Washington, DC:  Recently, the National Governor's Association published a report entitled, "A Sharper Focus On Technical Workers How to Educate and Train for the Global Economy" which addressed the need to look closer at the nation's need for technical workers in manufacturing and in health care.  To download a copy of the report, click here.

America’s economy depends on workers who are knowledgeable and agile and who know how to troubleshoot and problem solve in real time in real-world situations, whether in factories, in hospitals, in labs, or in any other workplace setting. This is especially true now because American workers and entire industry sectors are struggling to compete on a global playing field.

Manufacturing is a good example. America still needs millions of manufacturing workers. Despite considerable declines in recent years, more than 10 million Americans still work at manufacturing jobs. One recent study found that 32 percent of manufacturing companies surveyed report moderate to serious shortages in the availability of manufacturing workers and expect the situation to worsen in the next few years. And, as the recent economic trouble with the automobile industry has reminded us, manufacturing—with its well-paying jobs and its extensive supplier chains—has a huge impact on the rest of the economy.

Oakland:  Last week, the National Network of Sector Partners released a study which summarized the results of interviews with over 50 companies around the country including Tyson Foods, Inc. from Lancaster County.  The report demonstrated company satisfaction in their investment in training with low wage workers.  For a downloadable copy of the the study summary, click here.

American companies tend to view their low-skill, low-wage workers as a disposable resource - necessary but transient, plentiful enough to hire and lose and hire again as needed. Like many forms of waste, this approach to human capital has the advantage of simplicity, but it's loaded with hidden costs. Chief among these is the constant expense of recruiting and training new employees. But there are other costs, too, like the stunting of employees' loyalty, ambition, and attention to quality. A culture of transiency, where paychecks don't pay the bills and opportunities for advancement are few or nil, is one sure way to wipe out any incentive to perform above average, to push for excellence, to get the details right.

New York:  Over the past two decades, an innovative approach to workforce development known as sectoral employment has emerged, resulting in the creation of industry-specific training programs that prepare unemployed and underskilled workers for skilled positions and connect them with employers seeking to fill such vacancies.

Based on earlier outcomes studies pointing to the promise of this strategy, Public/Private Ventures (P/PV) set out to conduct a random assignment evaluation to assess whether sector-focused programs could in fact increase the earnings of low-income, disadvantaged workers and job seekers.  The results were as follows...

1. Participants in sector-focused programs earned significantly more than control group members, with most of the earnings gains occurring in the second year.
2. Participants in sector-focused programs were significantly more likely to work and, in the second year, worked more consistently than control group members.
3. Program participants were significantly more likely to work in jobs with higher wages.
4. Program participants were significantly more likely to work in jobs that offered benefits.
5. For each subgroup analyzed, program participants had significant earnings gains as compared to their counterpart controls.

For a downloadable copy of the report, click here.

Health Careers Expo,
McCaskey East High School

November 5, 2010 10:00am- 4:00pm

Be a part of this year's Health Careers Expo!  Attend demonstrations and speak with professionals within the health care industry.  The Expo is designed for visitors to witness experiences from the industry.  Come see a dissection or walk through an EMT vehicle or experience a trauma unit.  This informative event is sure to arm you with the resources you need to launch your career!  Student hours for high schoolers in the morning and community sessions in the afternoon.  Sponsorships and demonstration opportunities available.

To exhibit or attend email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 717 735-0333 for more information.

Lancaster: In late June, the Youth Council of the Lancaster County Workforce Investment Board sponsored tours of local businesses over several days for teachers, counselors, and school administrators from the 16 school districts in Lancaster County.  Businesses participating included Herley Industries, Willow Valley Retirement Community, Immunomic Therapies, Southeast Lancaster Health Services, White Wolf Security, Illuminex, Cargas, Alcoa Mill Products, and the Susquehanna Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

This year’s theme was Careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). This program provides a clear understanding of today’s workplace, the operation and employment needs of local businesses, the wide range of career choices, and available education and training opportunitites for school personnel. Participants observe and experience the skills required for workplace success and to learn how to incorporate work-based learning into lessons for students.