HPO in PA

The High Priority Occupations (HPO) as defined by Chapter 339 and High Priority Occupations policy, is "an occupation as defined by the Center for Workforce Information and Analysis within the Department of Labor and Industry, or another occupation determined to meet regional workforce needs as documented through collaboration between the school entity or Technical Institute and one or more employers and approved by the Department."

The Bucks County Workforce Investment Board determines which occupations will be added to the regional list.  Local economic development and/or local educational institutions have the ability to submit an application for consideration.  However, there needs to be documented evidence that proves there is gainful employment, workforce development and growth in the given area.  In order to be considered, a petitioner must be able to prove that there is a demand by local employers, a documented career path and family sustaining wage.  In PA, this sustainable wage is $26,922 annually and there needs to be 75 openings for each year of the next five years in order to be considered "in demand."

Several years ago I assisted in getting the Arts, A/V Technology and Communications cluster added to the High Priority Occupations list for PA.  This was initially brought to my attention when I was made aware that programs not listed on the HPO will not receive grant funding, which may result in program curtailment.  It also meant that no new programs under that career cluster could be created.

For this reason, I contacted both the Pennsylvania Workforce Development as well as the Department of Labor and Industry. After several weeks of conversations with various representatives, I was introduced to Elizabeth M. Walsh, Executive Director of the Bucks County Workforce Investment Board, Inc. Understanding the impact the HPO had on local business and now the school, she organized a meeting with stakeholders to discuss the petition process.

I was very fortunate to receive support from both the Philadelphia Film Office, the Pittsburgh Film Office, as well as many local film, video, and audio production companies.  Unfortunately, we are nearing the end of our 5 years on the list.  I can only hope to receive the same support as we did for our last petition 5-years ago.

For more information about HPOs in PA, click here to review the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry High Priority Occupations Policy or visit the PA Workforce Development website or the The Center for Workforce Information & Analysis Pennsylvania's Workforce Statistics website