Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation forms work groups to implement recommendations of regional talent study

The Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC) Education and Talent Supply Council recently established work groups to execute on the recommendations and strategies outlined in a year-long regional talent market study.

LVEDC and the Workforce Board Lehigh Valley (WBLV) commissioned MDB Insight to conduct the study, which resulted in 36 strategic recommendations to guide strategies to improve the Lehigh Valley talent market, establish new approaches to developing workplace skills and prepare students and adults to compete and succeed in high-demand careers.

For the last several months, the LVEDC Education and Talent Supply Council has been reviewing and discussing the information presented in the study.

“The council has prioritized the study’s recommendations and established smaller goal-focused work groups that will concentrate on specific types of strategies and recommendations and advance ideas for execution,” LVEDC Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and Research Karianne Gelinas said.

The five work groups are employability skills; career pathways; internships, co-ops, apprenticeships, and mentorships; attracting, recruiting, and retaining the next generation of talent; and LVEDC-led talent and research initiatives.

The work groups will set priorities and timelines to meet goals and report progress and accomplishments to the council. The work groups have the authority to advance ideas, while the council functions as a steering committee for them.

The groups consist of members of the LVEDC Education and Talent Supply Council, which is a partnership of Lehigh Valley educational institutions, major employers, economic development groups and workforce agencies.

“All regions across the country are grappling with the challenge of growing and recruiting talent,” LVEDC President and CEO Don Cunningham said. “But bringing these professionals and experts to the table and taking a deep dive to look for a solution puts us ahead of a lot [of] other markets who are experiencing the same challenge.”

Gelinas noted that the council is still seeking Lehigh Valley employers for inclusion in the work groups from the healthcare; transportation, warehousing, & logistics; life science research & manufacturing; high-value business services; and manufacturing sectors.