I often hear leaders in the Lehigh Valley ask, “Where did all the talent go?” Instead, I’d flip that question and ask, “Why would talent want to live and work here?” With competition for talent expected to intensify over the next decade, every employer must have a strategy for making their workplace and the Lehigh Valley an appealing destination for the next generation of talent.
Several factors are contributing to a tighter job market. The primary drivers: more Baby Boomers are retiring and fewer young people are entering the workforce. By 2030, the global labor shortage is expected to reach 85 million unfilled jobs (Business Insider, 2025).
In the U.S., industries like finance, professional services, and leisure and hospitality are expected to face the most significant shortage of workers (U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 2024). Healthcare, projected to be the largest and fastest-growing industry over the next decade, is forecast to have a deficit of more than 100,000 workers in the U.S. by 2028 (Mercer).
Meanwhile, several important trends are reshaping the workforce.
- Immigration, typically a critical source of talent for American businesses, has slowed relative to the decade preceding the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Women, though a smaller share of the U.S. labor force, are outpacing men in entering the workforce, particularly in sectors like healthcare and education.
- The U.S. workforce is becoming more diverse overall, though underrepresentation persists in certain fields such as STEM.
At LINC, we have seen firsthand how these national trends impact local hiring across various industries like healthcare, manufacturing, education, and professional services.
So, what can employers do to prepare for the challenges ahead? Here are a few considerations.
- Showcase quality of life – Having a better quality of life was the most commonly reported “primary trigger” causing a relocation for talent in 2024 in DCI’s 2025 Talent Wars report. Your future employees who are considering moving want to know they can live within their means, rent/purchase a home, and access great healthcare in a safe environment. The Lehigh Valley offers this and more, and employers can showcase this clearly and consistently in recruitment efforts.
- Consider expanding paid family leave – Making Pennsylvania a more supportive place for workers with caregiving responsibilities, whether for children or aging parents, will be critical to attracting a growing share of the U.S. workforce and retaining talent.
- Champion immigration – Immigration remains vital to offsetting the decline in U.S.-born prime-age workers. The Lehigh Valley has been noteworthy in its ability to attract and retain workers who move here from across the United States and internationally. Let’s build on this momentum.
- Ensure inclusive access to upskilling – Many Lehigh Valley employers already partner with colleges and trade schools to train and reskill workers. Expanding these efforts can ensure that all workers can develop competitive skills to remain in the workforce and thrive.
These shifts in the labor market make the battle for talent more competitive than ever. For the Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas to win, we must be a place where people want to live, work, and build their futures.
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.
