A need to rethink how we view job training

The May 29 op-ed by Tom Melcher and Morgan O’Brien, “Finding Common Cause: Pennsylvania Must Seize This Opportunity for Economic Revitalization,” was both timely and profound.

We welcome their call to embrace vocational training — a critical component of a robust regional economy we have supported for more than two decades.

The challenges faced by manufacturers for skilled entry-level workers has always been tough and now has been compounded by the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent temporary shut-downs of many companies.

Through it all, however, manufacturers have done an exceptional job of retooling to meet critical medical device needs, reorganizing and rethinking how work is accomplished, and planning to meet customer needs while keeping their workers and work environment safe upon reopening.

As unemployment and displaced worker numbers continue to rise, the need to retrain this population will be the solution to the growing demand for manufacturing workers. These jobs offer sustainable career opportunities while enabling manufacturers to recover and grow into the future.

Let’s continue to rethink how we view training. While the skilled crafts will still require hands-on training, our industry must also utilize new technologies to offer online and remote training options. For example, during the past two months, online courses have continued during our temporary closure to help trainees keep pace with their skills development.

Above all, all people must have the opportunities to train, learn and secure jobs, ensuring that individuals, families, communities, and this region will see prosperity for all.

New Century Careers remains committed to advancing this goal!

NEIL A. ASHBAUGH

President/CEO New Century Careers

South Side