Regional Need for Highly Skilled Workers

Statewide growth in science and engineering related fields is evident in the PA Department of Labor and Industry data on projected growth of job opportunities and the influx of high technology and bio-pharmaceutical companies. Contrasting the project growth numbers from the PA Department of Labor and Industry in the table below with the fact that roughly 4% of NCC students are STEM majors, the gap between industry needs and qualified graduates becomes clear.

The Lehigh Valley is home to several key industry clusters, including life sciences, healthcare and other technology intensive industries. Positioned strategically within the Mid-Atlantic bio-pharmaceutical belt, the region has experienced significant growth in the life sciences sector. Orasure Technologies, Inc., and Sanofi Pasteur are long-time, regional bio-pharmaceutical company success stories.  Major relocations of successful businesses include Olympus America, B. Braun Biotech, and Sharp Corporation. Upon locating their corporate headquarters here, David Willard, Director of Marketing and Community Services, Olympus America  is quoted as saying,  “After an exhaustive multi-year review, the Lehigh Valley was determined to be the best place in America for our company to be doing business in the 21st Century.”