September 19, 2023
Creating Educational Pipelines to Prosperity
The House Republican Policy Committee traveled to the Poconos for a hearing held at Wallenpaupack High School to provide a platform for discussing the pressing need for Career and Technical Education (CTE) schools, particularly in Wayne and Pike Counties. The day’s hearing highlighted how CTE programs play a critical role in preparing students for in-demand careers, address workforce shortages, and reduce the burden of college debt. The testimony provided shed light on the challenges faced by the region and the promising future envisioned through the proposed plan for a long-awaited Career and Technical Center (CTC).
The testifiers that joined the Policy Committee were as follows:
Mary Beth Wood - Executive Director, Wayne Economic Development Corporation
Joann Hudak, Ed.D. - Chairperson of the Board, Wayne Pike Workforce Alliance
Keith Gunuskey - Superintendent, Wallenpaupack Area School District
Mary Beth Wood, representing the Wayne Economic Development Corporation, emphasized the urgent need for CTE schools in the Pocono region. She pointed out that as broadband internet access expands and new residents arrive there is a shortage of trained engineers and contractors to meet the workforce demands of the community, especially in the Manufacturing and Professional & Technical Services industries. Well-paying family-supporting careers await residents of Pennsylvania’s Northeast, but the available workforce is unprepared for these opportunities.
Mrs. Wood highlighted the declining labor force in Wayne County, primarily among those aged 25 to 54. Wayne County experienced a 12.5% decrease in the available labor force since 2008, largely driven by retirements, disability, and residents choosing to disengage from pursuing work. She noted that investing in CTE is essential to reverse this trend and prepare a skilled workforce for local industries. As of today, Wayne and Pike County still have NO career and technical center and only have access to college satellite campuses, which is not enough to meet the needs of their residents or the demands of industry.
“We need educational infrastructure to address the “people side” of economic development.”
Mary Beth Wood
Executive Director, Wayne Economic Development Corporation |
Joann Hudak, Chairperson of the Board for Wayne Pike Workforce Alliance, emphasized the need for postsecondary education and training outlets for both students and adults in Northeast Pennsylvania. She highlighted the employment challenges faced by women in the region. Women’s employment figures within the Poconos are jarring, as the most recent statistics show that women in the region today are employed to the same degree as their 1970 counterparts. This significant drop in female employment can be largely tied to COVID, as childcare related careers saw significant decline over the last two years.
Mrs. Hudak stressed the importance of a balanced educational approach, where technical certifications are as valued as advanced degrees. The necessity of attaining a college degree is not as strong as it was in the past, and ample opportunity awaits students and adults alike who choose to pursue a trade or refine their skills. For every advanced degree our society needs two bachelor’s degrees and seven technical certifications for efficient production and growth, which means that efforts to push all students towards a 4-year degree is not aligned with the career options available within the Commonwealth. The planned CTC, Hudak noted, will address this skills gap by being available to adults after 3:00 PM, facilitating education and career advancement for far more than just K-12 students.
“We know that we must build these pipelines for young people to achieve family-sustaining jobs.”
Joann Hudak
Chairperson of the Board, Wayne Pike Workforce Alliance |
Superintendent Keith Gunuskey from the Wallenpaupack Area School District presented a compelling case for CTE in Wayne and Pike Counties. He noted that these counties are among the last in Pennsylvania without Career and Technical Centers, despite efforts dating back to 1970. Gunuskey highlighted the significant distance students must currently travel for access to CTE programs, which limits options available to students and encourages dropping out of high school. Local school districts have gone above-and-beyond to supply CTE options for their students, but no single school can offer the capabilities of a dedicated CTC. Furthermore, students are hesitant to travel significant distances between schools for in-demand CTE opportunities if they must be in classes with students they don’t know and in a building that is not directly related to their home school district.
The proposed CTC plan, as presented by Gunuskey, has already undergone feasibility studies, site selections, and implementation phases – in short, the plan for a CTC has been ready-to-go for decades now. The proposed CTC will utilize existing facilities within the Wallenpaupack Area School District and three satellite campuses, making education accessible 24/7 to students and the public. The estimated cost for this initiative is $30,000,000 - $40,000,000, with the cost almost entirely aligning with the construction of a dedicated CTC facility. The planned CTC will offer a wide range of programs to both students and adults, including CDL certification, first responder training, nursing programs, and more. The major obstacle to the planned CTC is the cost, and Superintendent Gunuskey called upon the Policy Committee to share Wallenpaupack’s educational needs within the halls of the capitol.
“There is recognition that today’s skill-based economy demands technical training, and there is a will within the communities of Wayne and Pike Counties to address this demand at the highest level.”
Keith Gunuskey
Superintendent, Wallenpaupack Area School District |
The day’s hearing provided crucial insights into the need for CTE opportunities in the Pocono region. The perspectives of Mary Beth Wood, Joann Hudak, and Keith Gunuskey illuminated the challenges faced by the community and the promising future offered by the proposed CTE plan. With feasibility studies and organizational groundwork already laid, the final hurdle of funding remains. The Policy Committee learned that investing in CTE is not only a means to bridge workforce gaps but also a pathway to prosperity for the region, offering students and adults opportunities for meaningful, debt-free careers. The insights from this hearing shed light on the importance of CTE in meeting the needs of both students and industry, and the information shared with the Committee underscored the urgency of securing funding to turn this long-awaited vision into reality.