Public Opinion: Op-Ed: Our Workforce Skills Gap
January 31, 2018
Franklin County’s economy is experiencing nearly unprecedented growth due in large part to our strategic location that is within a one-day drive of 50% of the North American population and our workforce, which is prized among employers large and small. Our growth has been such that our statistically calculated unemployment rate is 4%, which is a rate considered by most economists to represent full employment.
While our reported unemployment rate is very favorable, it is misleading. Many of our employers have vacant positions they cannot fill simply because there are not enough qualified applicants. In a recent Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry survey, more than half — 52 percent — said it is very difficult, at best, to recruit qualified job candidates, and 56 percent believe it will get worse by 2021. Only 21 percent — one in five — give the current labor force marks for job readiness of “excellent” or “good.”
Also, in that survey, more than nine employers in 10 said they look for verbal communication, reading comprehension, critical thinking, and basic math skills in their job applicants.
So, how do we close the skills gap? In the short term, it is incumbent on us to strengthen the relationship between our employers and our educational institutions to include secondary, post-secondary and our trade schools, especially the Franklin County Career and Technology Center and the newly opened Welding Training Center.
Our high-schoolers and their parents need to be better informed of the family sustaining career opportunities being offered by world-class employers right here in Franklin County. Moreover, they need to know of the post-secondary opportunities being offered at Wilson College, Penn State-Mont Alto and Shippensburg University. To that point, how many employers and current students know that Shippensburg University offers BS degrees in computer and software engineering as well as electrical, mechanical and civil engineering?
The next couple of years will require creative solutions in addressing the labor needs, but as we look to our future, the long-term solution is not as creative — it simply requires a commitment and investment in early childhood education.
We need to be better in providing access to quality pre-K education for all eligible preschool-aged children. Currently, 64 percent of eligible preschool-aged children in Pennsylvania are unable to access high quality, publicly funded pre-K due to limited state funding. Additionally, Pennsylvania is home to the widest per-pupil spending gap in the nation between wealthy and poor school districts. This shortchanges far too many schools, leading to larger classes, less personalized instruction, insufficient or outdated equipment, and cuts in academic offerings like career and technical education.
A skills gap among our workforce threatens our future economy … both here in Franklin County and across the Commonwealth. Boosting access to high quality pre-K and investing more long-term state funding through Pennsylvania’s fair education funding formula will address these inequities and help to close the skills gap ensuring a brighter economic future for all.
L. Michael Ross is president of the Franklin County Area Development Corporation.
Read the op-ed here.
WJET: PA ranks 18th out of 30 states in funding pre-k programs
January 30, 2018 by Jackie Roberts
In a study comparing 30 states, Pennsylvania is ranked 18th in investing in high-quality, publicly funded Pre-K.
“We talk about 16501 being the poorest zip code in Pennsylvania. That’s unfortunate and unacceptable and that needs to change. If we get these kids off on the right foot and a good foundation, that can change,” said Nick Scott, the vice president of Scott Enterprises.
Scott said the skills children learn in pre-k, make them stronger students and even more well-rounded employees.
He stood alongside representatives from the United Way and the Pennsylvania Partnership for Children, urging people to question public officials about their stance on funding pre-k, before election season.
Read the full article here.
York Dispatch: York-area business leaders urge candidates to support pre-K push
By Junior Gonzalez January 25, 2018
York County business leaders and child advocates this week urged candidates up and down the ballot in 2018 to make state funding for high-quality pre-K a major priority in their campaigns.
They say early education has consistently shown a return on investment for both the children and society at large.
York County Economic Alliance President and CEO Kevin Schreiber was joined Wednesday, Jan. 24, at the alliance’s downtown York City headquarters by Advancement Solutions LLC President Michael Smeltzer and Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children President Joan Benso for a news conference.
They made their plea on the heels of a report published last week on pre-K funding.
According to the report, titled “Pre-K works, so why not PA?,” 64 percent of eligible children — or 112,900 3- and 4-year-olds — are not enrolled in high-quality, publicly funded pre-K.
Pennsylvania ranks 18th out of 30 states in public funding for high-quality pre-K, with $792 invested per capita, well short of neighboring states such as New York ($1,736), New Jersey ($3,227) and Maryland ($1,005).
“We’re asking every candidate, ‘What are you going to do?’” Benso said.
Schreiber said data has consistently shown a correlation between early learning and improvements in a range of settings, from academic performance to reduced crime and increased wealth.
In fact, for every dollar invested in quality pre-K, $4 is returned to the commonwealth in savings and benefits from reduced remedial education and crime, according to the report.
Unfortunately, too few children get the chance to seize the early learning opportunity under current funding, Schreiber said.
“They will enter school unprepared for everything that follows until they have too little to contribute to our community,” he said.
While Gov. Tom Wolf and elected officials on both sides of the aisle say they agree on the effectiveness of pre-K, more state assistance is needed to ensure eligible children gain access, Benso said.
How much more? About $310 million, she said.
About $85 million more in pre-K funding is needed in the next budget cycle, according to Benso, with an additional $225 million by the 2020-21 fiscal year in order to serve all children at risk of failure.
