Here in the Lehigh Valley, we're acutely aware of the advantages of a well-educated, well-trained workforce. Our educational infrastructure has strong ties to business and industry, thanks to the pioneering efforts of the Lehigh Valley Business/Education Partnership. In addition, the Lehigh Valley boasts a number of highly adaptive training facilities. These centers provide everything from basic employment skills to specialized technical instruction, as well as routinely tailor-made training programs for individual businesses and industries.
Links to topics below:
Educational Infrastructure
Eastern Pa Training Works Partnership
Lehigh Valley Association of Independent Colleges, Inc. (LVAIC)
Lehigh Valley Team Pennsylvania Careerlink
Vocational-Technical Schools
Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC)
Northampton Community College
Business and Technology Advancement
Ben Franklin Technology Partners Of Northeastern Pennsylvania (BFTP/NEP)
Bridgeworks Enterprise Center
Electrotechnology Applications Center (ETAC)
Iacocca Institute
Lehigh Valley Business Calling Program
Manufacturers Resource Center (MRC)
Matchmaker Procurement Services (MPS)
National Training Center For Microelectronics (NTCu)
Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR)
Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program (PENNTAP)
Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
Technology Enterprise Center (TEC)
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The Lehigh Valleys educational infrastructure includes 17 public school districts, three vocational and technical schools, a wide variety of private elementary and secondary schools, and four state and six private colleges and universities.
These educational resources work with business and industry in a unified effort called the Lehigh Valley Business/Education Partnership. The partnership, established in 1989 and structured as a collaboration of task forces, seeks support for educational efforts from all segments of the community. This partnership has attracted national attention and commendation and has become a model for other communities.
The partnerships most recent product is a comprehensive package of school-to-work programs, which are being implemented at all educational levels. These programs will expand students' career awareness, provide insight into local and global economies and hone the skills necessary for successful employment. The keystone of this effort is the commitment of all 17 area public school districts to a 10-step career development curriculum that begins at the primary grade levels and continues through and beyond high school.
The Eastern PA Training WORKS Partnership is a national network of regional workforce development consortia committed to promoting community collaboration and unification of area educational resources. Through the partnership, these consortiums share resources, programs and best practices; jointly apply for research and development grants; promote new workforce products and services; and assist each other in developing regional workforce partnerships that target small and midsize companies for membership.
The Eastern PA Training WORKS Partnership brings together area business to develop industry-specific training programs. Common needs are jointly identified in order to design curriculum and develop programs. The Eastern PA Training WORKS Partnership is actively recruiting companies to join the partnership and benefit from the consortiums activities.
For more information about the Eastern PA Training WORKS Partnership and other programs, contact the Manufacturers Resource Center at 610-758-5599.
Established in 1969, the Lehigh Valley Association of Independent Colleges expands educational opportunities for students, offers professional development for faculty and staff, engenders greater economy and efficiency of operations, and serves local communities in a variety of ways. Cooperation permits smaller colleges and universities to retain the myriad advantages that flow naturally from humanly scaled institutions while providing many of the services often associated with larger, less personal institutions. LVAIC is incorporated as a nonprofit, charitable organization whose founding members include: Cedar Crest College, DeSales University, Lafayette University, Lehigh University, Moravian College and Muhlenberg College.
Lehigh Valley CareerLink provides a "one-stop shop" for the skilled human resources needed to satisfy employers employment and training needs. A premier recruitment, prescreening, assessment and job matching system for employers brings the two ends of the labor market together. CareerLink further promotes business activity by providing labor market information, offering a full menu of human resource services and prepares the workforce with training based on labor market demands and employment services that connect the workforce with jobs. Following is a sample of the business and industry services the Lehigh Valley Team Pennsylvania CareerLink provides to employers:
Labor Market Information- The Lehigh Valley CareerLink Outlook publication provides seasonally adjusted unemployment rates, a job and labor market overview of the Greater Lehigh Valley including trends in employment projections and a description of job seekers in the Lehigh Valley. It also includes: employer cutbacks and closings, continued growth areas, high-demand occupations, current salary information, benefit packages, personnel policies and workforce availability statistics.
Human Resources Employment Center- As a one-stop center to answer all your human resource needs, Lehigh Valley CareerLink will work with you to attract trained, qualified and motivated workers to meet your hiring requirements. Lehigh Valley CareerLink staff is focused on employment issues and will work with your business to recruit the workforce your organization needs to be competitive. Their Rapid Response Team reacts within 24 hours to any industry start up or business restructuring.
