By Anna Ramos Executive Director, Lancaster County Workforce Development Board

A feature piece from our Summer 2024 issue of the Lancaster Thriving Publication.

The Lancaster County Workforce Development Board (LCWDB) believes in an environment characterized by innovative opportunities for job seekers, employers, and community partners to achieve their maximum potential as stated in the vision statement.  “Working collaboratively as a community to solve workforce issues is what Lancaster does through partnerships and aligning of resources” says Anna Ramos, Executive Director.   

When the PA Department of Labor and Industry announced the Near Completers Grant, which are funds available to local workforce boards to help job seekers re-enroll in educational programs to complete their post-secondary education in high-priority, in-demand fields, the LCWDB saw this as an opportunity to intentionally connect post-secondary institutions and workforce development through ACHIEVE.  Thinking collaboratively at our community partners in this space, the Lancaster Chamber came first to mind because of the convening of the College President’s group that the Chamber facilitates.   

The partners involved with ACHIEVE are Millersville University, Pennsylvania College of Art and Design, Elizabethtown College, Lancaster Chamber and PA CareerLink® of Lancaster County. Outlining the partners and roles took time and the LCWDB solicited the help of the Lancaster Chamber to serve as the project manager when the grant was awarded (Labor & Industry Awards $6 Million to Help Pennsylvanians Re-Enroll in Educational Programs, Prepare for In-Demand Careers) June 1, 2023 and run until June 30, 2024 in the amount of $2million.  The Lancaster County Workforce Development Board was one of four workforce boards awarded a Near Completer Grant in the state.  Near Completer Grant was seen as a key priority of Governor Josh Shapiro’s 2023 Budget with a total investment of $6 Million. (The other Boards awarded were; Bucks County, Chester County and Westmoreland Fayette) 

ACHIEVE is a collaborative project that enables Pennsylvania residents to complete an unfinished certificate or degree program in a high-demand, family-sustaining wage occupation while providing education, workforce, and holistic wrap-around support.  ACHIEVE incorporates innovative practices that apply rapid credentialing strategies including credit transfers, prior learning credit/experience, military credit, stackable credential attainment, online and asynchronous accessibility, as well as deployment of a network of support including case management, peer support, career guidance, and employment support services. 

What made ACHIEVE unique and truly game-changing for enrollees was the holistic wrap-around support that was provided to individuals who were faced with barriers that prohibited them from completing their degree in the first place.  These funds were able to not only cover the cost of tuition, but include childcare, transportation, health-related issues and any financial strain individuals faced while enrolled in school.  The goal of the grant was to support individuals to complete and obtain quality employment with family-sustaining wages, while addressing workforce shortages. 

The Lancaster Chamber project manager, Ashley Glensor, collects quarterly updates from all the schools on the enrollments, outcomes and most importantly impact stories and the LCWDB will continue to follow the individuals to ensure they are successfully employed and equipped with the services of the PA CareerLink®.    

This has been a great example of business, education and our community partners coming together to address workforce challenges, which is the definition of a local workforce board.   
The Lancaster County Workforce Development Board is committed to connecting people to opportunities and showcasing local resources through Career Ready Lancaster! www.careerreadylancaster.com, and provide fiscal resources for your businesses workforce challenges Workforce Solutions – Lancaster County Workforce Development Board (lancastercountywib.com) 

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