Joseph W. Cepparulo

This Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Regional Plan for The Southeast Pennsylvania Workforce Development Planning Region aims to align programmatic planning with WIOA priorities by analyzing economic and workforce conditions to support businesses and the labor force. Key strategic goals include expanding apprenticeship and career/technical education, engaging employers through sector strategies, increasing opportunities for youth, improving the PA CareerLink® system, remediating barriers to employment, and addressing workforce shortages in critical industries. The plan seeks to foster economic growth, enhance workforce readiness, and cultivate a highly skilled labor force through collaborative partnerships.

This Regional Plan outlines the strategic direction for the Southeast Pennsylvania Workforce Development Planning Region to align programmatic planning with Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) priorities for fiscal years 2025-2028. It provides a comprehensive analysis of current and projected economic and workforce conditions, establishing goals to support the region's businesses and labor force. Key strategic pillars include expanding apprenticeship and career technical education, engaging employers through sector strategies, increasing youth work-based learning opportunities, continuously improving the PA CareerLink® system, remediating employment barriers, and addressing critical industry workforce shortages. The plan aims to strengthen the workforce development system, enhance education and training pathways, and facilitate transitions to higher-wage jobs.

This document serves as the official approval for the Southeast Region's Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Program Year 2025-2028 Regional Plan. Developed by the Montgomery County Workforce Development Board and its staff, this plan outlines a strategic approach for workforce development across multiple local areas, including Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties. Its primary objective is to align regional workforce initiatives with both federal WIOA guidelines and the Commonwealth's WIOA Combined State Plan, fostering coordinated efforts in workforce development for the specified program years.

The Bucks County Workforce Development Board's WIOA Local Plan for 2025-2028 outlines a strategic and operational roadmap to align the workforce system with regional economic needs. Key priorities include enhancing business engagement, developing a future-ready workforce through aligned training and education, supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs, expanding access for individuals with employment barriers, and promoting work-based learning opportunities. The plan aims to cultivate a dynamic, globally competitive workforce that adapts to evolving industry demands.

The agenda for the meeting included a call to order, pledge of allegiance, and public comment sessions. Key discussion items were the Executive Director's Report, a presentation of the BCPC 2022 Annual Report by the Director of Planning Services, reviews under Act 247 for the current date, and scheduled Old Business and New Business items. The meeting agenda also noted the availability of hybrid in-person/Webex participation methods and set deadlines for submitting public comments related to the meeting materials.