Recruitment and Prescreening- Lehigh Valley CareerLink will advertise, recruit, collect, assess, prescreen and refer qualified workers that meet your specific job description and skill qualifications. They serve as the focal point by accepting applications at their one-stop location and providing employers with office space and the clerical support needed for interviewing and selecting your workforce.
Business and Community Resources- Lehigh Valley CareerLinks business and community network keeps them in touch with over 80 business and community-based organizations. Their reputation as an effective one-stop shopping organization was achieved by working in concert with the Chambers of commerce, business education and economic development partners, and city, state and national governments with an active workforce investment board.
For more information about services available through the workforce development system in the Lehigh Valley, call the Team Pennsylvania Lehigh Valley CareerLink at 610-437-5627.
Vocational-technical schools remain a strong component of the Lehigh Valleys educational mix. The areas three vocational-technical programs provide diverse curricula that focus on leadership and employability. Students spend half of each day at the vo-tech school getting hands-on experience with state-of-the-art equipment in settings that reflect real-life work environments. Course content is based on direct input from local business and industry. Students learn the marketable and transferable skills that are in demand at all types of local businesses.
Vocational-technical schools also provide practical, hands-on adult workforce training, which includes:
Industry-related full-time certificate programs that prepare dislocated workers to re-enter the local workforce.
Industry-related evening and daytime upgrade skill training in computers, machining, welding, hydraulics, pneumatics, mechanical practices, pipefitting, electricity, electronics, CDL licensing, forklift operation, computer-aided drafting, computer graphics, health-related occupations and more.
Training and testing local, state, national and professional occupational licensing and certification.
Specialized assessment and training customized for individual businesses and industry needs.
Lehigh Carbon Community Colleges Donley Center for Workforce Training at Portland Place in Allentown is nationally recognized for the full service of training and development programs for business, industry, government and service organizations. With over 30 years of experience in workforce training, LCCC serves thousands of employees while ensuring local businesses remain competitive with a well-trained workforce. The Donley Center for Workforce Training provides professional development programs such as: work keys job profiling, skills assessment, customized training, open enrollment courses, seminars and online training. A sample of the open enrollment offerings include:
Training Institutes- Three nationally recognized training institutes cosponsored with the Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce: Workforce Training Institute, Professional Development Institute and Small Business Institute. Programs include leadership development, coaching skills, communication training and problem solving.
Technical Training- All levels of technical training including Auto-cad, Machine Tool Technology and Technical Writing.
Health and Safety- First aid and CPR, OSHA training, First Responder and safety programs.
Computer Academy- All levels of application software through Microsoft and CISCO Certifications.
Basic Skills- Work readiness skills including basic math and reading, ESL and GED preparation.
Family Business Center- Nationally recognized center that recently merged with the Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce. The center provides specialized courses on succession issues as well as family business leadership.
For more information contact Ann Bieber at 610-799-1581 or abieber@.lccc.edu.
The highly acclaimed Center for Business and Industry (CBI) at Northampton Community College has offered a complete spectrum of business/industry training and development services for the past 25 years. Services include organizational consultation, skill assessment and job profiling, customized training programs and public seminars. Programs are conducted on site or in CBIs world-class conference and training center conveniently located near the intersection of Routes 22 and 191 in Bethlehem.
Some of the premier training and development resources Northampton Community College offers are:
Technical training and assistance provided nationally and internationally with in-house expertise in such areas as electronics packaging and manufacturing, plastics processing, computer-aided design, environmental compliance, coatings and curing technology, chemical technology, electronics technology, process improvement, ISO 9000 and quality assurance.
An array of computer courses encompassing user applications, certification, Web site and e-commerce applications, networking, database development and administration, and help desk programs.
A regional industrial skills center providing first-rate training and skill assessment in mechanical maintenance, fluid power, electrical systems, programmable controllers, HVAC, industrial safety, codes and process equipment operation.
A full line of management, business, finance, marketing and support staff courses are offered by the American Management Association Extension.
First-class organizational development services, including employee survey design and implementation, management team facilitation and conflict resolution.
Expertise in the development of employee and management skills, including problem solving, teamwork, communication, creative thinking, safety, quality and customer service.
Workplace literacy department providing skills assessment and training in the critical areas of problem solving, reading comprehension and communication.
