The Lehigh Valley Hot Careers Dashboard, an interactive digital resource created by Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp. (LVEDC) to help students and job seekers explore careers, was voted as one of the top talent development and retention tools in the world. 

The dashboard won a Silver Award from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), which recognizes organizations that demonstrate consistent, exemplary performance through projects that have a significant impact on revitalizing communities.

It was one of four awards won by LVEDC, which competed against economic development organizations in the largest regions (those with at least 500,000 people), many of which have far greater resources.

The dashboard is part of LVEDC’s award-winning talent development, attraction, and retention strategies. It was created with input from Lehigh Valley employers and educators to be a tool for researching careers that are growing in the Lehigh Valley’s major industry sectors.

Anywhere on the dashboard that an occupation is listed, users can click in and learn more about it through the accompanying links that provide data such as average annual wages; education requirements and Lehigh Valley education institutions that offer that curriculum; and job posting counts.

Here is what some of the judges in the IEDC competition said about the dashboard:

“Incredible leadership illustrated here! Example for all. I hope you share with other EDOs looking to do the same.”

“Innovative tool and way to invite talent attraction.”

“Great dashboard - engaging, easy to use, and encompassing.”

The Lehigh Valley Hot Careers Dashboard is a companion to the Lehigh Valley Hot Careers Guide, a printed publication distributed annually to more than 60,000 middle and high school students across the Lehigh Valley.

The International Economic Development Council is the largest economic development association in the world, with more than 4,500 members globally. LVEDC is one of only 73 organizations to meet the council’s rigorous accreditation standards.

The other Excellence in Economic Development Awards won by LVEDC were:

Gold Award, Special Event, for the Fall Signature Event last October, “Lehigh Valley’s Technology Sector: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.” 

Silver Award, Economic Development Organization of the Year. 

Silver Award, LVEDC Annual Report. 

(Photo by Rick Kintzel)