Declining workforce amid pandemic cited as Westmoreland County's top issue

Westmoreland County commissioners on Wednesday acknowledged the hard work needed locally to build up the declining workforce, a problem that has been exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic.

“The challenge has recently come front and center and is identified as the No. 1 issue businesses face and this pandemic has only fueled the situation,” Commissioner Sean Kertes said during the 2022 State of the County Luncheon.

His remarks came amid discussions about various county departments, achievements and goals during the annual event held at Stratigos Banquet Centre in North Huntingdon. The event was hosted by the Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce, the Economic Growth Connection and the county’s Industrial Development Corp.

Finding workers has been an issue for employers for months. They are competing with other businesses to find people willing to work — even as they offer higher wages — at a time when there are fewer people in the labor force, which is defined as those working and looking for work. Data show the county’s labor force shrunk to 171,200 people in November, which was 2,600 fewer than the county’s labor force in November 2020. Statewide, the labor force is at its lowest point since 2005.

“Most businesses in the room are likely experiencing workforce difficulties,” said Commissioner Doug Chew, adding that includes county government. “Workforce supply is a definite challenge everywhere.”

Kertes pointed to state Department of Labor statistics that showed 173,000 people were in the workforce in 1980 and the county hit a high in 2010 with 184,000. In 2020, that figure was 176,000. “Reimagining Our Westmoreland” is the county’s comprehensive plan that looks at ways to increase population, jobs and quality of life.

“To reverse Westmoreland County’s trend towards continued population decline, it is imperative that Westmoreland County focuses on strategies to retain existing jobs and create new ones,” Kertes said.

Job opportunities in manufacturing and construction should be a focus, he said.

Chew suggested employers look into ways to improve well-being among staff in an effort to retain workers, such as shorter work weeks.

“If you are seeing high turnover rates like we are, you may want to consider investigating alternatives that build resiliency and staying of staff,” he said.

There were 3,400 continued unemployment claims in the county for the week ending Jan. 8, according to Center for Workforce Information & Analysis data. The majority of those unemployed previously worked in construction.

There are plenty of available healthcare jobs, said Commissioner Gina Cerilli Thrasher. A challenge is figuring out how to keep students who attend higher education in the county here after graduation, the commissioners agreed.

Kertes suggested having a website that would list jobs available in the county to inform new graduates of options available in their backyard.

As fewer people are in the workforce, the jobless rate in the county fell to 4.6% in November, as adjusted for seasonal hiring factors, according to Labor & Industry data. That unemployment rate improved from 6.8% in November 2020.