Contact: Paul Pierpoint at 610-862-5532, pierpoint@northampton.edu.
The Lehigh Valley is proactive when it comes to retaining and growing existing businesses. In fact, established businesses create 80 percent of all new jobs in our region.
The Ben Franklin Technology PArtners of Northeastern Pennsylvania (BFTP/NEP) links Pennsylvania companies with universities, funding and other resources to help them prosper in todays knowledge-based economy through innovation. The center was created in 1983 to play a leadership role in helping to strengthen the regional economy and to create and retain high-wage, high-skilled jobs. A specific focus is to help both new and established manufacturers achieve leading market positions through innovation in products and processes. The centers strategy encompasses three key areas:
Developing early-stage, technology-oriented manufacturers
Helping established, small to medium-sized manufacturers creatively apply new technology and business practices
Promoting community-wide initiatives that foster a favorable business environment for high-growth companies
The northeastern center is located on the campus of Lehigh University and operates a technology incubator on Lehighs Mountaintop Campus. BFTP/NEP is a nonprofit corporation that is part of a four-center, state-funded economic development initiative.
For more information contact Ben Franklin @ 610-758-5200 or info@nep.benfranklin.org.
The Bridgeworks Enterprise Center Small Business Incubator is an 84,000-square-foot facility geared to helping small businesses start and grow. The centers small business tenants are provided with a basic package of services at no charge. These services include:
All utilities
Security, janitorial, building and site maintenance
Conference room and library
Reception, telephone and mail
Access to 500k bps data network
Management, technical and financial assistance
Use of material and handling equipment
Loan of office furniture as available
Additional low-cost services include:
Copying and faxing
Secretarial assistance
Computer training and assistance
Loan structuring, analysis, packaging and placement for both commercial and government loan sources
Venture capital funding assistance
For a business to be eligible for admittance to the Bridgeworks Incubator, tenants must be new, independently owned and engaged in the field of light manufacturing, assembly, research and development, or business services. In addition, the company must demonstrate a need for help in developing new business that will increase the local economy and create new job opportunities.
Most successful startups leave the center within three years. When they do, they are provided with help to ensure an orderly transition, including a site search to identify prospective locations and help with financing for relocation or construction. The center will also help with details such as permits, contracts, legal matters, insurance, utilities and notification of government agencies.
More information at 610-770-1015.
ETAC is located on the North Campus of Northampton Community College. ETAC helps regional manufacturers apply electrotechnologies to increase productivity, achieve environmental compliance and improve energy effectiveness. The technologies emphasized at the Center are infrared, ultraviolet, microwave and radio frequency energies for heating, drying, coating and curing operations. ETACs services include:
Laboratory analysis- Testing, inspections, comparative analyses of various manufacturing processes
Coatings development- Although ETAC primarily demonstrates commercially available coatings technologies, its technical staff has the expertise to develop and reformulate coatings for specific customer needs.
Technical consulting- ETACs technical staff can review system designs, write equipment bid specifications, review bids and provide project management support.
Process analysis and auditing- ETAC can help evaluate production processes to identify and investigate alternative technologies for improving manufacturing efficiency and product improvements.
Technical training and course development- ETAC presents a variety of training courses both at ETAC and at the customers facility.
Production work- Small production projects can be undertaken during evenings and weekends.
The Iacocca Institute was formed in 1988 by Lee A. Iacocca and Lehigh University. It is dedicated to increasing the global competitiveness of business and industry.
Organized as a vision-focused, action-oriented group, the Institutes direction is to help companies help themselves and to ensure the availability of a competitive workforce today and in the future.
The Institute has achieved a worldwide reputation for excellence and effectiveness. By leveraging competitiveness through cooperation, the Institute has pioneered new forms of competitive organizations that benefit both the commercial and the defense sectors of our nation.
The Institute is first and foremost a facilitator, nurturing intellectual leadership and visionary thinking. Enabling the success of others is the underlying theme of the Iacocca Institute and its affiliated organizations.
The Global Village for Future Leaders of Business and Industry is the Institutes premiere program. The six-week summer internship brings together 75 individuals from around the world to learn a new range of business and life skills essential within the corporate sector and fundamental to global competitiveness. Interns learn from hands-on classroom experiences as well as interactions with senior executives representing international companies.
