NANTICOKE — Luzerne County Community College President John Yudichak on Wednesday praised the leadership of Luke Bernstein, President and CEO of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, and he reaffirmed LCCC’s commitment to supporting regional economic growth through higher education and workforce innovation.
“The college stands ready to partner with the PA Chamber in building a world-class workforce to drive and sustain economic growth throughout Pennsylvania,” Yudichak said. “Together, we are laying the foundation for a stronger, more resilient economy that uplifts every corner of the Commonwealth.”
Bernstein, a NEPA native, hosted a regional Government Affairs Roundtable at LCCC in partnership with local leaders and business stakeholders.
The event brought together key figures from the public and private sectors for a candid discussion on the legislative landscape, economic development opportunities, workforce challenges and business investment trends across Northeast Pennsylvania.
Northeast Pennsylvania legislators served on the panel: Sen. Lisa Baker, R-Lehman Township; Sen. Dave Argall, R-Pottsville; Sen. Linda Schlegel Culver, R-Northampton; Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Wilkes-Barre; Rep. Alec Ryncavage, R-Hanover Township; Rep. Dane Watro, R-Hazleton; Rep. Jamie Walsh, R-Ross Township; and Rep. Jim Haddock, D-Pittston Township.
The roundtable was held in LCCC’s Educational Conference Center.
In his opening remarks, Yudichak said recent higher education reforms, like the passage of the College Affordability and Transparency Act, have empowered LCCC to partner with Commonwealth University to address workforce shortages in the region through innovative partnerships.
“Like the TEACH in NEPA Project, that will deliver a four-year teaching degree at the college’s Hazleton Center for less than $35,000,” Yudichak said. “The college is currently expanding its partnership with Commonwealth University to address additional work force shortages in the health care industry and the criminal justice profession.”
Yudichak also touted the Dual Credit Innovation Grant that inspired the creation of the LCCC Career & Technology Academy. The Academy is a partnership with the Hazleton Career Center, the Wilkes-Barre Career CTC, and the West Side CTC that will provide Luzerne County’s 2,000 CTC high school students a clear pathway to a post-secondary credential in the college’s trade and advance technology programs while they are still in high school.
“LCCC recently received a $1 million dual credit innovation grant from the PDE and a $100,000 scholarship from local businessman, Bill Rinaldi, as a result students will pay no tuition to attend the LCCC Career & Technology Academy over the next two years,” Yudichak said.
He said LCCC is responding to historic economic development announcements that detail the billions of dollars being invested in hyperscale data center development across Pennsylvania. He said LCCC is leading collaborative efforts to build a statewide Technology and Trade Workforce Consortium through the PA Commission on Community Colleges.
“Partnerships, collaborations, and innovations are driving everything we do at LCCC,” Yudichak said. “It is in exciting time here at the college and an exciting time in PA — rest assured LCCC is grateful for the support of its sponsors, Luzerne County and the Commonwealth of PA, and we are determined to fulfill our mission as a student-centered community college dedicated to student success and positive community impact.”
Bernstein thanked LCCC for hosting the event and he praised the college’s forward-thinking approach.
“It’s inspiring to see a college so aligned with the needs of its community and so determined to be a part of the solution,” Bernstein said. “LCCC is not just educating students — it’s helping to reimagine how Pennsylvania competes in a 21st-century economy.”
The roundtable served as a forum for candid dialogue on legislation, regulation and policy proposals that impact businesses and workers across Luzerne County and the broader NEPA region. Topics included workforce shortages, dual-enrollment funding, regional infrastructure investment, child care, natural gas development, education, and how to accelerate public-private partnerships for sustainable economic growth.
“Partnerships, collaborations and innovations are driving everything we do at LCCC,” Yudichak said. “It is an exciting time here at the college — and across Pennsylvania. Together with the PA Chamber, we are determined to build a brighter future.”
Lindsay Griffin-Boylan, President/CEO of the Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber, said, “Today is about working together to find solutions to create a better future for NEPA.”
Bernstein added, “It’s time to put politics aside to grow jobs and grow Pennsylvania’s economy.”
Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
