SHARON, Pa. – In just over a year, the Lawrence Mercer Manufacturers Coalition has emerged as a key driver for workforce development in western Pennsylvania.
“Our achievements in 2024 are a testament to what we can accomplish when manufacturers collaborate,” says Anna Barensfeld, Ellwood vice president of strategic initiatives and LMMC board president. “We’re laser-focused on creating programs that not only address today’s workforce challenges but also inspire the next generation to view manufacturing as a career of choice.”
In 2024, LMMC grew to 15 members, welcoming manufacturers such as Graham Stamping, CSI Bottles and Ezeflow – Flowline Fittings. Other members include Berner International, Blair Strip Steel Co., Ellwood, G.W. Becker Crane, Hall Industries and Wheatland Steel Processing.
Through career fairs and school partnerships, the coalition reached hundreds of students, reshaping perceptions of manufacturing careers.
LMMC partnered with Keystone Community Education Council to launch a two-year industrial maintenance apprenticeship program, addressing critical skills gaps.
The coalition also secured $236,000 from Pennsylvania’s Industry Partnership program and leveraged federal grants to fund its initiatives.
In 2025, LMMC will launch an entry-level job-readiness program designed to prepare job seekers with essential technical and soft skills for manufacturing careers.
The coalition plans to enhance its outreach and awareness efforts, focusing on school-aged youth to showcase manufacturing as a rewarding, appealing career pathway.
Photo: The Mercer County Courthouse in Mercer, Pa. Mr. Matté, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
