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​​​​​​Workforce Development and Libraries

The Office of Commonwealth Libraries' 2018-2022 Library Services and Technology Act five-year plan identified workforce development services as a priority.

The Governor’s Advisory Council on Library Development endorsed this work by resolving to:

  • Encourage public libraries' efforts to work with workforce investment boards in order to advance workforce development for employers and job-seekers in Pennsylvania.

A​n Executive Order that identified the Governor’s Advisory Council on Library Development as one of fourteen agencies that the Pennsylvania Workforce Development Board should collaborate and coordinate with in order to develop statewide policies that improve workforce development.

PAsmart

Pennsylvania's future depends on the development of a highly skilled workforce able to compete in the global economy.

PAsmart is an initiative with the goal to expand inclusion in STEM and computer science teaching and learning, to help ensure students across Pennsylvania have the skills to meet the economic needs of the dynamic Pennsylvania economy.

PAsmart strategically invests resources in education and training opportunities to support Pennsylvania's economic growth now and in the future.

PAsmart grant applications and additional information. 

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) specifically identifies public libraries as possible partners for One-Stop Career Centers (known as CareerLinks in Pennsylvania).  

Developing Workforce Agency Partnerships

Libraries have unique assets that local workforce development agencies might want to know about:

Here are some recommendations about how libraries can collaborate with local agencies:

  1. Be familiar with your community's Local Workforce Development Area(s) (LWDA).​
  2. Coordinate your communications with nearby libraries that are located in your LWDA.
  3. Meet with your local Workforce Development Board’s (WDB) executive director. Introduce yourself and the libraries in the LWDA’s geographic area.
  • Tell them about the services that your library provides to job seekers and employers.
  • Discuss how you can participate in the WDB’s planning process.  Could you make a presentation to the WDB or be part of planning meetings?
  • Discuss how you can help make local workforce development services more accessible and cost-effective. Some example sare: