The workforce is an area of concern for industry stakeholders in Pennsylvania, just as it is nationwide. PACA, however, has taken steps to address worker shortages.
PACA’s Emerging Leaders Academy (PELA) has been a success after two years, association leaders say. PELA is a 10-month hybrid program that’s the brainchild of PACA’s Young Leaders Development Group (YLDG).
PELA had 19 graduates in 2022, and 22 applicants have already applied to enroll in 2023.
YLDG includes a conference and other opportunities focused on networking and education, leaning on the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association’s Young Leaders program for inspiration.
“We’ve seen even multinationals with their own leadership academies see the benefits of having their staff involved with PELA,” Vlahos says. “It’s not just for the mom-and-pop businesses who don’t have those resources. I think that’s the one area with the 2022 class where I’m very pleased.”
Engaging youth is a must for the industry, Detwiler adds.
“The whole workforce is important,” he says. “In the next three to five years, we’re anticipating a wave of retirements. There’s resiliency in our industry, of course, as two years ago we survived a global pandemic and we’ve seen crazy inflationary pressures. We kind of find a way to block and tackle and do work safely. It’s a neat trait of our industry.”
But it’s a trait, like many others, that must be communicated so producers can prosper long term. PACA is taking unique paths today to make connections, creating a TikTok account and establishing a Women in PACA group to branch out.
“Our industry is changing in a lot of ways,” Vlahos says. “Our members are adapting to the changes for our industry and association to thrive.”
