U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Dallas, joined business and education leaders for a roundtable discussion at Lackawanna College School of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Tunkhannock, highlighting their partnerships and previewing upcoming programs that will benefit students in high-demand careers. From left are George Stark, Cristine Clayton, Dr. Jill Murray, Rep. Dan Meuser, Brian Whitaker, and Eric Bednash.
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TUNKHANNOCK — U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser this week joined business and education leaders for a roundtable discussion at Lackawanna College School of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Tunkhannock, highlighting their partnerships and previewing upcoming programs that will benefit students in high-demand careers.
“The work that you all have done is setting an example for others,” said Meuser, R-Dallas. “I am very pleased to have the Marcellus Shale industry within my district and all its various partners. Skills development, workforce recruitment, and good wages lead to a thriving community. This is a model for the rest of the country.”
Meuser said the goal of bringing the leaders together was to discuss rural issues relating to education and workforce development.
Meuser was joined by Dr. Jill Murray, president of Lackawanna College; George Stark, director, external affairs for Coterra Energy; Cristine Clayton, CEO of Commonwealth Charitable Management; Ryan Stalker, commercial development representative, Williams Companies; Ben Whitaker, foreman, Coterra; and Eric Bednash, CEO of Rack Top Systems.
Also attending were Rick Wilbur, Tom Henry, and Ernie King, Wyoming County commissioners; Joe Peters, Wyoming County District Attorney; and Paul Dougherty, Tunkhannock Area School District superintendent.
The panel discussed the impact of programs the college has created in response to the job market in the region, allowing students to intern with businesses while in school, and receiving training that prepares them to enter and excel in the workforce.
In return, many businesses have become partners with the college, giving back to the PNG program and funding future programs that will benefit students.
Dr. Murray discussed the school’s vision to develop programs at the dawn of the natural gas industry reflecting what employers desired. Lackawanna College recently added a cyber security program, as well as an electric vehicle and advanced automotive technologies program. It will open its Center for Technology Innovation (CTI) this fall.
“We build the workforce necessary for today and essential for tomorrow,” Dr. Murray said.
Stark outlined the investment Coterra has made in the college, with the goal of hiring future employees who are prepared for available jobs.
“We know the talent that’s here and we want to work with them,” Stark said.
Whitaker, a graduate of Lackawanna College, described his journey through the employment ranks of Coterra to become a supervisor.
“Everything the school taught me about the industry makes sense,” Whittaker said. “That connection between Lackawanna and Coterra was very helpful.”
Meuser said part of the discussion was a program administered by Commonwealth Charitable Management that enables high school students the chance for dual enrollment in college, allowing them to earn credits and find a skill that matches them to the job market.
Clayton described how dual enrollment tuition funds from businesses participating in the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) helped thousands of students across Pennsylvania, but especially in Northeastern Pennsylvania. She said the funds can also be used for paying fees necessary to be tested to enter an occupation, leading to employment in fields that need workers.
“I feel we are raising the median income for our families,” Clayton said.
Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.