Partnership for Career Development, 55 Miller Street, Enola, PA (2026)

06/15/2026

Big news for workforce development in South Central Pennsylvania!

Partnership for Career Development (PCD) is proud to announce that we have officially been approved as an Educational Improvement Organization (EIO) through Pennsylvania's Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program.
As part of our initial approval, ten PCD programs are now eligible to receive EITC-supported contributions from participating businesses. This marks an important milestone in expanding support for career awareness and preparation initiatives throughout our region.

These newly approved programs include:
• Architecture, Construction & Engineering (ACE)
• Create, Make & Take (Manufacturing)
• Finance & Accounting
• Girls in STEM
• Entrepreneur "Start-Up"
• Health & Wellness
• Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources
• Law & Corrections
• Nonprofits & Human Resources
• Supply Chain & Logistics

This is just the beginning. PCD plans to continue pursuing EITC eligibility for additional programs in future application cycles, with the goal of expanding opportunities for businesses to invest in even more high-impact career exploration and workforce development experiences for students.

For more than 30 years, PCD has connected education, business, and community partners to help students discover career possibilities and prepare for their future. EITC approval provides another powerful tool for employers to support that mission while helping develop tomorrow's workforce.

Students can't dream about careers they don't know about.

06/09/2026

What happens when the jobs of tomorrow are being reshaped faster than our education and workforce systems can adapt?

Artificial Intelligence is no longer a future conversation, it's a workforce conversation happening right now.

From the careers students pursue, to the skills employers seek, to the way educators prepare young people for success, AI is rapidly changing the landscape. Yet many questions remain.

That's why the Cradle to Career Alliance is dedicating our June meeting to a discussion titled:
Collective Intelligence: Thinking Together About AI and the Future Workforce

This won't be a presentation filled with easy answers. Instead, we'll bring together educators, workforce professionals, employers, economic development leaders, and community partners to share perspectives, ask important questions, and explore what AI means for the future of work in our region.

As Alliance members, we each see a different piece of the puzzle. Together, we can build a deeper understanding of how AI is impacting careers, education, workforce development, and the opportunities available to the next generation.

When: Wednesday June 17 - 8:45–9:45 AM (Networking begins at 8:15 AM)
Where: Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC

The talent pipeline won't build itself. Be part of the conversation.

https://business.harrisburgregionalchamber.org/chambereventscalendar/Details/cradle-to-career-alliance-meeting-1732166?sourceTypeId=Website

06/07/2026

A huge shoutout to The Manufacturers' Association for hosting a truly spectacular 120th Annual Event! Check out the awesome challenge coin!

Here's a snippet from the press release of the event: For 120 years, this organization has been a champion for manufacturing, workforce development, and the businesses that power our regional economy. The evening was a fitting celebration of that legacy, bringing together manufacturers, industry leaders, workforce partners, educators, and community supporters from across South Central Pennsylvania.

From recognizing outstanding manufacturers, innovators, community investors, and workforce partners to honoring the rich history that helped shape our region, the event showcased the strength and impact of manufacturing in Pennsylvania.

The keynote conversation with retired Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell delivered a powerful message about leadership, resilience, teamwork, and perseverance, qualities that resonate deeply with manufacturers and workforce leaders alike.

As someone who works every day to help students discover careers and connect with employers, I left even more convinced that manufacturing remains one of Pennsylvania's greatest opportunities, not only for economic growth but for building meaningful career pathways for the next generation.

Thank you to Tom Palisin and the entire Manufacturers' Association team for an outstanding evening and for your continued commitment to strengthening our workforce, supporting employers, and ensuring that manufacturing remains a driving force in our region's future.

06/07/2026

Recently, I had the pleasure of attending the graduation ceremony for Leadership Harrisburg Area. As always, the room was filled to capacity with graduates, family members, friends, colleagues, and supporters all gathered to celebrate leadership, service, and community impact.

Over the years, I've had the privilege of participating in both the Executive Leadership Series and the Servant Leadership Series, experiences that have expanded my perspective, strengthened connections, and deepened my commitment to serving our region.

This year's graduation was especially meaningful for me. The Partnership for Career Development (PCD) was fortunate to partner with a Community Leadership Series team that dedicated their time, talent, and expertise to helping us develop outreach materials and awareness strategies for our newest initiative: PCD Career Connect.

