WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ADVOCACY

As of May 2025, the reauthorization of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)—also known as the A Stronger Workforce for America Act (ASWA)—is still pending in Congress. While the bill’s future remains uncertain, advocacy efforts are going strong. Workforce boards, employment service agencies, and other partners across the country are working hard to ensure lawmakers understand the real needs of jobseekers and the impact local workforce systems are making every day. 

Congressman Smucker's Visit

On Thursday, April 17th, we had the pleasure of welcoming Congressman Lloyd Smucker to our office for a meaningful conversation about the WIOA reauthorization. We discussed how critical this funding is—not just for workforce training, but for the wraparound employment and support services that meet individuals where they are. These services help people overcome barriers, access opportunities, and move toward financial independence—benefiting both their lives and our local economy. 

During the visit, we also shared our role in preparing the next generation for career success and highlighted the importance of continued investment in workforce development. The visit wrapped up with a tour of our Workforce Development Board office and PA CareerLink® Lancaster County, where Congressman Smucker saw our employment services and facilities in action—including Alice’s Kitchen, which provides essential food support for customers in need. 

Vital Records Event Breaks Barriers at PA CareerLink® Lancaster

PA CareerLink® Lancaster County recently hosted a groundbreaking event with Vital Records to provide on-site birth certificates—the first of its kind. A year in the making, this partnership with the PA Department of Vital Records and the Department of Labor & Industry aims to eliminate this barrier to family-sustaining employment. 

Fourteen individuals walked away with their birth certificates that day, gaining immediate access to the documents they needed to take their next steps forward. 

We were honored to welcome L&I Secretary Nancy A. Walker, State Rep. Nikki Rivera, and Dr. Debra Bogen from the PA Department of Health, along with representatives from the Workforce Development Board and several community partners, including Tenfold, the Lancaster Vet Center, the County Assistance Office, and Community Action Program – Domestic Violence Services. 

As Secretary Walker noted, “Having access to your birth certificate shouldn’t be what holds you back from starting a new job or applying for housing.” This event exemplifies what’s possible when partners come together to remove barriers and empower our local workforce. 

We’re proud of the impact and look forward to hosting more events like this in the future 

Annual Conferences: NAWB – PWDA – NAWDP 



This spring, our staff had the opportunity to attend several key state and national workforce development conferences. These gatherings help us stay up to date on workforce trends, connect with other professionals, and share ideas and best practices to strengthen workforce systems and local economies. 

KEEPING UP WITH LCWDB  

Samantha Sweigert

Programs Coordinator

E: ssweigert@lancastercountywib.com

LCWDB Welcomes New Staff and Board Members 

We are excited to announce that the LCWDB now has a full team in place with the addition of Samantha Sweigert as our new Programs Coordinator. Sam brings valuable experience from her previous roles at the School District of Lancaster and the Boys and Girls Club. Her strong connections with local schools and educators will help strengthen both our Youth and WIOA Adult programs. 



At our April Board Meeting, we also welcomed two new Board members representing the business community: Oleg Levin, Owner & CEO of SERVPRO, and Ed McCauley, Vice President of Corporate Services at Wohlsen Construction. Their diverse industry expertise will be a valuable asset as we continue to strengthen the connection between local businesses and workforce development efforts in Lancaster County. 

Educator Industry Tours Scheduled for June

LCWDB is coordinating its annual series of industry tours for Lancaster County educators, taking place on Monday, June 16th; Tuesday, June 17th; and Wednesday, June 18th. These tours will focus on three high-priority industries: tourism, retail and hospitality, manufacturing, and healthcare.  

These tours give educators firsthand exposure to key sectors, providing valuable insights they can bring back to the classroom. By connecting education with real-world industry needs, the tours aim to strengthen workforce readiness for the students of Lancaster County. 

CRL! April Connections Meeting Recap

The final Connections meeting of Program Year 2025 closed on a high note, filled with inspiring success stories and promising opportunities for future workforce development partnerships between businesses and education providers. These collaborations are key to preparing the next generation of skilled workers in Lancaster County. Dr. Susan Wienand, Cooperative Education Coordinator at the Lancaster County CTC, presented compelling enrollment data that highlighted the urgent need for expanded technical education options across the county. As demand grows for career and technical training, capacity limitations in high-demand programs are leaving many students without access to the education they need. Meeting this challenge will require strong investment from local employers and community partners—something we’ve already seen in action. 

Connections meetings continue to serve as a valuable forum for employers and community partners to come together, share insights, and exchange best practices around recruitment, retention, and workforce engagement. They create space for mutual learning and collective action—empowering both job seekers and employers. One standout example came from Vertex Mechanical, Inc., which shared how a partnership with Cocalico High School’s Career Internship program has helped grow its workforce. Although initially unsure of what the company could offer students, CEO Josh VanderPlate took a leap and welcomed their first intern. That intern, supported through trade school by the company, is now a team leader at Vertex. This story shows the powerful impact of work-based learning and the value of long-term investment in local talent. 

High5 Cards - Where Have All the Soft Skills Gone? 

In today’s fast-paced workforce, soft skills—or power skills—are more essential than ever, yet often overlooked. Recognizing this need, a group of employers, educators, and parents created High5: a set of 50 real-world workplace scenarios designed to spark conversation and build soft skills in both classrooms and the workplace 

These cards, contributed by local companies, help bridge the gap between academic learning and on-the-job expectations. 

Want to get involved? 

To explore the cards or sponsor a deck for a local school, please fill in this form. Let’s keep the conversation going. 

Reentry Event – Meet the Authors of “The Cheat Code”



Reentry experts and advocates Armand King and Jonas Royster stopped by PA CareerLink® to share their lived experiences with a group of about 30 community members—and it was a huge success. 

We provided dinner and created a welcoming space where attendees felt comfortable sharing their own stories while receiving valuable advice and resources. 

We’re proud of the positive outcomes and excited to bring more barrier-breaking events to our community in the future. 

JOBSEEKER RESOURCES & SUPPORT SERVICES

LCWDB OUT & ABOUT

• Top Employers: Leading employers over the past three months include Penn Medicine, Penn State Health, GlaxoSmithKline, and Millersville University.
• Active Hiring Trends: The top three employers currently hiring are Penn Medicine, Millersville University, and Penn State Health. In the retail sector, Weis Markets, Turkey Hill, and CVS are among the most active in hiring Retail Salespersons. Other notable employers include Eurofins and Bob Evans Restaurant.
• In-Demand Occupations: Retail Salesperson (with over 400 active postings) and First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers (with over 200 postings) remain the most in-demand occupations.
• Geographic Hotspots: Lancaster continues to lead in job postings, followed by Lititz and Ephrata. Additional high-activity areas include Elizabethtown, New Holland, and Manheim.
• Overall Openings: There are currently more than 7,500 open positions available, spanning 496 occupations across 958 unique locations.