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Leading Workforce Policy in Pennsylvania

PWDA serves as the collective voice of Pennsylvania’s workforce system, bringing the experience of local workforce leaders, employers, educators, and community partners into state and federal policy conversations.

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What We Do

PWDA advances workforce policy by:

  • Advocating for workforce priorities with state and federal policymakers
  • Translating policy changes into practical guidance for local workforce leaders
  • Elevating system-wide perspectives to inform decision-making
  • Convening partners around shared workforce priorities
  • Connecting workforce policy with education, economic development, human services, and employer needs
  • Creating opportunities for members and partners to engage directly in advocacy

Our Current Policy Priorities

PWDA’s advocacy reflects the issues most affecting Pennsylvania’s workforce system,
employers, and communities.

We support stronger coordination across workforce, education, economic development, human services, and other public systems so Pennsylvanians can access services and career opportunities more easily.
We advocate for investments that help young people access career exploration, training, work-based learning, credentials, and meaningful pathways into employment.
PWDA supports better access to workforce, education, and labor market data so leaders can make informed decisions and communities can better understand what is working.
We advance apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship, internships, work-based learning, and other earn-and-learn opportunities that connect people to careers while meeting employer demand.
We support clearer career pathways, credential transparency, and stronger alignment between education, training, and employment.
PWDA advocates for policies, funding, and accountability systems that reflect the realities of local workforce development and help communities respond to changing economic needs.

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Federal Policy

PWDA works with federal policymakers and national partners to protect and strengthen investment in workforce development. Our federal advocacy focuses on issues including Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act implementation and reauthorization, workforce funding, data access, employer engagement, youth services, workforce Pell, apprenticeship, and policies that support local flexibility and innovation.

 

PWDA also helps members understand federal changes and translate them into local practice.

Explore Federal Policy Resources
State Policy

At the state level, PWDA works with elected leaders, agencies, and partners to strengthen Pennsylvania’s workforce system. We advocate for policies that improve cross-agency coordination, expand access to career pathways, support employers, strengthen local workforce boards, improve data access, and create better outcomes for job seekers and communities.

Explore State Policy Resources

Why It Matters

Workforce policy decisions directly affect employers, job seekers, communities, and the organizations working to connect people with opportunity. PWDA ensures those decisions are informed by people who understand the work on the ground. Our role is to bring practical insight, shared priorities, and a statewide perspective into the conversations shaping Pennsylvania’s workforce future.

From Federal policy to LoCal Impact

PWDA works across all levels of the system- ensuring that federal legislation like WIOA and state investments translate into real outcomes for employers, job seekers, and communities across Pennsylvania.

Explore Our Impact