Policy & Advocacy Priorities

Policy & Advocacy Priorities

The Pennsylvania Workforce Development Association is dedicated to advancing the workforce development system across the Commonwealth. We support priorities that will help make Pennsylvania’s workforce the strongest in the nation.

At PWDA, we aim to facilitate collaboration and coordination among all stakeholders involved in Pennsylvania’s workforce development system. Recognizing the critical importance of effective coordination, we advocate for enhanced alignment among commonwealth agencies, the State Workforce Development Board, Local Workforce Boards and other community organizations. By fostering stronger connections and communication channels, we can empower employers, educators, and workers while strengthening the Commonwealth’s workforce and ensuring long-term economic resilience. 

We invite you to learn more and join us in our mission to drive meaningful progress to make Pennsylvania’s workforce system stronger and more accessible for workers, job seekers, and businesses.

Coordination

Employment and training programs cross multiple federal and state agencies while serving common customers. Enhancing coordination within Pennsylvania’s workforce system is essential for a responsive and efficient approach to workforce development. We work with stakeholders to align efforts across state agencies, the State Workforce Development Board, and local Workforce Development Boards (LWDBs) to support employers, educators, and workers and build long-term economic resilience.

  • Prioritizing Local Expertise: Leveraging LWDBs’ insight to tailor initiatives to each region’s unique needs, fostering a more responsive approach to workforce development.
  • Coordinated Strategy: We work with LWDBs and others to encourage coordination between state agencies and amongst programs to drive strategy and achieve impact and success for Pennsylvania employers, workers, and jobseekers.
  • Voice for Members, Clarity for All: We understand that state and federal government is complex, with many agencies touching the Workforce Development system. We are the voice of our members as they navigate state and federal government and serve as a resource for policymakers, administrators and stakeholders.

Youth Investment

Investing in Pennsylvania’s young workforce is imperative for cultivating a resilient workforce capable of meeting future challenges. By supporting targeted programming for youth, we equip young individuals with the skills needed to excel in an evolving job market.

  • Dedicated Youth Programs: We support state investment in youth workforce programming, ensuring opportunities are accessible to all, including both in-school and opportunity youth across Pennsylvania.
  • Tailored Expertise and Services for Youth: Pennsylvania’s LWDBs have long-standing expertise engaging with youth and youth-based organizations to promote career readiness, work experiences, and workforce activities that keep youth living and employed in the Commonwealth.

Bridging Education to Workforce

Strengthening the connection between education and workforce pathways is essential for a resilient, skilled workforce. PWDA supports efforts to make career paths clear and accessible, uplifting “earn and learn” models that provide practical, hands-on experiences for job seekers.

  • Streamlining Apprenticeships: We advocate for removing barriers to a prolonged registration process of pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs in Pennsylvania.
  • Clear Career Pathways: Initiatives to map out industry-recognized credentials and career paths empower Pennsylvanians to make informed career choices, enhancing the education-workforce connection.

Employer Engagement & Sector Strategies

Fostering employer engagement is crucial for a thriving, responsive workforce in Pennsylvania. PWDA encourages strong partnerships between employers and the workforce ecosystem to align training with market demands, ensuring businesses have access to an adaptable workforce.

  • Leveraging Pennsylvania’s Workforce System: We support maximizing employer engagement through PA CareerLink® and the local workforce development system.
  • Regional Innovation: Providing flexibility and support to LWDBs allows them to conduct effective employer engagement and business service strategies tailored to their regions.
  • Stronger Workforce, Stronger Economy: We encourage alignment between economic development priorities and workforce development. We support policy, investment and programs that intentionally align workforce and economic development activities to foster a stronger workforce and a stronger economy.

Data Access & Transparency

Access to comprehensive data is vital for local program improvement and effectiveness. By empowering workforce boards with data, we can enhance workforce services and better prepare Pennsylvania’s workforce for available opportunities.

  • #FreeTheData: We support local workforce boards’ access to data, enabling ongoing program improvement that benefits employers and job seekers.
  • Legislative Support: We advocate for the passing of SB 101 (Sponsored by Sen. Bartolotta) to improve data access across the workforce system.
  • Focused on Performance & Impact: We support local ability to receive and utilize data, information, and performance metrics to tailor investments and service design. Pennsylvania’s workforce development system services must be customer-centered and successfully impact the ability for employers to recruit and retain workers, for jobseekers to obtain quality careers, and to align education & training appropriately.

Want more information? Email info@pawork.org