The takeaway from April’s Semi-Annual Member Meeting was clear: the work of connecting students to careers in this region is gaining real ground.
That’s the theme that emerged as dozens of LMMC manufacturers, educators and community partners gathered at the New Castle School of Trades for a morning of updates and honest conversation.
Students Can Only Pursue What They Know Exists
Much of the morning centered on the importance of early and consistent career exposure.
Linda Jaworski-Rapone from Lawrence County School-to-Work has built her entire approach around that idea, and the results speak for themselves.
Student engagement in career programming has climbed from 39% to 70% on her watch, driven by manufacturers who open their doors to students from fifth grade through senior year.
The “What’s So Cool About Manufacturing?” video competition is another example of that exposure in action.
Now in its second year after being reinstated, the competition expanded to 12 participating schools in 2025, up from seven in 2024, giving students a chance to go behind the scenes at local manufacturers and share what they find with their peers.
Educators Are Reimagining What School Can Look Like
Brendan Hathaway of Wilmington Area School District is blending agriculture, manufacturing and hands-on learning across every level.
His school board recently approved a cooperative education program that allows students to earn academic credit through placements at local manufacturers, with some internships already turning into full-time job offers.
For Hathaway, keeping students engaged comes down to something simple.
“You want to get kids off cell phones, give them stuff that’s cool in school so they don’t want to be on their cell phone,” Hathaway said. “It’s simple.”
Dr. Joe McCormick of Shenango School District brought hard data to the conversation.
Too many students are falling into the gap between a high school diploma and a four-year degree, even as manufacturers across the region project significant hiring needs in the years ahead.
“We send 60% of the kids for 30% of the jobs and 30% of the kids for 60% of the jobs,” McCormick said.
A Growing Pipeline
The Advanced Manufacturing Pre-Apprenticeship program, sponsored by Pennsylvania College of Technology and supported by LMMC, is helping close that gap.
The program has grown from 12 students two years ago to 54 across Lawrence and Mercer counties today, with a summer cohort already in the works.
The Hoyt Foundation provided a grant to support student stipends this year, making participation more accessible than ever.
With expanded co-op opportunities, youth-informed messaging initiatives and a pre-apprenticeship program that continues to grow, LMMC is building something that lasts.
The workforce pipeline in Lawrence and Mercer counties is not just a goal. It is already taking shape.
