From Spotlight PA
Join Spotlight PA for a virtual community forum on Thursday, Feb. 19, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. EST, to learn more about the future workforce in Berks County and meet the Workforce Development Board’s new director.
2025 was a busy year for the Berks County Workforce Development Board. In collaboration with other groups in the region, they developed a Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) Plan for 2025 to 2028. And they produced a longer-term, more enhanced plan for Berks County Workforce 2030. And with the retirement of Dan Fogarty, their long-time Director, they promoted Amber Columbo to serve as their new Director.
It is projected that the county workforce will grow incrementally over the next five years. With many workers retiring, the focus will shift to recruiting younger talent and upskilling current staff to keep pace with workplace changes.
Overall, the priority industry sectors for the county are expected to remain stable. Berks will continue to be one of the leading areas in Pennsylvania for manufacturing, but the healthcare industry is seeing the most significant growth. The other areas of focus are construction, education, agriculture and transportation, and warehousing. But there are challenges; upskilling the younger workers is one. Enhancing their literacy and numeracy skills is another. Attainable, diverse housing was identified as a challenge, as was access to transportation. The number of Berks County residents working outside of the county will continue to grow significantly, but our ability to attract workers who reside in neighboring counties will be stagnant. Less than two-thirds of those people working in Berks County live here. The research, including the interviews and surveys of employers, indicates that employers must find new ways to address the needs and demands of the existing workforce.
Join us to learn more about the future workforce in Berks County and meet the Board’s new Director.
Register for the Forum using Eventbrite at eventbrite.com/e/community-forum-workforce-development-in-berks-county-tickets-1978293913349?aff=oddtdtcreator.
