House Republican Policy Committee Chairman David H. Rowe and Representative Marla Brown announced on March 18 that they, along with other lawmakers, will host a hearing focused on workforce development in the skilled trades across Pennsylvania. The event, titled “Built in Pennsylvania: Workforce Development in the Trades,” is scheduled for Thursday, March 19 at 1 p.m. at the Crane Room in New Castle.
The hearing aims to explore strategies to strengthen workforce development efforts within the skilled trades sector throughout the Commonwealth. Lawmakers say this discussion is important as industries continue to face challenges related to filling positions that require specialized training and skills.
Testifiers at the hearing will include Anna Barensfeld, vice president of strategic initiatives at ELLWOOD; Joseph Hughes, director of government relations for the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades; Julie Michael Smith, coalition manager for the Lawrence Mercer Manufacturers Coalition; Brendan Hathaway, junior/senior high school principal at Wilmington Area School District; Dr. Joe McCormick, superintendent of Shenango School District; and Leonard Rich, superintendent of Laurel School District and director of Lawrence County Career and Technical Center.
The committee said it hopes to gather insights from industry leaders and educators about current challenges and potential solutions for developing a stronger pipeline into skilled trade careers. The perspectives shared during this session are expected to inform future legislative efforts aimed at supporting workforce growth in these fields.
The event is open to interested members of the public who wish to learn more about ongoing initiatives and opportunities related to workforce development in Pennsylvania’s skilled trades.
