Today, a hearing was held in Bethlehem to address the workforce challenges faced by Pennsylvania manufacturers. The event was organized by Rep. Ann Flood (R-Northampton) and the House Republican Policy Committee, chaired by Josh Kail (R-Beaver/Washington). The focus was on filling numerous family-sustaining jobs in the Lehigh Valley with skilled workers.
The hearing, titled "Manufacturing Momentum: Assembling PA’s Workforce," took place at Lehigh Heavy Forge Corporation, North America's last super-heavy forging plant. Testifiers included Michael Druckenmiller, vice president of Lehigh Heavy Forge; Blair Woodring, director of business development at Precision Custom Components; Nancy Dischinat, executive director of Workforce Board Lehigh Valley; and John Rhatigan, chairman of Marine Machinery Association.
Training and recruiting skilled workers were highlighted as primary concerns. Druckenmiller noted during his testimony that “If I could flip a switch and have access to a pool of qualified machinists, I could justify hiring 20 of them overnight…But there just are not enough of them out in the market today to do so.”
Flood emphasized the importance of manufacturing in the region's economy: “Manufacturing plays a vital role in the Lehigh Valley, contributing to 16% of our region’s GDP. There is no better time than now for Pennsylvania policymakers to find solutions to keep this industry thriving and to secure the Lehigh Valley as a destination for family-sustaining jobs in manufacturing.”
Kail added perspective on Pennsylvania's historical significance in manufacturing: “Manufacturers have helped to build America and to protect our great nation. Pennsylvania’s rich history is in great part because of the manufacturing industry,” he said. He stressed that revitalizing this industrial force is crucial for both state economic success and national security.
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