While the numbers might seem high, current funding figures simply don’t meet the demand from parents and students, she said.
“Come fall, many (early childhood learning) service providers turn families away because they simply don’t have enough public dollars to bring another child in the classroom,” Benso said.
While she said the favorability of pre-K is universal, commitments on paper from candidates have been more elusive.
So far, none of the declared Republican candidates for governor have taken a stance on early education policy, Benso noted.
As a business chief, Smeltzer said many of the traits he looks for in applicants, including problem-solving and adaptability, are among the skills reinforced in pre-K classrooms.
Read the full article here.
Bucks County Herald: Schweiker, Rendell visit Bucks to advocate for state pre-K education funding
January 24, 2018 By Jodi Spiegel Arthur
Today in Pennsylvania, just over one third of the children eligible for quality pre-kindergarten education receive it while the remaining 64 percent – 112,000 children – don’t.
“It has to change,” former Gov. Ed Rendell said in a press conference during which he and former Gov. Mark Schweiker spoke about the need for pre-K education, and for candidates running for office in Pennsylvania to make it a priority.
The two former governors, Rendell a Democrat and Schweiker a Republican, spoke at the Bucks County Intermediate Unit in Doylestown Jan. 17, at a press conference organized by the Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children and Pre-K for PA.
According to “Pre-K Works, So Why Not PA?” a recently released report, Pennsylvania ranks 18th out of 30 states that make an investment in high-quality, publicly funded pre-K education. That’s despite the state increasing its investment by $30 million in the current fiscal year to $225 million.
By comparison, New Jersey ranks first in high-quality, pre-K spending at $3,227 per capita for the 2017-2018 fiscal year, compared to $792 per capita for Pennsylvania.
“We’ve been at this now for 16 years, and we’re making progress,” Schweiker said of advocating for pre-K funding. Nevertheless, he added, “We can do better.”
To reach all of the children who would benefit most, the Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children and Pre-K for PA say state policymakers should invest at least $85 million in the 2018-2019 fiscal year to double the expansion of the last three years and grow the investment with an additional $225 million by the 2020-2021 fiscal year to serve all at-risk children.
“It’s time for Pennsylvania’s leaders to follow two of Pennsylvania’s greatest governors and step up for pre-K,” said Joan Benso, president and CEO of Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children. She said Bucks County Intermediate Unit Director Mark Hoffman said the IU could serve twice as many children if it had the funding.
Schweiker and Rendell said spending money on high-quality pre-K programs pays off in terms of lower costs to educate children in grades 3 and 4 and beyond, since less remedial education is needed, and in good-paying jobs in Pennsylvania for those children when they become adults.
“This is not just some feel-good pursuit,” Schweiker said.
“To the leadership in Harrisburg,” he said, “we ask that you look closely at this.” He added that he hoped the candidates also would see the connection between providing high-quality pre-K and the future success of children and pledge their support.
“It’s not the private sector’s job,” Rendell said. “Educating our children is one of the government’s core responsibilities. There should be no child in Pennsylvania that doesn’t get high-quality pre-K education.
“The education we give our kids today determines the quality of our workforce 10-15 years down the road.”
Schweiker said he recognizes there is a strong sense of fiscal restraint and stewardship among legislators but believes they can be convinced investing in pre-K makes financial sense.
Rendell said a severance tax on natural gas drilling “would basically pay” the $200 million to $300 million for pre-K education for the children who are not currently receiving it. “I propose we pass a severance tax and put 100 percent toward pre-K education,” he added.
“People don’t care about raising taxes if they get something for it,” Rendell said.
“It’s time to elect people who have the courage to invest in things that are important to us.”
Read the article here.
Reading Eagle: Ed Rendell, Mark Schweiker push pre-K programs
January 20, 2018
Two former Pennsylvania governors – from two different parties – are urging candidates running for office to support strong pre-kindergarten programs.
Former Gov. Ed Rendell, a Democrat, joined former Gov. Mark Schweiker, a Republican, at a press conference in Doylestown this week to draw attention to the issue. Rendell and Schweiker made the case that investing in pre-K programs will help improve Pennsylvania’s economy in the long run.
Only 36 percent of Pennsylvania children receive top-notch, publicly funded pre-K programs, according to a report from Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children.
“High-quality pre-kindergarten is not a luxury. It is an investment in Pennsylvania’s economy,” said Schweiker. “An educated workforce is essential if Pennsylvania hopes to compete in the regional and global marketplace, and high-quality pre-K helps prepare our future workforce for success.”
Rendell noted that Pennsylvania ranks 18th out of 30 states that invest public money in pre-K programs. The rankings are found in the report, “Pre-K Works, So Why Not PA?”
“We’ve got a big decision to make this November – as do voters in 12 of the 17 states that invest more than Pennsylvania – when we head the polls to elect a new governor,” said Rendell. “Candidates seeking public office must commit to getting Pennsylvania out of the bottom half of states and make it a top state for pre-k investments.”
Joan Benso, president and CEO of Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children, noted that other states invest more per capita than Pennsylvania, including Maryland, New Jersey, New York and West Virginia.
Read the full article here.
