Over the past 15 years, employment in manufacturing in Lehigh Valley, PA, has grown at three times the national rate, bucking the narrative that U.S. manufacturing is in decline. In the Lehigh Valley, it’s thriving.
How is this possible? In short, leaders have deliberately focused on developing the manufacturing workforce to continue the region’s proud history of making things in America by meeting the evolving needs of today’s manufacturers.
Currently, manufacturing generates nearly $9bn in economic output and accounts for 16% of the Lehigh Valley’s GDP, well above the national average of 11%. Global brands made in the Lehigh Valley include Crayola crayons, Mack Trucks, Martin Guitars, and Broadcom semiconductors.
To spur manufacturing growth, a region must be supported by a strong, aligned workforce pipeline. This is a major reason the Lehigh Valley was recently named Site Selection Magazine’s top mid-sized U.S. market for economic development. The world’s largest pharmaceutical manufacturer, Eli Lilly and Company, also cited workforce directly in its decision to choose the Lehigh Valley from more than 300 competing locations for its new $3.5bn manufacturing facility.
To meet the needs of companies that are new to the market, like Lilly, as well as existing, growing companies, the Lehigh Valley works in coalitions of employers, educators, and other community organizations to build a talent pipeline that starts early and stays closely aligned with employer needs.
In middle school, programs like “What’s So Cool About Manufacturing,” created by the Manufacturers Resource Center, offer a gateway into manufacturing by connecting students with local manufacturers and showcasing both their community impact and the range of careers available.
By high school, that training becomes hands-on. The Bethlehem Area School District’s pre-apprenticeship program, developed with input from local manufacturers, gives students experience with quality control, measurement, 3D printing, and chemical analysis. The program allows students to explore manufacturing careers before advancing into more specialized training. Upon graduation, students hold OSHA 10 and CPR certifications and have direct connections to industrial employers.
At the college level, that alignment becomes even more targeted. A new specialised science and technology lab at Lehigh Carbon Community College is being built to train students for roles in pharmaceutical manufacturing, including at the new Lilly facility. The lab will feature state-of-the-art equipment designed to mirror the advanced manufacturing environments.
Another key component of the Lehigh Valley’s manufacturing talent pipeline strategy is the Industrial Training and Education Consortium (iTEC). This collaborative apprenticeship program is a nonprofit corporation established by a group of Lehigh Valley manufacturers to provide industrial skills training, in partnership with local schools, colleges, universities, and community organizations, with support from the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation.
The Lehigh Valley’s focus on early engagement, employer input, and clear pathways into manufacturing roles has created a workforce development model built for the needs of today’s manufacturers ensuring their success now and into the future.
About the author
Karianne Gelinas is Vice President of Talent Strategies, Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation.
Karianne leads LVEDC’s regional talent strategies efforts that fortify the Lehigh Valley’s talent pipeline and foster regional economic success. She is responsible for forging and strengthening partnerships across businesses, educational institutions, and other community organizations; conducting research; and building data-driven strategies that address specific talent needs. She joined LVEDC in 2017 after previously working at Lehigh Carbon Community College, most recently as Assistant Director of Literacy and Job Training. Karianne is board chair of Communities in Schools of Eastern PA and a board member of the Learning Inclusion Networking Community (LINC) and of the Workforce Board Lehigh Valley.
Karianne has a Master in Education with a focus in Curriculum and Instruction from Arizona State University, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Cognitive Science from Vassar College.
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