House Majority Policy Committee tours southcentral PA businesses to learn about workforce challenges

The House Majority Policy Committee toured several businesses in southcentral Pennsylvania this week to learn more about the workforce challenges they face, Policy Chairman Donna Oberlander (R-Clarion/Armstrong/Forest) said Wednesday.

“This spring, the House passed a series of bills to help address workforce development and assist businesses in addressing some of their overall challenges, especially in terms of recruiting and training new employees,” Oberlander said of the House Republicans’ Good Jobs for Pennsylvania package. “Now, it’s time to see if these changes are starting to make a difference, and to learn about other obstacles that may be in their way.”

The committee toured Farmacy Partners, a retail hemp location in York; ACCO Material Handling Solutions in York; Hollabaugh Brothers Fruit Farm and Market in Biglerville; Big Hill Ciderworks in Gardners; SpringGate Vineyard and Brewery near Harrisburg; and Allen Distribution in Carlisle.

The event ended with a roundtable discussion hosted by Rep. Barb Gleim (R-Cumberland) at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center in Carlisle. The roundtable discussion included business owners and other industry leaders and economic development experts and covered topics such as state and local regulations, workforce development, transportation logistics, and liquor laws.

The need to find qualified skilled workers was an overarching theme of the tours and roundtable, according to a press release from Oberlander. Numerous businesses highlighted the fact that they pay above the minimum wage and still have difficulty finding workers with commercial driver’s licenses or other employable skills.

“Having a forum where we can hear directly from businesses, in order to help eliminate the state barriers to vital economic growth, is incredibly valuable,” Gleim said. “I am thankful for the opportunity that the House Majority Policy Committee provided to facilitate this informed discussion. Based upon the information we received, it is time for the Legislature to act on additional measures and reforms to help improve our jobs climate.”

In addition to Oberlander and Gleim, members participating in the events included Appropriations Chairman Stan Saylor (R-York) and Reps. Sheryl Delozier (R-Cumberland), Torren Ecker (R-Cumberland/Adams), Kate Klunk (R-York), Mike Jones (R-York), Andrew Lewis (R-Dauphin), Jim Rigby (R-Cambria), Ryan Mackenzie (R-Lehigh/Berks) and Tommy Sankey (R-Clearfield/Cambria).