CRL! SPECIAL CONNECTIONS EVENT WITH GENERATIONAL EXPERT MARK C. PERNA

Career Ready Lancaster! is excited to host Mark C. Perna, a nationally recognized author, speaker, and generational expert, for a powerful keynote: 

Unleashing Passion, Purpose, and Performance in Younger Generations 

📅 November 13, 2025 | 3:00–4:30 p.m. 

📍 Armstrong World Industries, Lancaster 

Mark’s award-winning work focuses on helping communities, educators, and employers connect more meaningfully with younger generations. His presentation will dive into practical strategies for motivating and retaining talent, bridging the skills gap, and empowering youth to pursue their pathways with confidence. 

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from a leading voice in workforce and education — register today to save your spot! 

REGISTER HERE 

KEEPING UP WITH LCWDB  

Workforce 2030 Plan and Asset Map 

On September 17th, LCWDB staff joined businesses, educators, and community partners at the annual Workforce 2030 Summit, hosted by the Lancaster STEM Alliance (LCSA) at the Lancaster-Lebanon IU13. Executive Director, Anna Ramos, presented alongside Heather Valudes, President/CEO of Lancaster Chamber, and Dr. Lauren Miller, Executive Director of LCSA, to unveil Workforce 2030, a countywide workforce plan, along with the Lancaster County Workforce Landscape Asset Map. 

With the increasing need for employers to focus on upskilling their existing employees while also attracting new talent to address workforce challenges, the Workforce Development Board, along with the Lancaster Chamber, Lancaster STEM Alliance, Community Action Partnership, and EDC Lancaster, collaborated on a plan to assess the impact local organizations have on building the skilled workforce businesses need. EDC Lancaster County drafted a survey that was sent to community organizations and businesses to complete, highlighting programming aimed at enhancing Lancaster County’s workforce. Over thirty organizations provided data that EDC analyzed and organized into categories, or hexagons, based on the type of programming and credentials obtained. From this baseline discovery, the Leadership Team of this project was able to identify strengths, gaps, and opportunities in services and will continue refining the hexagons while gathering further community input.

Understanding our business needs and assessing our workforce to build economic mobility for businesses and individuals has been the focus of all our organizations, but how we achieve this as a collective community is where Workforce 2030 comes in. Building a work-ready community is a shared effort, not the plan of a single organization. By 2030, we aim to establish the foundation for Lancaster County to achieve a thriving, work-ready future through a plan that sets direction, priorities, measurable goals, and a Shared Vision where:



• Every resident can access opportunity 
• Every employer can find the talent they need 
• Every organization works together to grow the economy 

Our Core Goals

• Explore Careers – Students and job seekers will have clear opportunities to discover industries, understand pathways, and connect their interests to real-world careers  
• Build Skills – Workers will earn employer-recognized credentials, degrees, or certificates of value and gain the essential skills needed to succeed. 
• Connect to Jobs – Employers will see strong alignment between local training programs and workforce needs, ensuring residents are prepared for today’s and tomorrow’s jobs. 
• Access & Adapt – Barriers such as childcare, transportation, and language access will be addressed, while the workforce adapts to demographic and technological change. 
• Community Alignment – Organizations across sectors will commit to building and sustaining a work-ready Lancaster County. 

NEXT STEP

We will host a series of community meetings, facilitated by Allium Development Group, to gather ideas, identify strategies, and shape activities under each goal. This input will help guide the plan, while the final framework will reflect a collective synthesis.

Connect to Jobs + Access & Adapt

• November 3rd | 10 AM – 12 PM
• Lancaster Workforce Board – 1046 Manheim Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601
• Register here

Build Skills

• November 5th | 1 PM – 3 PM
• Lancaster Chamber – 115 E. King St., Lancaster, PA 17602
• Register here

Explore Careers

• November 7th | 10 AM – 12 PM
• Lancaster Lebanon IU13 – 1020 New Holland Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601
• Register here

Move from vision → actionable plan → functional workforce ecosystem for Lancaster County!

LCWDB In the Community

The Workforce 2030 Summit was not only a time for presentations but also for deep conversation. Our staff joined workforce discussions as subject-matter experts and active participants, exploring topics such as career readiness, industry-led partnerships, barrier removal, and support for underserved communities. We were glad to have PA CareerLink® Lancaster County (PACL) staff alongside us, reinforcing our shared commitment to Lancaster residents. 

Earlier this fall, our team also stepped out of the office for a day of team building and community appreciation. Through visiting key hospitality industry partners such as Kitchen Kettle Village and Millers Smorgasbord, as well as the new Thaddeus Stevens & Lydia Hamilton Smith Center for History and Democracy, our staff were able to dive into the history of Lancaster County.

LCWDB Board Mixer

To close out August, we welcomed Board members to our office for an evening mixer with LCWDB and PACL staff. This informal gathering provided time to connect, share perspectives, and strengthen relationships around our shared mission of workforce development. A highlight of the night was the CareerLink® Scavenger Hunt, where Board members explored programs and initiatives that help Lancaster residents on their career journeys. We are grateful to our Board members for contributing their expertise from diverse industries — it is through their leadership and partnership that we continue building a stronger workforce for Lancaster County.

PA CareerLink® Awareness Day 

September is recognized nationally as Workforce Development Month, and here in Pennsylvania, we celebrated PA CareerLink® Awareness Day. On Thursday, September 18th, PA CareerLink Lancaster County welcomed over 90 job seekers and more than 20 local employers and community organizations. Attendees participated in on-site interviews, accessed free professional clothing, and received a complimentary meal for completing a survey.

It was inspiring to see people arrive with curiosity and leave with something meaningful—whether a new connection, career insight, or tangible support.

Read more

Bringing Services into the Community

The LCWDB 2025 Youth Conference will take place November 13 at Millersville University.. The event is expected to welcome hundreds of 10th–12th grade students.

We’re seeking sponsors and volunteers to make this impactful day possible. If your organization would like to support the conference, reach out to Samantha Sweigert at ssweigert@lancastercountywib.com.

Parents, teachers, and counselors—please share this with your students so they don’t miss out!

Click here for more information

LCWDB OUT & ABOUT