LCCC Vice President of Academic Affairs Russ Bigus, left, speaks during a news conference. LCCC President John Yudichak is seated at right.
Submitted Photo
O’Brien
NANTICOKE — Dr. Russ Bigus, vice president of academic affairs at Luzerne County Community College, said the college’s academic and workforce programs are designed to prepare students for immediate employment, while supporting long-term career growth.
“Luzerne County Community College is committed to providing affordable, accessible, and career-focused education that leads directly to employment opportunities,” Bigus said. “Our academic and workforce training programs equip students with the skills employers need today, while creating pathways to long-term career advancement.
“Whether through a certificate, micro-credential, apprenticeship, or degree program, our students are gaining access to high-wage, high-demand careers that strengthen both their futures and the regional economy.”
LCCC President John Yudichak said the college is forging innovative partnerships to strengthen its commitment to building the region’s first skilled trade educational ecosystem through PAWorks — a statewide workforce initiative led by Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges — that fosters collaboration among Pennsylvania’s 15 community colleges to address the growing demand for skilled trade professionals across a host of industries from the technology and energy sectors to the construction and healthcare sectors of the Pennsylvania economy.
• The Pennsylvania Department of Education estimates that by 2030, Pennsylvania will need 300,000 skilled trade workers to fuel the state’s economy.
“Luzerne County Community College, through PAWorks, is a leading collaborator in building a first-in-the-nation skilled trade workforce development system that is integrating industry driven curriculums with private and public sector partnerships to effectively meet an unprecedented demand for skilled trade workers across all industry sectors,” Yudichak said.
PA Works is built on three strategic pillars:
• Career & Technology Academies that expand opportunities for career and technical education students to earn college credits and industry-recognized credentials while still enrolled in high school.
• Micro-credential Academies that provide short-term, stackable, industry-aligned credentials that enable students and working professionals to quickly gain skills and advance in high-demand careers.
• Construction & Building Pre-Apprenticeship Academies that prepare students for registered apprenticeship programs and careers in the skilled building and construction trades.
The PAWorks initiative, led by the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges, serves as a statewide strategy to strengthen workforce development partnerships among Pennsylvania’s community colleges, career and technical education centers, business and industry, labor organizations, and government agencies to meet the Commonwealth’s growing workforce needs.
Yudichak said community colleges are uniquely positioned to lead Pennsylvania’s workforce transformation because of their deep partnerships with local communities, career and technical education centers, employers, organized labor, chambers of commerce, and government agencies.
“Luzerne County Community College is the most cost-effective pathway to a post-secondary credential in the skilled and technical trades,” Yudichak said. “With the recent awarding of $2 million in Dual Credit Innovation Grants from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, LCCC’s new Career & Technology Academy is delivering unprecedented higher education opportunities to more than 4,000 of the region’s career and technical high school students who now have a direct pathway to a post-secondary certificate or degree at no cost to the student.”
In Northeastern Pennsylvania, Luzerne County Community College is collaborating with neighboring community colleges, career and technical centers, industry leaders, labor organizations, and employers to build a skilled workforce pipeline that supports emerging industries, advanced manufacturing, infrastructure development, and the rapidly expanding technology sector.
Kelly O’Brien, LCCC vice president of workforce development and government relations, emphasized the importance of workforce partnerships in addressing labor shortages.
“At Luzerne County Community College, we are committed to creating innovative pathways that connect students, job seekers, and employers,” O’Brien said. “Through initiatives such as PAWorks, apprenticeships, micro-credentials, and industry partnerships, we are helping to address workforce shortages while providing individuals with opportunities to secure family-sustaining careers in the skilled trades and other high-demand fields.”
Local journalism matters, and your support makes it possible. You can help sustain this work by making a donation or choosing one of our subscription options. Subscribers enjoy valuable benefits, including full access to our e-edition, a reduced ad experience on timesleader.com, and more.
Your support helps ensure independent, high-quality local news remains available today and for future generations. Thank you for standing with local journalism.
Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.