Keystone Research Center Congratulates General Assembly for Recognizing Workforce Solutions Week

Resolutions Acknowledge Key Role of PA Industry Training Partnerships in Helping Families & Businesses Thrive as Economy Rebounds

HARRISBURG, Pa., March 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Senate and House of Representatives unanimously passed Resolutions on Monday and Tuesday of this week recognizing March 8 to 14 as Workforce Solutions Week in Pennsylvania.

To see Senate Resolution 258, go to: http://tinyurl.com/yh3ajtk. To see House Resolution 664, go to: http://tinyurl.com/yh4orus.

During this week, workers, businesses and community leaders across the commonwealth are celebrating Pennsylvania's industry training partnerships and the innovative efforts of these partnerships to train workers to succeed as the economy recovers, while also strengthening businesses.

"In Washington, D.C. and in Harrisburg, we are talking about jobs," said Representative Robert Belfanti, the sponsor of the House resolution.  "But we also need to talk about upgrading workers' skills for the new jobs that will drive the economic recovery."

More than two-thirds of jobs in today's economy require post-secondary education or skills training.  Yet nearly 6 out of 10 unemployed workers in Pennsylvania lack any education beyond high school.  As the economy changes over time, new skills and specialties are constantly needed for workers to compete in a global economy.

With its Industry Partnerships Program, and its participation in national initiatives such as the "National Fund for Workforce Solutions," "Connecting Literacy and Work" and "Jobs to Careers," Pennsylvania is a recognized leader in workforce development.

"The innovation and cooperation of businesses, workers, and policymakers have made Pennsylvania's workforce development programs the envy of the nation," said Senator Christine Tartaglione, one of the Senate resolution's sponsors.  "A highly skilled workforce is the best guarantee of future economic success."

"We are pleased that the Legislature has paid tribute to the innovative programs serving the businesses and workers here in Pennsylvania," said Dr. Susan Crandall, Director of Workforce Innovation for the Keystone Research Center and the state coordinator of Workforce Solutions Week.  "As the Resolution says, 'The employment of future workers and the re-employment of displaced workers are dependent on training programs that provide workers with skills needed in critical industries.'

"Skilled training has never been more important," Dr. Crandall added.

Activities to raise the visibility of Workforce Solutions Week in Pennsylvania are supported by the Pennsylvania Fund for Workforce Solutions (PFWS), a collaborative project funded by national and Pennsylvania foundations. The Keystone Research Center, an economic and public policy think tank, staffs the PFWS. Learn more at www.pfws.org.

Workforce Solutions Week is being coordinated nationally by Jobs for the Future, which develops innovative education and workforce strategies that enable individuals to achieve family-sustaining careers and strengthen the nation's global competitiveness. In nearly 200 communities in 41 states, Jobs for the Future improves the pathways leading from high school to college to family-sustaining careers. Learn more at www.jff.org.

SOURCE Keystone Research Center