Working the Trades: Building tomorrow’s workforce today

WILKES-BARRE — Lindsay Griffin-Boylan, President and CEO at the Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber, said when the talk centers on economic development, it often focuses on business attraction, infrastructure, and investment.

“But at the heart of every thriving economy is something even more essential — people,” Griffin-Boylan said. “The talent, skill, and passion of our workforce are what ultimately drive our region’s growth and attract employers to make the Greater Wyoming Valley their home.”

And while higher education remains a powerful pathway, Griffin-Boylan said she and her team know that success doesn’t come in a single form.

“The trades — from construction and manufacturing to welding, electrical, and mechanical work — are not only vital career options, they’re a critical part of how we recruit and retain businesses in our community,” Griffin-Boylan said.

A pipeline employers can count on

Griffin-Boylan said when companies consider where to locate or expand, their main priority is access to a skilled workforce.

To that end, she said the Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber’s collaboration with local trade schools, Luzerne County Community College, Career and Technical Centers, and workforce development organizations through Luzerne Learns to Work ensures that the trades remain a vibrant and respected career path.

“The goal of this program is to give employers confidence that they’ll find not only the right talent, but also a community investing in its people — a place where workforce development is proactive, not reactive,” Griffin-Boylan said.

Luzerne learns to work: Preparing students early

Griffin-Boylan said the Luzerne Learns to Work program is a collaborative, county-wide effort that introduces students to career pathways as early as 9th grade.

“This innovative program gives Luzerne County students free access to learning platforms along with direct exposure to local employers through work-based learning experiences and career exploration and aligns all of our education partners,” Griffin-Boylan said. “By connecting education, industry, and opportunity, Luzerne Learns to Work helps students envision futures in high-demand industries — including the trades — and gives employers a chance to help shape their own future workforce.”

Griffin-Boylan said the program is available to all Luzerne County school districts and provides scholarships, internships, and classroom-to-career connections.

“For businesses, this is not just a workforce pipeline — it’s a chance to invest directly in the next generation of builders, makers, and innovators,” she said.

Higher education and hands-on learning

At the Chamber, Griffin-Boylan said they believe that higher education and the trades don’t compete — they complement one another.

“The regional economy depends on both advanced degrees and applied skills,” Griffin-Boylan said. “From apprenticeships and certification programs to four-year degrees and graduate study, every pathway helps build the workforce of the future.”

Griffin-Boylan added, By aligning these pathways and celebrating the trades as equal contributors to our economic story, we are creating a holistic ecosystem where every student can find their purpose and every employer can find the people they need.”

Building the future together

Griffin-Boylan said every new investment, every job created, and every business expansion begins with people ready to work, to lead, and to build. She said programs like Luzerne Learns to Work ensure that Luzerne County isn’t just ready for today’s workforce challenges, but is also preparing for tomorrow’s opportunities.

“The trades are not only a part of our heritage — they are the blueprint for our future,” Griffin-Boylan said. “And through the partnerships we continue to build, we’re showing employers that in the Greater Wyoming Valley, the foundation for success is already being laid — one student, one skill, and one opportunity at a time.”