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The Lebanon Valley Chamber of Commerce has released the results of a year-long study to determine the future occupational training needs for regional employers and Lebanon County’s ability to provide the right training. The study, Advanced Training Center Needs Assessment, was conducted by Hanover Research from January 2023 through January 2024 and was funded through a grant provided by the Lebanon County Commissioners using ARPA funds.
The Advanced Training Center (ATC) Needs Assessment was divided into three phases. Phase 1 collected demographic, educational attainment, and labor market data on Lebanon County and surrounding regions as well as information on adult education programs currently available in the region. Hanover determined there is a significant target population for the ATC. That population is underserved by the current skills training opportunities in the county. Certification and training programs for the top occupations in Lebanon County are severely lacking, indicating the demand for an ATC exists.
Phase 2 included qualitative interviews with Lebanon County employers sourced by LVCC from a mix of companies in target industries (e.g., Manufacturing, Healthcare & Social Services, Distribution & Supply Chain, and Education). Phase 2 identified the themes in hiring challenges experienced by employers and confirmed their strong appetite for a local training center and the curricula it should offer.
Phase 3 analyzed the curricula and programs at other training centers in Pennsylvania and conducted interviews with leaders at LCCTC (Lebanon County Career and Technology Center) and HACC (Harrisburg Area Community College). Phase 3 identified how these other training centers develop their programs, partner with local business and educational institutions to fulfill their mission, and different ways they fund their programs. This study confirmed that partnerships with local businesses are a critical part of delivering vocations curricula and increasing students’ readiness to participate in the workforce.
The final report included an executive summary indicating the following recommendations:
- Establish an Advanced Training Center in Lebanon County;
- Tailor ATC programs to in-demand skills;
- Maintain consistent communication with the education and business communities;
- Determine next steps for program development and funding.
“Analyzing this information was critical to meeting the future needs of our regional employers. An ATC in the county has the potential to fill gaps in skills training, increase wages to a presently under-skilled labor force, boost the local economy, and benefit regional employers,” states Karen Groh, President and CEO of the Lebanon Valley Chamber.
The Lebanon Valley Chamber received two grants totaling $79,000. The cost of the study was $75,000. Hanover Research was contracted after submitting its response to an RFP sent in September of 2022.
The data in the report will be shared with many regional agencies to help determine the next steps needed.
Diane Harlow, Lebanon Valley Chamber’s Director of Workforce & Education, concludes, “Through this year-long study, we've gained invaluable insights into the pressing needs of our regional employers and Lebanon County's capacity to meet those needs through advanced training. We encourage stakeholders to collaborate utilizing collective impact strategies to elevate our workforce, bolster the local economy, and meet the evolving needs of our region's employers.”
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