Workforce 2030 Action Initiative
The success of this initiative depends on clear roles and active collaboration across partners.
The Workforce Best Practices for Employers initiative is a coordinated, partner-led approach to identifying, validating, and sharing practical workforce strategies that help employers attract, hire, and retain talent in Lancaster County.
This initiative is anchored by Career Ready Lancaster! (CRL!) as the central coordinating entity, with support from Lancaster SHRM (LSHRM) to support general workforce best practices; Community Action Partnership of Lancaster County, United Way of Lancaster County, and The Factory Ministries to support barrier removal best practices. Together, partners identify priority topics, develop actionable guidance, and distribute best practices through trusted employer networks.
Workforce best practices will be organized by industry to support a sector-based approach to workforce development. This structure allows partners to identify practical, employer-informed solutions within the context of each industry’s labor market realities, business operations, talent needs, and workforce barriers.
Key Objectives
Create a shared, trusted system for delivering best practices—reducing uncertainty, improving workforce engagement, and strengthening talent pipelines across Lancaster County.
Start with One Industry at a Time
Focus on smaller, more manageable industry groupings where solutions can be tested, validated, and adapted before being shared more broadly. This structure allows partners to identify practical, employer-informed solutions within the context of each industry’s labor market realities, business operations, talent needs, and workforce barriers.
Engage Employers in Validation
Use employer input to confirm whether the proposed practice is realistic, relevant, scalable, and tied to a clear business outcome, emphasizing industry engagement, data-informed decision-making, partner validation, and continuous improvement.
Translate ideas into practical tools
Develop short guidance documents, checklists, templates, sample policies, training outlines, or conversation guides that employers can use immediately.·Test the guidance with a small group of employers or partners, gather feedback, and revise before sharing through broader networks.
Workforce 2030 In Action
Workforce 2030 follows a structured process that moves from identification to delivery and continued refinement. Each partner role represents a project
Career Ready Lancaster!
Identify and confirm the first priority workforce topic and develop an initial scope outlining the proposed content and delivery approach for partner review. Lead the development of employer-focused guidance for the selected topic, determining the most effective format, such as a toolkit, template, training session, or plug-and-play resource. Coordinate with LSHRM to align the content and delivery mechanism before finalizing and distributing materials through Career Ready Lancaster! (CRL!) employer networks and communication channels. Following distribution, collect initial employer feedback on the usefulness and application of the resources and document key findings to help shape and inform the next priority topic cycle.
Lancaster SHRM
Convene the LSHRM Workforce Inclusion Committee to review proposed CRL! initiative areas and provide input on the topics most relevant to employers. Review draft content for the first priority topic and provide feedback on clarity, accuracy, employer readiness, and the most effective delivery methods, including breakfasts, breakout sessions, or digital resources. Support distribution of finalized best practices through LSHRM events, breakfasts, and employer networks, while identifying LSHRM members with relevant expertise who can contribute to the development or validation of future workforce topics.
Barrier Removal Partners (United Way of Lancaster, Lancaster CAP, Factory Ministries)
Participate in early conversations with CRL! to help define the scope of barrier removal as a standalone topic area within the initiative. Provide input on the employer-facing barrier removal issues that are most commonly encountered and least understood by businesses, helping to identify areas where additional guidance and resources may be most valuable. Confirm organizational capacity and interest in supporting the review and validation of barrier removal best practices as part of a future topic cycle.
Team & Advisors
Felicia Kriscuinas
Project Manager for Workforce Initiatives
Lancaster County Workforce Development Board
Kimberley Patrick
Facilitator
Career Ready Lancaster!
Community Partners
Finalized content will be distributed through CRL! Employer networks and channels, and will benefit industry stakeholders.
Become The Solution
Together, we can strengthen Lancaster County’s workforce and create meaningful career opportunities for everyone. Join the work or make a donation to help build a stronger future for our community.