PCD Career Connect was created to help bridge the gap between schools and employers by connecting students to meaningful work-based learning opportunities and helping businesses engage with the workforce of tomorrow.

A sincere thank you to the Community Leadership Series team for their support and commitment to strengthening career awareness and workforce development in South Central Pennsylvania.

If your organization offers work-based learning opportunities or if you would like to become a program facilitator and share your career journey, industry knowledge, or workplace experiences with students, we would love to connect with you.

Together, we can help students discover the opportunities that exist right here in our communities and build stronger pathways to Pennsylvania's future workforce.

Leadership Harrisburg Area

06/05/2026

This week, the Partnership for Career Development (PCD) had the privilege of showcasing our work in the Pennsylvania Capitol Rotunda, bringing awareness to an often-overlooked part of workforce development: Pennsylvania's remaining Career Awareness & Preparation intermediaries.

These organizations were originally established through the landmark 1994 Schools-to-Work Opportunities Act and have spent decades building connections between education, business, industry, workforce partners, and communities. While the original federal funding disappeared nearly 25 years ago, the need for this work has only grown.

Today, a small number of intermediaries continue to serve students, schools, and employers across Pennsylvania, helping young people discover careers, engage with local industry, and make informed decisions about their futures. Yet most do so without dedicated state investment.

I was honored to be joined throughout the day by Todd Morris of Pennoni, Steve Hassinger of Central Penn College, and Emily Lupi of Harrisburg University, whose support reflects the importance of collaboration among education, industry, and community partners.

I was also grateful for the opportunity to meet with Justin Fleming, whose energy and support for workforce development initiatives continue to make a difference.

A special thank you to Anne Lauritzen for her assistance throughout the day and for helping make this effort possible.

The message we brought to the Capitol was simple:

If Pennsylvania wants a strong future workforce, we must invest not only in training and recruitment, but also in helping students discover careers, connect with employers, and understand the opportunities available in their own communities.

Career awareness isn't a luxury. It's the foundation of workforce development.

06/05/2026

Funding with Purpose. Impact with Potential.

The Partnership for Career Development (PCD) is honored to receive a $5,000 grant award from the University Center at Harrisburg Grant Opportunity, through The Foundation for Enhancing Communities.

This investment will provide a portion of the much-needed support for our upcoming Career Connections: Architecture, Construction & Engineering program, helping students explore the incredible career opportunities that shape the communities where we live, work, and grow.

From architects and engineers to skilled trades professionals, project managers, surveyors, designers, and countless other careers, this industry offers pathways that are critical to Pennsylvania's future workforce. Yet many students remain unaware of the breadth of opportunities available.
Through Career Connections, students will engage directly with industry professionals, gain firsthand insight into career pathways, and better understand the education, training, and skills needed to succeed.

We are grateful to The Foundation for Enhancing Communities (TFEC) and the University Center at Harrisburg for investing in career awareness and preparation. Partnerships like these help bridge the gap between education and workforce needs while inspiring the next generation of talent.

Together, we're building more than awareness, we're helping build Pennsylvania's future workforce.

05/01/2026

PCD's CAP Student Showcase was a truly inspiring way to round out the PCD program year! Every year I wonder how can it possibly get any better. Well, this year showed me how.

The gorgeous Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania Stewart Hall was packed to capacity and the Ship team was a well-oiled machine. We had a wonderful surprise visit from Shippensburg President Dr. Charles E. Patterson!

Students at displays & speakers, who were identified by participating schools, and the Allen D. Quirk Scholarship winners, who were chosen by an independent panel of judges (PCD awarded $10,000 in scholarships this year!) - were glowing! They were all truly magnificent.

The PCD Board of Directors was there in force! I am so lucky to have such a great support team!

We were honored to welcome Cumberland County, PA Commissioner Jean Foschi who is always a delight and a wonderful supporter of PCD and pipeline workforce development.

I really can’t thank the many people involved nearly enough - these photo collages hardly do the event justice - but enjoy!

Finally, I’d like to say thank you to the event sponsors who made the event possible through their generous sponsorship: The Manufacturers' Association, Pennoni, UPMC, Members 1st Federal Credit Union, Emerge Education, LLC, Pyramid Construction Services, LLC, The Pennsylvania College of Technology, and three anonymous donors.

