Lehigh Times

The Pennsylvania state Senate has unanimously approved a resolution introduced by Sen. Jarrett Coleman (R-16) calling for an investigation into the effectiveness of workforce development programs in the state. The resolution aims to address the issue of unemployed workers lacking the necessary skills to obtain good-paying jobs and employers struggling to find qualified applicants to fill open positions.

According to Sen. Coleman, Pennsylvania's workforce development programs need to produce positive results for taxpayers, employers, and unemployed workers. He states, "We've seen many instances in recent years where good-paying and family-sustaining jobs are there, but workers often lack the skills and training necessary to fill them. That suggests there could be some misalignment or inefficiency in Pennsylvania's workforce development programs."

Pennsylvania currently operates several workforce development programs under different departments, including the Department of Labor and Industry, Department of Education, Department of Human Services, and Department of Community and Economic Development. However, it is unclear if the variety of programs offered by different departments has led to a lack of alignment, cohesion, and effectiveness in the provision of services.

To address these concerns, Sen. Coleman's Senate Resolution 169 directs the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee (LBFC) to conduct a study of state workforce development programs and make suggestions to improve the delivery of services to better help workers and employers. The LBFC, a bipartisan legislative agency composed of 12 members of the General Assembly, is responsible for conducting studies and making recommendations to promote efficiency in state government and ensure that state funds are spent in accordance with legislative intent and law.

Sen. Coleman, who serves as one of LBFC's members, has given the committee up to one year to produce its report. This report will play a crucial role in identifying any misalignment or inefficiencies in Pennsylvania's workforce development programs and provide recommendations for improvement.

Residents who want to learn more about Sen. Coleman and his work can visit his website at www.SenatorColeman.com, follow him on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SenatorJarrettColeman, and sign up for email newsletters at www.SenatorColeman.com/eNewsletters.

Contact: Leo Knepper

To learn more, click on this link: https://senatorcoleman.com/2023/12/12/senate-approves-coleman-resolution-to-improve-workforce-training/