HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry released a set of public policy recommendations to help address the state’s childcare access crisis, which business leaders say is a key factor in Pennsylvania’s workforce shortage.
According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Pennsylvania currently has 340,000 open jobs, but only 66 available workers for every 100 job openings. And at 61.9 percent, the state’s labor participation rate trails the national average and poses a growing challenge to economic growth.
“Growing our economy starts with removing barriers for people to enter, stay in, or re-enter the workforce—and access to high-quality, affordable childcare is a critical part of that equation,” PA Chamber President and CEO Luke Bernstein said. “We need a comprehensive plan to support this industry, including to tackle staffing shortages, reduce costs, and mitigate regulatory and administrative challenges.”
Heidi Scrivo, executive director at the Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce, said, “We are pleased to offer strong support for the Child Care Agenda the PA Chamber of Business and Industry is proposing. This initiative is not just a social imperative, but is also a critical driver in resolving workforce shortages across the commonwealth.”
Childcare availability and affordability remain major contributors to Pennsylvania’s workforce crisis. The PA Chamber worked with employers, local chambers of commerce, and childcare advocates and providers across the commonwealth to provide lawmakers with recommendations to address some of the challenges that make it more difficult to operate child care facilities in Pennsylvania.
“There’s no silver bullet solution, and funding proposals are only part of the discussion,” Bernstein continued. “But by working with businesses, childcare providers, and advocates, the PA Chamber is advancing reforms and recommendations that will strengthen our child care industry, thereby supporting working families across Pennsylvania.”
Advocates and local chamber leaders from across the state applauded the reforms.
Kari King, Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children, said, “The challenges that child care providers face are many, making it harder and harder for working families to find care. I applaud the Pennsylvania Chamber for elevating child care as a workforce barrier, and underscore the importance of a comprehensive solution so classrooms can remain open, including helping child care programs recruit and retain staff.”
Andrea Heberlein, Pennsylvania Early Learning Investment Commission, said, “The Pennsylvania Early Learning Investment Commission affirms that early childhood education delivered through quality, affordable child care is critically important to our Commonwealth’s prosperity. We appreciate the PA Chamber for directing their expertise and influence to help drive solutions into the child care business model. These efforts will most certainly inform and accelerate the ongoing, systems change work needed to ensure that Pennsylvania’s youngest children have access to early care and education enabling parents to actively participate in the workforce.”