PCD’s year-end impact data was provided as a sneak peek to attendees - watch for future posts. And we received some amazing news that it's looking like an additional school district will be joining us in the fall, meaning that PCD will be serving an additional county for a total of FIVE.

PCD is growing & thankful for those who've been with us for so many years, and those who are now coming to the table, supporting Career Awareness & Preparation and our future workforce in PA.
The Manufacturers' Association PA Department of Labor & Industry Pennsylvania Department of Environmental ProtectionPennsylvania Department of Education IEC Pennsylvania

04/23/2026

What an energizing day at the Cradle to Career Alliance Roadmap & Reflections meeting!

The Cradle to Career Alliance is a collective impact model that brings together voices from across sectors; education, business & industry, workforce, postsecondary, community organizations, and more to strengthen Career Awareness & Preparation (CAP) opportunities for students across South Central Pennsylvania.

Today, we took time to reflect on how far we’ve come since our relaunch in 2022, celebrating meaningful progress, shared goals achieved, and the power of collaboration through a fully volunteer Alliance. Even more exciting, we looked ahead at what’s next and how we can continue to expand this critical work for our region’s students, schools, and future workforce.

Our group today (a bunch are in this photo) included representation from k12 education (general ed & special needs), business/industry, community, postsecondary education & training, and government, truly representing the core of the model.

A heartfelt thank you to Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC for their continued support, and to our additional founding partners: the Capital Area Intermediate Unit and the York County Alliance for Learning for helping launch and grow this important movement.

The momentum is real. The mission matters. And the best is still ahead.

Watch for next month’s meeting. We’d love for you to be part of the conversation.

04/22/2026

What an amazing day! I love Leadership Academy - it’s one full day each year I get to spend with some of the very best school personnel in our region, traveling to sites across the midstate and introducing new career pathways. This year, 11 of PCD’s participating schools were represented by key staff who work directly in career development.

A huge thank you to our hosts for this year’s theme: Defense Industry, in support of the TIDE initiative.

We started at Daisy Data Displays, where participants were amazed by the clean, quiet workspaces where displays are built and repaired for everything from fast food to military vehicles. Their products are built to handle pressure—and so was their hospitality. Thanks for the treats!

Next stop: RETTEW, where we learned what OSHA compliance really means. With 10 locations across PA and the Northeast, they help build safety systems that keep workers safe every day. Thank you for the warm welcome!

We wrapped up in York at Precision Custom Components, LLC, where I had to contain my inner geek touring the facility that manufactures critical components for the US Navy’s nuclear submarines. The scale of their work is almost impossible to imagine. One example compared the Washington Monument to the Columbia sub - and it looked like a toothpick.

Along the way, our friends at The Manufacturers' Association reminded us loud and clear: South Central PA is home to more than 500 defense suppliers, and Pennsylvania supports 25% of the entire U.S. Defense Industrial Base.

And that Columbia Class submarine I mentioned? Pennsylvania is the #1 critical supplier in the nation.

What a day of learning, pride, and perspective.

RETTEW Precision Custom Components

04/20/2026

🚨 Final Reminder: This Week is Your Opportunity to Help Shape What Comes Next.

If you’ve ever said students need more direction… employers need stronger talent pipelines… schools can’t do this alone… or our region must work together better—this is your opportunity to move from conversation to action.
This week, the Cradle to Career Alliance Roadmap & Reflections Meeting brings together leaders who believe that collective impact creates real results.

This is where ideas become partnerships.
This is where challenges become solutions.
This is where futures begin.

We need voices from education, business, workforce, community, and beyond—because no single organization can solve workforce readiness alone.

Together, we are better. Together, we are stronger. Together, we can make real change.

📍 Capital Area Intermediate Unit – Enola, PA
📅 Wednesday, April 22, 2026
⏰ 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM
👉 Register now through the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC website:
https://business.harrisburgregionalchamber.org/chambereventscalendar/Details/cradle-to-career-alliance-roadmap-and-reflections-1695098?sourceTypeId=Website

If you care about the future workforce, student opportunity, and regional success, be in the room.

Partnership for Career Development

06/15/2026

06/09/2026

06/07/2026

06/07/2026

06/05/2026

06/05/2026

05/01/2026

04/23/2026

04/22/2026

04/20/2026

Address

Website

Alerts

Contact The Organization

Shortcuts

Share

Category