Office of Workforce Development
Mission Statement
"To engage employers, educators and community partners to create a life-long learning environment that will attract and retain strong businesses and a diverse talented workforce critical for sustaining a vibrant community and a growing, innovative economy."
The Office of Workforce Development was created for two primary functions.
- Create a Network through a case management approach:
a. Responsible for bringing together networks of service providers to address existing workforce issues facing individual employers, issues that reach across various industry groups or issues that affect a geographic location in the county.
b. Serve as the single point of contact and referral for workforce related issues.
c. Maintain a working referral catalogue of service providers.
- Act as a Catalyst for addressing long term workforce development issues:
a. Identify and organize responses to long-term emerging issues for both employers and workforce development service providers.
b. Provide staff support to the South Central Workforce Investment Board member’s deliberations/decisions.
c. Create and sustain initiatives to systematically build the pipeline of entry level workers for clusters or entire economy.
For more information regarding the Office of Workforce Development, please contact Ellie Lamison.
History of The Office of Workforce Development
YCEDC’s Office of Workforce Development (OWD) was officially launched in March 2008. The OWD was endorsed by YCEDC, YorkCounts, Manufacturer’s Association of South Central PA (MASCPA) and York County Alliance for Learning (YCAL). The creation of the OWD was recommended following a number of studies of workforce development resources in York County.
The first study, funded by grant from Senator Waugh’s office, looked deeper at a recommendation by YorkCounts for an Office of Workforce in York County. Another significant study completed in 2006 was the Industry Cluster Analysis Update. The Cluster Analysis helped YCEDC gain insight into the relationships between industry employment, industry clusters and land use planning. In 2007, YCEDC released the Workforce Development Study. Building on efforts of YorkCounts, the study outlined a number of implementation strategies including the development of high quality workforce development programs. As a result of these studies, a number of York County organizations supported the idea of the Office of Workforce Development.
YCEDC provides staff and support for the OWD to facilitate various workforce programs. The OWD has become the facilitator for workforce development in York County. The OWD works to attract and retain skilled professionals as well as build collaboration between the business and education communities to better prepare our future workforce. The OWD recognizes that a diverse and talented labor pool is vital for growing York County’s innovative economy and a vibrant community.
2010
- Formed the Career Pathways/STEM Leadership Team. Leadership Team members include Tom Scholles of UTZ; Gregg Manning of Komax; Dr. Stewart Weinberg, the Dallastown School District Superintendent; Lisa Dennis, the School to Work Coordinator from South Western School District; and Pam Royer, a retired school to work coordinator.
- Ellie Lamison named Manager, Office of Workforce Development.
- Completion of “Introduction to Manufacturing Program” in the Hanover Area.
2009
- Received grant from South Central Workforce Investment Board to hire consultants for Career Pathways/STEM initiative program development.
- Launched a countywide coalition of schools, businesses and industry partners in order to reform education system around Pathways/STEM model.
- Completed “Career Pathways/ Science, Technology, Engineering, Math Proposal: Building a Life-Long Learning Resource for York County” which will serve as guide for future progress on the initiative.
- Worked with Community Progress Council (CPC) and CareerLink to offer more direct services in York City.
- Continued to be engaged in the development of an Advanced Technology Center.
- Formalized partnership with YCAL through a Memorandum of Understanding.
- Continued to work with Harley Davidson and Triumph Corp. Transition Teams to assist dislocated workers through programs such as monthly newsletters and seminar series.
- Ellie Lamison took over OWD responsibilities following resignation of Sean London.
2008
- YCEDC formally launched the OWD.
- Sean London joined staff as VP, Workforce Development.
- Organized the “Attracting the Future Workforce” (AWF) committee to develop a plan to inform students about benefits of manufacturing careers.
- Formed Harley Davidson Transition Team to assist all dislocated HD employees in seeking new employment, and to share information on community resources.
- Business Facilities magazine named Pennsylvania’s workforce 5th most educated in the nation for 2007.
2007
- YCEDC completed the Workforce Development Study.
2006
- YCEDC completed two studies related to workforce development: a study of existing York County resources and the Industry Cluster Analysis Update.
