A roundtable discussion on energy, manufacturing, and rural opportunities brought insiders together at the Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport on Wednesday.

For over two hours, the group engaged in an informal discussion on topics including successful workforce development with career and technology education and apprenticeships, the business climate experienced under both the administrations of Gov. Josh Shapiro and President Donald J. Trump, energy sector job opportunities and job skills needed to extract natural gas and lithium, and work in plants using emerging technology such as compressed hydrogen gas storage container manufacturing for over-the-road trucks.

Business leaders also expressed frustration over continued regulatory impediments stymying growth in Pennsylvania.

Those attending included leaders of education, business and industry and state and federal government officials, each participating in the roundtable hosted by the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, Penn College, and the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce.

Workforce development and marrying that critical need with educational opportunities and keeping the focus on energy-related and manufacturing jobs was frequently revisited at the roundtable.

“Government, education and the private sector need to be looked at as partners,” said U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan, R-Dallas Township, a commonly supported theme expressed by others on the roundtable.

Bresnahan recently joined a Democrat member of Congress to introduce a bipartisan bill that aims to close the skilled trades gap by boosting enrollment in registered apprenticeship programs. The Supporting Apprenticeship Colleges Act is endorsed by the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT). It will be through greater investment in outreach to students looking to learn a trade and get to work, he said.

These will be the next generation of builders and those in construction trades, welders, mechanics, machinists, and design engineers — along with those familiar with robotics that need to be ready for today’s jobs.

“We’re on the same page,” said U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Dallas, sitting beside the U.S. Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-Howard. Also on the table and supporting pro-growth energy and manufacturing legislation was U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-7th., which covers all of Lehigh, Northampton, and Carbon Counties and part of Monroe County.

“Each time I come here it’s more impressive the next time,” Meuser said.

He cited how the state was ripe for pro-growth with a federal administration supportive of it, including the White House. He said the recent trade deals and tariffs have led to promising trends such as the Europe Union buying much less energy from Russia.

Thompson, meanwhile, said there is a commitment to passing legislation that “reimagines education as a pathway toward the workforce.”

He cited how the recently approved federal law, “big beautiful act,” will provide financial assistance for those seeking short-term Pell grants, giving more incentive for students who want to go to school but can’t afford to as the grants don’t require paying them back.

As host site for the roundtable, Penn College of Technology continues its commitment to placing its students into positions for competitive jobs that industries need, said Dr. Mike Reed, college president.

It is one reason why the college has an industry advisory board, he added.

The school is experiencing growth for the third year, with 600 more students attending, of late, bringing the combined student population to 4,800.

In terms of educating students to be prepared and in position to accept these competitive jobs, the college has a 98 % percent job placement rate, and works closely with over 4,000 industry partners fostering an environment teaching skills for today’s and tomorrow’s workforce. That includes focusing on emerging careers at AI data centers, and in the energy sector such as extracting natural gas, coal, mining, lithium production, hydrogen technology, and use of green or alternative energy sources such as wind and solar.

Such investment in technology comes with a price and it is no secret the 150 labs on the college campus and equipment and tools are an expensive proposition.

Reed cited for those at the table the high price for an aviation engine and welding tools and equipment.

Likewise, Bill desRosiers, manager of Government and External Affairs, Coterra Energy, a diversified energy company, also mentioned the need for capital investment in institutions such as Penn College.

Coterra “recognizes Penn College as an “energy (employment) pipeline.” These will be the electricians, architectural designers, machinists, welders and robotics technicians. It is part of a “multi-faceted investment strategy,” he said, adding Coterra sponsors 1,000 scholarships a year.

Susquehanna County’s Career and Technology Center, is also preparing the next generation of energy sector workers including those in mining and gas exploration. It trains truck drivers with the Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) program, which allows students to learn in the classroom, on a driving simulator, and on the road. The program is designed to get students certified quickly so they can begin their new careers immediately, according to John Gazillo, the center’s director.

The roundtable continued with discussion about improving conditions that businesses are encountering due to permitting delays and regulatory requirements, and industry leaders views on where the state is primed for economic development.

“If the regulatory situation does not improve those investments will go someplace else,” warned Bill Miller, vice president of membership at the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry.

Attempts are being made at the U.S. EPA to “streamline within our region,” said Amy Van Blarcom-Lackey, EPA regional administrator for the Mid-Atlantic.

She said a goal of the agency is to ensure permits come through and that regulations are followed under the law. She said what needs to stop is when a business approaches the EPA and tells them that the state Department of Environmental Protection told them something different and vice versa.

With her background in finance, she said she was aware of the hurdles the businesses face and the costs of delay involved in not getting projects permitted or approved.

Stay tuned for more from the roundtable in upcoming editions of the Sun-Gazette.