The Lehigh Valley Business Calling Program is part of the Team Pennsylvania (TeamPA) initiative to improve the delivery of economic development services in the Commonwealth. TeamPA is a unique partnership that serves as a catalyst to retain and create jobs through a partnership of public and private sector leaders. The Lehigh Valley is one of the Commonwealths 10 marketing regions.
Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC) serves as the coordinator for Team PA activities in this region. Its mission is to reach out to businesses, identify needs and link with resources for solutions to keep them growing in the Lehigh Valley.
The initiative uses a Business Calling Program that involves private and public sector representatives to interview business owners. The Chambers of Commerce are actively involved in the process, as are business leaders, economic development and other professionals. More than 3,000 Lehigh Valley employees have been interviewed to date.
Aggregated data from the interviews are shared periodically with the business community, government and legislative representatives and others who have a need to understand business issues and can influence Commonwealth and regional policies.
For additional information contact Bob Wendt, Regional Coordinator at 610-266-7619 or bobwendt@rcn.com
The Manufacturers Resource Center (MRC) is a nonprofit corporation that is customer focused, performance based and results oriented. MRCs primary customers are small to mid-size manufacturers who are committed to changing their operations to become more competitive. MRC is positioned as an advocate for and enabler of change for the manufacturers they serve. MRC has core competencies in productivity, quality, organizational effectiveness, workforce training and information technology, which are delivered in a customized individual or group basis. The MRC partners with individuals and organizations at local, regional, state and national levels to deliver the best solutions for their clients. As a result of their customers success, MRC is nationally recognized as a leader in manufacturing assistance and has helped raise the economic level of our communities by creating more jobs, more cost savings for client firms and high-impact, cost-competitive manufacturers. The MRCs four main umbrellas of activities include:
Workforce Training/Human Resource Services Job Analysis and Skill Assessment
Comprehensive Training Assessment
Customized Job Training Consortium
School-to-Work
Human Resources Networks
Quality Quality Assessment
Total Quality Improvement
ISO 9000- International Quality Standard Services
QS 9000- Automotive Standard Services
ISO 14000- Environmental Management System
Statistical Process Control Training
Design for Manufacturability
Executive Quality Performance Management Forum
Operations Production-Operations Assessment, Automation/Robotics, Cellular Manufacturing, Just-in-Time Manufacturing
Manufacturing Control-System/Integration, Plant Layout, Production Enhancement
Technology-Identification of New Technology, New Applications/Research
Information Systems-Information Assessment, Software Selection, Bar Coding, CAD, CAM, CAE, EDI, Inventory Control, MIS, IT Network
Business Practices Benchmarking
Strategic Planning
Marketing Assessment, Plan and Network
International Trade
Accounting/Financial Planning
Financing
CEO Forum
Lehigh Valley Manufacturers Forum
MRC provides managerial consulting assistance and identifies resource options to help manufacturers change their operations to improve productivity and quality.
Contact: 610-758-5599.
Matchmaker Procurement Services is a private, nonprofit organization that provides information on Pennsylvania businesses, enabling firms to reap the benefits of local sourcing.
Supported by a database of over 3,000 companies, Matchmaker links purchasing firms with companies involved in basic industries and services as well as those offering advanced technology products.
Recently, Matchmaker implemented an Internet industrial buyer's guide. The guide is designed to be a one-stop source for local contract manufacturers and service providers who serve the manufacturing sector.
MPS can also assist local firms that are planning to expand their business by providing information on firms in their field, which could provide vertical integration or expansion within current markets. These companies are excellent candidates for a join venture, merger or acquisition.
Matchmaker can also assist owners who wish to sell their company by conducting confidential searches for potential buyers and providing referral services for legal and financial assistance, if required. For sales invoicing companies valued at $1 million plus, Matchmaker has a strategic alliance with a firm that provides a complete range of financial intermediary services covering every aspect of an acquisition or divestiture, all in a completely confidential manner.
Contact: 610-861-6942
NTCu provides training and consulting for the electronics industry. Since its creation in 1985, it has developed outcome-based training programs for hundreds of companies throughout the United States, Europe, the Middle East and the Pacific Rim. One of the NTCus programs has been the highest-rated tutorial at the Surface Mount International Trade Show for the past three years.
NTCu develops and implements training specifically for the workmanship standard requirements of the electronics industry. It focuses on electronic assembly and designs in through-hole, SMT, hybrid and high-density packaging technologies. Technical courses for engineers, technicians and operators are presented year-round at the NTCu facility at Northampton Community College. Customized courses and custom-developed training are presented at client sites as well.
