The latest Talent Study conducted by Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC) shows the Lehigh Valley benefits from significant workforce advantages including population growth and training alignment with local employers’ needs. At the same time, the region must address challenges such as changing demographics and the potential impacts of artificial intelligence. 
Every two years, LVEDC surveys regional employers to gain firsthand insight into workforce trends, challenges, and future needs. For this study, more than 130 business leaders and regional partners participated in surveys and focus groups.
The study (read it here) identifies gaps, informs regional priorities, and guides collaborative efforts to strengthen the region’s workforce.
It focuses on five industry sectors: Advanced Manufacturing; Healthcare; Life Science Research and Manufacturing; Professional and Creative Services; and Transportation, Warehousing, Logistics, and Wholesale.
“A strong workforce is essential to the Lehigh Valley’s continued economic success. Understanding what employers need, the challenges they face, and how those needs are changing helps the region’s partnership to develop strategies to attract, develop, and retain talent,” Karianne Gelinas, LVEDC’s Vice President of Talent Strategies, noted.
On Oct. 21 at Northampton Community College, Gelinas summarized the findings and recommendations for about 80 members of the Education and Talent Supply Council, a coalition of educators, employers, and community leaders who spearhead collaborative, research-based approaches to talent-market challenges.
The Talent Study found the Lehigh Valley benefits from significant advantages. Employers’ hiring expectations remain stable to growing in the near term; the region continues to attract new residents, particularly from the New York City and Philadelphia metro regions; and education and training programs broadly align with employer needs.
Despite these advantages, employers report challenges finding workers with the required skills and necessary career experiences to fill their jobs. These concerns are made more pressing by retirements, wage competition from other regions, and preferences for remote work. Additionally, some workers’ ability to enter or remain in the workforce is affected by broad issues including housing affordability, childcare availability, and transportation access. This mirrors national trends.
Furthermore, artificial intelligence has emerged as a disruptor. AI is expected to reshape many jobs, with human talent remaining essential. The Lehigh Valley must meet employers’ current workforce needs while preparing workers and businesses for continued change.
What’s Next
After hearing the findings, members of the Education and Talent Supply Council immediately got to work discussing how to address them. Council members broke into groups to address each topic. 
“These initial conversations are going to center where our priorities across this group lie,” Gelinas told them. “Are these the right recommendations that we should be thinking about and working on? Are there any specific recommendations that might rise to the top where we want to explore and concentrate our energy over the next year?”
The council brings together more than 100 employers, educators, and community organizations to create regional strategies to help the Lehigh Valley attract, develop, and retain its workforce. It was formed based on findings from LVEDC’s initial Talent Study in 2015.
Fourth Talent Study
The 2026 study marks LVEDC’s fourth comprehensive talent study in the past decade. Together, these studies have helped shape the region’s collaborative, award-winning talent strategies and continue to provide a foundation as those strategies move forward.
LVEDC contracted Development Counsellors International (DCI) to complete a thorough qualitative and quantitative analysis of the Lehigh Valley talent market in partnership with Lightcast. DCI is a nationally recognized full-service agency specializing in all phases of talent attraction, economic development, and tourism research and marketing. Lightcast is a leading authority on in-demand skills, labor market trends, and talent intelligence.
(Photos by LVEDC)