Economic Development and Education Penn State Worthington Scranton March 22, 2006

The Knowledge Based Economy “Today, the knowledge required to run the economy, which is far more complex than in our past, is both deeper and broader than ever before. We need to ensure that education in the United States, formal or otherwise, is supplying skills adequate for the effective functioning of our economy.” ---Alan Greenspan, Chairman of the Board of Governors of the US Federal Reserve System, the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce 2004 Annual Meeting, Omaha, February 20, 2004

General Skill Levels Required Source: U.S. Bureau of Census and Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, Center for Workforce Information and Analysis (Pennsylvania statewide)

Educational Attainment Source: U.S. Bureau of Census, Current Populati on Survey (CPS), Basic Pennsylvania Labor Force (Light Blue) and NE PA (Dark Blue)

The Aging Workforce Millions of Pennsylvanians Source: U.S. Bureau of Census, Current Population Survey, March Supplement; and PA Department of Labor & Industry, Center for Workforce Information & Analysis

Workforce Development Employment Economic DevelopmentEducation

Question: How can business and industry minimize the amount of training being conducted internally? Answer: Get involved in Business Education Partnerships

Best Practice Example Tobyhanna Army Depot Initiative –Tours for students and educators –Guest speakers in classrooms –Hands on activities onsite and in the classroom –Presentations to community groups –School Career Experience Program –Consortium Participation –College degrees offered onsite –And more……………

Susan Shaffer NEPA Alliance 1151 Oak St. Pittston, PA