Northeast PA Logistics & Transportation
Industry Partnership: People on the Move

A new website has been launched as part of a Public Image Campaign targeting the logistics and transportation industry. www.nepapeopleonthemove.org was created in response to the significant growth of the logistics and transportation industry in NEPA and the reported challenges of identifying, retaining, and training a qualified workforce.

The website is part of an overall image campaign which also included a Career Ladder Model, a SWOT Analysis, and a Training Needs Analysis which resulted in the development of two customized job training programs.

The public image campaign is one of the initiatives generated from the Northeast PA Logistics & Transportation Industry Partnership. The partnership is a regional initiative of the Luzerne/Schuylkill Workforce Investment Board, Inc. in collaboration with the Lackawanna, Pocono, and Northern Tier Workforce Investment Boards and supported and managed by the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry.

Over $800,000 was granted to the partnership as part of the Governor’s Job Ready PA Initiative. Training programs were created and have been used for 50 training projects at over 35 companies, with 800-plus employees upgrading their skills.

During development, the partnership turned to the Wadley Donavan Group to help conduct an industry analysis. The study highlighted six reasons why Northeast Pennsylvania works for the Logistics and Transportation industry, but that are also relevant to back office, manufacturing, and high tech operations.

A top advantage according to the study is location. Major east coast markets like New York City, Philadelphia, Boston, and New Jersey are within a short drive, and the immediate access to interstates 81, 80, 84, and 476 (the northeast extension of the turnpike) was cited as the area’s “backbone of commerce”.

Other reasons cited in the study include low operating costs, access to quality labor, incentives, and abundant land and building options. Another key finding was the availability of workforce training programs available at many of the two-year community and vocational colleges in the area.

“The Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber has played a critical role in the implementation of this regional industry partnership,” said Jane Ashton, director of Workforce Development at the Chamber. “We are proud to have attracted state-wide attention because of these efforts.”

Due to the success of this partnership, a second industry has been slated for focus. A formal network has been established to support the Food Processing segment of the region and has received $80,000 in support from the PA Department of Labor & Industry. The Partnership is currently conducting a Training Needs Analysis, Industry Analysis, Career Pathway Model, and a Wage & Benefits Survey that officials hope will result in similar success.

If you are interested in learning more, please visit www.nepapeopleonthemove.org or contact Jane Ashton, director of Workforce Development; at (570) 823-2101 or jashton@wilkes-barre.org.