answers at the start, but each chose conversation and partnership over the status quo — and results followed. The meeting closed with a round-robin led by Anna Ramos, where attendees summed up their experience in one word. Inspiring. Collaboration. Sustainability. Partnership. That says it all. 



We appreciate Tandem Living for hosting at the Woodcrest Villa Welcome Centre, and to all our presenters for their vision and openness. For more information, reach out to kpatrick@lancastercountywib.com. 

Summer Earn & Learn Program

Summer employment programs are critical pipelines for engaging youth and setting them on a path toward career longevity or further education. The Earn & Learn program offers job readiness training, career exploration, and employment opportunities for Lancaster County youth — exposing them to local industries and businesses that can grow them into full-time employees. 

PA CareerLink® Lancaster County matches youth with employers based on skills, interests, geographic proximity, and transportation availability. Staff work directly with both youth and employers throughout the summer to ensure strong communication, smooth placements, and quick resolution of any challenges that arise. 

For employers, the benefits are straightforward: pre-screened, trained youth matched to your business needs; a dedicated job site advisor for support; and a chance to introduce local talent to real career pathways while giving back to the community. 

Interested? Fill out this form to get started! 

LCWDB OUT & ABOUT

Being a part of our workforce community AND the local community helps us lead the conversation in workforce for Lancaster County!

Over the past few months our staff:

• Attended Southern Lancaster Chamber Member Meeting
• Attended Northern Lancaster Chamber Annual Address
• Presented and attended the Lancaster SHRM January Chapter Breakfast Meeting
• Attended Professional Women's Forum by Northern Lancaster Chamber
• Attended YWCA 2026 Annual Meeting & Open House
• Attended the Lancaster Chamber's 2026 Legislative Issues Forum
• Attended the Manufacturers' Association January Wake Up to Manufacturing
• Attended Lancaster Chamber Coffee & Connections 

• And so much more!