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Lancaster County Workforce Development Board Celebrates National Workforce Development Month
Lancaster, PA – September 1, 2026 – The Lancaster County Workforce Development Board (LCWDB) joins communities across the nation this September in recognizing National Workforce Development Month, a time to celebrate the partnerships, programs, and people strengthening our region's workforce and creating pathways to economic opportunity.
Founded in 2005 by the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals, Workforce Development Month is observed each September to raise awareness of the workforce development field and highlight the impact of local workforce boards nationwide. Pennsylvania's PA CareerLink® centers will mark the month with local events, including a PA CareerLink® Awareness Day on September 10, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
This year's observance follows a year of significant investment and measurable outcomes for LCWDB. In partnership with the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Lancaster County STEM Alliance, LCWDB helped launch Workforce 2030, a cross-sector strategy aligning workforce development efforts countywide around four goals: exploring careers, building skills, finding jobs, and removing barriers to employment. Over the past year, LCWDB has directed new investment and programming squarely behind those goals:
· Expanding career exposure for young people: LCWDB's Summer Earn & Learn program grew to serve more than 150 youth ages 14–24, providing paid work experience, hands-on exposure to local industries, and workplace skills that prepare them for lasting careers.
· Growing skilled-trades training: LCWDB secured a $350,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, in partnership with Millersville University and Precision Cobotics, to launch Robotic WorX, a registered pre-apprenticeship program preparing residents for careers in advanced manufacturing and robotics.
· Removing barriers for justice-impacted youth and adults: Through a $518,000 U.S. Department of Labor RESTART grant, LCWDB has expanded the current reentry services to create the Reform Work Matters program in partnership with the Workforce and Economic Development Center at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology. The program will connect 70 local young adults ages 18–24 who are on, or recently discharged from, probation or parole to skilled-trades training and employment pathways, with the first training cohort beginning August 18, 2026.
· Deepening career exploration partnerships: Through Career Ready Lancaster!, PA CareerLink® Lancaster County, area schools, employers, and community organizations, students and job seekers continued to gain direct exposure to local industries, in-demand career paths, and the education and training needed to pursue them.
LCWDB remains committed to advancing workforce initiatives that support economic mobility, employer competitiveness, and a thriving regional economy. Through collaboration, innovation, and strategic alignment, the Board continues to create opportunities that help Lancaster County residents succeed at every stage of their careers.
About the Lancaster County Workforce Development Board
The Lancaster County Workforce Development Board (LCWDB) provides strategic direction and resource alignment for the region's workforce system, connecting job seekers, employers, and community partners. Through collaborative initiatives and forward-looking strategies, LCWDB drives inclusive economic growth and workforce readiness across Lancaster County. For more information, visit www.lancastercountywib.com.
Auxiliary aids and services available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Equal Opportunity Employer/Program. Equal Opportunity is the Law. Language services available free of cost. TTY: (717) 391-3570. Program funded with federal dollars. For detailed information on filing a complaint and other equal opportunity information, please visit: https://www.lancastercountywib.com/equal-opportunity
Additional Info
Media Contact : Ali Garcia Communications Coordinator 717-735-0333 agarcia@lancastercountywib.com
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