Industry Partnership Legislation Introduced to Maintain Pennsylvania’s National Model Skills Development Program

HARRISBURG – Joined by 33 co-sponsors, Senator Mike Brubaker (R-Lancaster) has re-introduced legislation that would codify Pennsylvania's Industry Partnership program within the state's Department of Labor & Industry. Similar bills passed both legislative chambers last year, but the legislative session ended before either bill could get to the Governor’s desk.

Pennsylvania's Industry Partnership program brings together businesses and workers within a single industry to identify and address common workforce needs. Through these partnerships, businesses with first-hand knowledge of the skills workers need direct training efforts and collaborate on curriculum development, industry-recognized credentials, and building career pathways. Businesses in Industry Partnerships also network with peers and learn practical ideas for managing effectively and boosting competitiveness. Over 6,300 businesses have joined Industry Partnerships state-wide and have been successful in training over 87,000 workers.

"Too many workers in Pennsylvania can't find good jobs, while many businesses even today can't find workers with the skills they need," said Tony Ross, President of the United Way of Pennsylvania. "Industry Partnerships help fix both these problems. Senator Brubaker's legislation would guarantee that this nationally recognized workforce program will remain in place and continue to help Pennsylvania businesses and workers gain a competitive edge as our economy recovers."

“Pennsylvania’s Industry Partnership initiative has become a national model of excellence in workforce development strategies,” said Pennsylvania Business Council President and CEO David W. Patti. “Pennsylvania’s business community strongly supports the program because it addresses critical workforce shortages in key industrial occupations through the voluntary collaboration of employers in similar industries or product lines, or which share supply chains, often cooperating with the associated organized labor unions. IPs work.”