Last week, the PA Chamber took a significant step toward fostering greater collaboration between the business community and higher education institutions with the official launch of its new Higher Education Council.

Dozens of representatives from Pennsylvania colleges and universities gathered at the PA Chamber’s offices for the inaugural meeting last Wednesday, discussing strategies for bridging the gap between industry and academia. This newly established group will play a crucial role in advising the PA Chamber on policy direction and advocacy efforts related to workforce development and support for higher education in the Commonwealth.

Higher education represents the fifth-largest industry in Pennsylvania. These institutions serve as major Pennsylvania economic drivers and employers.

Recognizing this, in conjunction with the pivotal role that colleges and universities play in shaping the next generation of workers, the PA Chamber’s new Higher Education Council will work collaboratively to strengthen ties between these educational institutions and the broader business community to support our respective and collective public policy agendas.

The establishment of the Higher Education Council reaffirms the PA Chamber’s commitment to leveraging the collective power of businesses and educational institutions to drive economic growth, develop a skilled workforce, and combat the state’s “brain drain” through collaborative efforts to retain graduates and create family-sustaining jobs. This initiative reflects the PA Chamber’s efforts to harness the power of education as a major player in determining Pennsylvania’s economic landscape.