Greater Reading Chamber Commerce Quarterly Fall 2017 - 20

workforce development

Employees Needed
- Develop Within

Apprenticeships, Internships
and Growing your own
Tracy Hoffmann, Hoffmann Publishing Group, Inc

s much as it sounds like we're beating
the proverbial dead horse, workforce
development is still the number one
concern among area employers. With the
unemployment rate at or near historical
lows, and a robust economy with room for
more productivity, employers are struggling
to meet their increased workforce needs. For
most, however, it's not just about finding
and hiring bodies, it's about finding qualified
prospects who can contribute intelligently.

There are several workforce development
initiatives and opportunities currently available
in Berks County. One is the Berks County
Workforce Development Board (WDB). In 1999,
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania implemented
their one-stop workforce development system
under the brand name Pennsylvania CareerLink.
CareerLink's goal is to provide high-value, lowcost employment and training services and
information to businesses and job seekers of
Berks County. The WDB includes 34 community
business leaders serving in C-level and Human
Resource roles representing some of the largest
employers, labor suppliers and social service
partners engaged in identifying workforce needs
and employment bases.

That's why many companies and
organizations have focused on job and
skills training through apprenticeship and
internship programs. Whether utilizing
registered government programs, career
technology schools and programs, college
While you can begin your search with the
programs, trades programs, quasi-institutional programs, or in- WDB, there are many additional options. Aside from an abundance
house programs, most companies utilizing structured training of able-bodied students, our local colleges and career and
programs are finding greater successes in identifying stronger technology schools offer training programs, certification programs,
prospects who fit within their company culture more immediately, internships and pathways counseling. Area school districts and the
leading to better outcomes for longer-term, career-minded Berks Business Education Coalition are becoming more engaged
employees.
in leading students to smarter career choices. And, the Greater
Reading
Chamber Alliance continues to bridge the communications
In FY 2016, the U.S. government reported that there were
and
workforce
training gap by providing workforce development
more than 500,000 individuals nationwide participating in
programs,
leading
initiatives to develop public/private partnerships,
apprenticeship programs, with more than 200,000 entering the
and
fostering
greater
awareness for career and training opportunities
system. Additionally, there were more than 21,000 registered
through
local,
state
and national channels. Looking for ideas to
apprenticeship programs nationwide, and more than 1,700 new
fill
your
employment
needs or find ways to provide better career
programs just registered within 2016. As an industrialized state
awareness
for
your
populations?
Read on.
with larger urban populations, PA was and is among the leaders in
the use of workforce development programs.

20 COMMERCE QUARTERLY FALL 2017

Filling growth opportunities in construction trades has been
a big concern. Some estimates predict huge workforce shortages

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Greater Reading Chamber Commerce Quarterly Fall 2017