Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation’s efforts to connect educators and employers were highlighted at a summit on how Pennsylvania institutions are working across sectors to tackle shared challenges, build workforce pipelines, and support students. 
Karianne Gelinas, Vice President of Talent Strategies, shared insights on LVEDC’s initiatives at the event at Northampton Community College in Bethlehem on April 28, one of four being held nationwide by the American Council on Education.
The goal of the summits is to identify shared opportunities and strengthen cross-sector engagement. The session in the Lehigh Valley was titled, “Building Pathways in Pennsylvania: Higher Ed Partnerships for Access, Childcare, and Workforce.”
“The Lehigh Valley is fortunate to be home to colleges and universities such as NCC that engage with employers in meaningful ways. Our schools collaborate to align curriculum with industry demands and produce the talent employers need,” Gelinas said.
Foundational to this work, she noted that LVEDC completes regular studies that uncover regional talent demand and include interviews, surveys, and focus groups with employers in order to get valid, locally-relevant feedback.
She explained that many employers want to partner with colleges and universities and build pipelines for their graduates, but some don’t know how to make those connections or where to start.
“We hear that employers are focused increasingly on the skills that employees bring than on their degrees,” Gelinas said. Certifications and credentials are becoming more desirable, and employers seek people with strong professional skills.
Dr. David A. Ruth, President of Northampton Community College, provided information about NCC’s initiatives.
“We find ourselves at a pivotal moment in education. Student needs are growing more complex, and we, as educators and institutions of higher learning, must evolve to meet these changing needs. It’s so important to come together to discuss topics like student access, removing barriers to education, and creating meaningful workforce pathways so that we can ensure we best serve our students and, in turn, our communities," Ruth said.
The summit also shared insights from Katelyn Mack, President at the Lehigh Valley Inter-Regional Networking and Connecting Consortium (LINC), and Andrew Brown, Nursing Director, Patient Care Services at St. Luke’s University Health Network, along with students from NCC and Moravian University.
The American Council on Education is the major coordinating body for the nation’s colleges and universities, with a membership of nearly 1,600 colleges and universities, related associations, and other organizations in the United States and abroad. ACE convenes and leads advocacy efforts that shape effective public policy, cultivates a more diverse institutional leadership pipeline, and forms partnerships to address the complex challenges of today’s learners.
(Photo courtesy of American Council on Education)