NTCus technical presenters are internationally recognized as professionals with extensive experience in curriculum development and training implementation. They also have extensive business and field experience through their work with many Fortune 500 companies.
In today's competitive economy, retaining skilled workers can be a big challenge for any business. Pennsylvania's Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) can help. At OVR, we specialize in providing businesses with job-ready, qualified applicants with disabilities. Employers have been very pleased with the motivated, dedicated workers referred to them by OVR. And better yet, we're offering incentives for hiring our job candidates. The "Employer Outreach Grant Program," offered by OVR through Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC), provides qualified businesses with grant dollars of approximately $15,000 to purchase machinery or equipment to be operated by an OVR job candidate. Other tax credits and incentives can add up to nearly $70,000 over three years for businesses that hire individuals with disabilities. This includes grants to small businesses to make their workplaces accessible to workers wtih disabilities.
Whether you are in need of qualified workers, manufacturing equipment, computers, building modifications, or cash registers to name a few, OVR has the people and funds to take your business to the next level.
For more information on the "Employer Outreach Grant Program," tax credits and other incentives, contact Janet Smith of LVEDC at 610-266-0887, or Barbara Boksan of OVR at 610-821-6441.
PENNTAP helps Pennsylvania businesses and industries improve their competitiveness by providing free scientific and technological assistance and information. The assistance is intended to help resolve specific technical questions or problems that can be addressed within a limited amount of time.
The program focuses on helping small and medium-sized businesses that do not have the in-house expertise or time to resolve these kinds of problems. PENNTAP technical specialists assist these businesses with technical information, short-term technical counseling, and referrals to other experts, resources or programs.
PENNTAP services the entire state of Pennsylvania with a technical librarian and a network of technical specialists who have specific areas of expertise and are located throughout the state. These areas of expertise include:
Environmental
Health & Safety
Statistical Data Analyses & Data Research
Product Development
Wood Products & Forestry
Computer & Information Systems
Process Improvements
Quality Control/Quality Assurance
Technical Information Searches
Contact PENNTAP for more information at 610-758-4565.
The SBDC at Lehigh University helps small firms in every stage of development to survive and grow in todays highly competitive global economy. The SBDC is the resource that entrepreneurs in all industry sectors can turn to for help. They handle all areas of development, from helping budding entrepreneurs turn ideas into business, to helping small firms expand, to providing information that every business person needs in order to make critical decisions. The SBDC offers assistance and training through four programs:
The Management Assistance Program- provides information, resources and recommendations through financial and accounting analysis, marketing studies, business and marketing planning, operations analysis, new venture planning and small business financing. The SBDCs WISE program provides clients with access to a wide range of electronic resources at low or no cost.
The Government Marketing Assistance Program- assists small businesses interested in contracting with local, state and federal governments. It helps businesses identify opportunities through its BID MATCH automated bid leads program, provides pre-awarded surveys and walks interested businesses through the sometimes-daunting government purchasing process
The International Trade Development Program- provides consulting to businesses wishing to explore, develop and implement import/export strategies. It helps client businesses identify international trade opportunities, make appropriate contacts and develop international market entry and expansion strategies. ITDP also coordinates the Team Pennsylvania Export Network in the Lehigh Valley.
The Financing Assistance Program- helps clients determine appropriate financing strategies, identify sources of financing and prepare loan packages for those sources. The Financing Assistance Program acts as the gatekeeper to the Lehigh Valley Small Business Loan Pool and administers the Lehigh and Northampton Counties Revolving Loan Fund.
Contact Sandra Holsonback at 610-758-3980.
The Technology Enterprise Center is a total environment designed to foster the growth and success of small businesses. One of a growing number of similar centers across the Lehigh Valley, the TEC Center provides the entrepreneur with an environment for success. By providing business resources at a reasonable rate, it permits companies to focus their limited resources on developing, producing and marketing their products and services.
The TEC Center provides telephone answering, secretarial, word processing and janitorial services, as well as access to copy machines and computer services. In addition, it offers conference rooms, shipping areas and many other shared facilities, including a complete small business support organization that provides accounting, bookkeeping and marketing services.
For more information regarding the TEC Center, please visit our Web site at www.Allentown@tec-center.com or call us at 610-871-5050.