What is the status of the labor market in the nation and the Pocono-Northeast? Is this market keeping up with the needs of its citizens? What has the pandemic done to the region’s labor supply?

These, and many other questions need to be posed and answered in coming months and years to determine actions and strategies that can be applied to the regional economy.

Many suggestions have been made over time by entities such as the former Economic Development Council of Northeastern Pennsylvania, and its successor the NEPAAlliance and other regional institutions.

As a New York Times article said in 1923:“ Make The Labor Market Work for More Americans.”

It is an interesting fact that in 1971, a study was completed and published by EDCNP on the future of distribution facilities in this region and, lo and behold, we now have a major industry of such industries across the entire region.

Now the future role of many types of businesses and industries across the region needs to be addressed by such groups and a host of other local and county development organizations.

The labor market has shifted over time, especially impacted by other events, such as the costly fall off in the economy in 2008-2009.

Who knows what events will occur in the near-term future and longer term, however, this region needs to be prepared for all types of situations that will affect our economic future.

This means that a coalition of entities needs to be available such as economic organizations, colleges and universities, the private, public, and nonprofit sectors, all of whom can provide leadership in coming times across the region.

Included should be the role of the Institute for Public Policy and Economic Development as well as other groups who can add value to looking at the future of the labor market in this region.

Pennsylvania is changing just as Gov. Josh Shapiro in his first day of office eliminated the requirement of a four year college degree for a vast number of jobs in the Commonwealth, a change which had been implemented in Maryland and Utah, and perhaps other states , more recently.

Now, the region needs to have a modern research study of the labor market, lookingat ways that we can protect, project, and produce new avenues for enhancing for many decades, the role of the labor market. Just as Governor Shapiro thought through state jobs, the mind set of his leadership should be enabled across our regional boundary lines of the Pocono-Northeast.

His role included experience as well as education. Some of this thinking occurred during a time of hiring policy and difficulty in finding jobs for the economy of the time, but the fact dictate that there be constant steps and views of the labor market regionally.

Therefore, some of the steps that might be accomplished include the following:

• Conduct an analysis and update it periodically, of the labor market in the region by entities such as the NEPA Alliance, and, in fact, they do much of this anyway and deserve credit for undertaking such work.

• Contact national entities such as Opportunity@Work and others to utilize their talent and skills accordingly.

• Conduct a survey of all types of work experiences in the region and collect the results an make this information available to the public.

• Hold meetings throughout the region to enable as many people as possible to lend their views and ideas regarding the type of labor market best suited to regional life.

• Ensure that all minority groups are deeply involved in this analysis such as AfricanAmericans, Latinos, Asian and others.

The labor market of this region and the nation needs careful evaluation in coming months and years so that hiring becomes one of the more profound economic avenues in guaranteeing openness and fairness into the labor market of today and tomorrow and send the most appropriate message possible toward a healthy democracy that offers opportunity for everyone, something the New York Times article encourages.

It is a message of hope and encouragement that relates to a better and improved quality of life for all Americans and those who live and work in this region.

We live in an area that has proven its value in coming back from recessions constantly and achieving perhaps the greatest regional economic comeback in the nation’s history.

Our labor market future should similarly be bright and shining.