The Lehigh Valley is a hotbed for talent competition. Whether you’re in healthcare, construction, energy, or life sciences, you know that hiring and retaining top talent is what sets your business apart.
A shortage of workers is a result of broad trends that show no signs of slowing anytime soon, such as an aging labor force and technological disruptions. Pennsylvania is one of 11 states where adults over 65 now outnumber children, a demographic shift that reduces labor supply and increases demand for healthcare services. There are also sector-specific challenges like healthcare burnout and education attrition, in which “great resignation” effects linger. In agriculture, a critical industry in Pennsylvania, the average U.S. farm industry operator is 58 years old, and reliance on H-2 visa workers has surged.
Our region currently experiences low unemployment, hovering around 3.8%, and has a workforce projected to grow from 345,000 to 430,000 over the next decade. That growth will intensify the competition for top talent, making workforce resilience a business-critical priority.
This competition for talent is playing out in several ways.
- Workers are seeking higher compensation
- Workers are demanding increased flexibility in where they work.
- Workers are less likely to relocate for a job.
- Benefits and perks matter.
What can leaders do to ensure that their workforce is resilient to impending change? The people who power these industries are experiencing disruption, and the choices we make now will determine whether our communities remain resilient and competitive.
Today vs. Tomorrow
Today, our workforce appears strong, despite challenges. Hospitals keep their doors open with overtime and traveling nurses. Manufacturers run training programs to upskill employees. Construction crews push through backlogs with skeleton teams. Farmers rely on seasonal labor to keep crops in the ground.
But tomorrow could look very different if communities do not act. Longer wait times for healthcare, stalled infrastructure projects, delayed manufacturing investments, and farm consolidations could all undermine the economic vitality of our region. The risk is a Lehigh Valley with fewer opportunities for both businesses and families.
A Workforce Resilience Agenda
Business leaders play a critical role in shaping a resilient future. Four priorities rise to the top:
- Grow talent locally. Expand dual-enrollment programs, apprenticeships, and on-the-job training linked directly to employers.
- Retain experienced workers. Offer flexible roles, create mentoring opportunities, and institute phased retirement options to preserve institutional knowledge.
- Reduce barriers to participation. Invest in childcare and transportation solutions, and work collaboratively across industries to address systemic barriers to workforce participation.
- Support adaptation. From automation in agriculture to AI in healthcare, leaders can invest in helping workers adapt alongside new technology.
Resilience Results in Strong Communities
Resilience is not just about the individual worker or a single organization. Workforce resilience strengthens the fabric of our communities. When regions invest in the systems and structures that make the workforce more resilient, such as affordable childcare, new pathways to employment, and transportation infrastructure, everyone benefits. Families have stability, employers have the talent they need, and newcomers who relocate here feel a genuine sense of belonging. At LINC, we believe building workforce resilience and strong communities are inseparable goals. When people feel welcome and rooted, they contribute more fully, and our entire region grows stronger together.
LINC is a Lehigh Valley-based nonprofit that envisions communities and workplaces where everyone feels welcome, gets rooted, and thrives. LINC partners with employers to attract and retain talent from diverse backgrounds from all over the world. To learn more, visit www.linc-lv.org.
