Worker productivity was rated “excellent”
or “good” by 89% of surveyed employers


"Greater Hazleton has one of the most dedicated, reliable and skilled workforces in the Northeast. Greater Hazleton’s 30 mile commute radius has a population of 532,000 people with a civilian labor force of 266,400. Humboldt Industrial Park’s 30 minute commute radius has a population of 408,820 with a civilian labor force of 190,030.

More than 41,000 workers are available for new or expanding businesses.

Between the Humboldt, Valmont, McAdoo Industrial Parks and the CAN DO Corporate Center, CAN DO brings jobs to over 9,000 residents in Greater Hazleton and surrounding areas.

Labor Statistics

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Related Links:
Community Profile .PDF

The following labor statistics are for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton/Hazleton MSA.

Employment Rates Luzerne County

Year
Period
Civilian Labor Force
Total Employment
Total Unemployment
Unemp. Rate (%)
2008 June
160,300
150,500
9,800
6.1
2008 May
160,500
150,600
9,900
6.2
2008 April
159,700
150,100
9,600
6.0
2008 March
158,300
148,900
9,400
6.0
2008 February
158,500
149,100
9,400
5.9
2008 January
159,900
150,600
9,300
5.8
2007 December
159,500
150,900
8,700
5.4
2007 November
159,300
151,700
7,600
4.7
2007 October
159,800
151,500
8,300
5.2
2007 September
159,600
151,400
8,200
5.1
2007 August
158,800
150,600
8,300
5.2
2007 July
158,400
150,700
7,700
4.8
2007 June
158,700
151,500
7,800
4.6
Revision date: 07-29-08
Source: PA Department of Labor and Industry

 

 

Workforce Verification Study
compiled and prepared by
The Pathfinders

Download Entire
Pathfinders Report (PDF)

Download Abbreviated
Pathfinders Report (PDF)

PFResources/The Pathfinders is a site selection consultant for many of America 's largest corporations. They studied the Greater Hazleton area and found the following:

  • In addition to the unemployed in the Hazleton Area, a new employer will be able to attract employees from an additional pool of about 23,900 UNDEREMPLOYED workers.
  • Those workers possess the skills, experience and education to qualify them for the pay rates at which they would take a new job, ranging from less than $8.00 to over $30.00 per hour.
  • About 25% of those workers would take a new job for $10.60 per hour or less. At the upper end, the 25% most qualified and experienced would command more than $20.84 per hour.
  • Roughly 2,900 people neither employed nor seeking work might re-enter the workforce for the proper job.
  • Hazleton Area has 41,100 available workers for new or expanding businesses.

To view the entire report in PDF format, click here. An abbreviated version is also available.

 

Out of ninety-eight (98) companies, there are a total of twenty (20) companies in CAN DO’s Industrial Parks that are unionized. No logistics companies in the Hazleton Area are unionized .

The following is a breakdown list of union vs. non union industries listed by each park:

 

Breakdown list of Companies in CAN DO's Industrial Parks
Union vs. Non Union

Industrial Park
Union Count
Union Percent
Non Union Count
Non Union Percent
CAN DO Corporate Center
2
18%
9
82%
Humboldt Industrial Park
9
19%
38
81%
McAdoo Industrial Park
1
10%
9
90%
Valmont Industrial Park
8
25%
24
75%
Total
20
20%
80
80%

 

 


Northeast Pennsylvania Ranked High for Financial Services and Insurance Industry Support Operationss

Download the
Moran Stahl & Boyer
study for PNE
PDF (1.3MB)

A recent study conducted by national site selection and economic development consultant Moran, Stahl & Boyer concluded that Northeast Pennsylvania is an ideal location for financial services and insurance industry support operations.

The consulting firm gave Northeast Pennsylvania high marks on each area it reviewed, covering everything from operating costs, labor workforce statistics, educational resources, telecommunications infrastructure and tax incentives.

When comparing operating costs to those of Philadelphia, Hartford and New York City, MS&B found that a company with 500 employees and 100,000 square feet of space would save between $3.2 million and $8.4 million each year by locating in Northeast Pennsylvania.

The report found that employees come to work with self motivation to do the tasks at hand, are willing to work long hours as needed for the good of the organization, don’t have a “what’s in it for me” entitlement attitude, and enjoy a strong cooperative spirit focused on getting the job done.

“It’s almost like this area (Northeast PA) defines what work ethic is. People come to work with an eagerness and willingness to get the job done.”
– MS&B Senior Executive
John Rhodes

Employment resources
for both jobs and internships

While CAN DO is not an employment agency, we can point you to several local organizations that do a great job providing employment-related services.

WORKNEPA.com
Whether you are an employee looking for a job, or are a company in need of an employee, be sure to check out worknepa.com. This web site lists internships and jobs in Northeast Pennsylvania by allowing employers to post their available positions on the site. Job seekers can respond to these listings, as well post their own resume online for employers to review.

Pennsylvania CareerLink
Pennsylvania CareerLink is a statewide cooperative effort to provide one-stop delivery of career services to job seekers, employers and other interested individuals. These services are available at the local Pennsylvania CareerLink office:
PENNSYLVANIA CAREERLINK - HAZLETON CENTER
75 N. Laurel St., Hazleton, PA 18201-5950
Phone: (570) 459-3854

Partners in Education
Partners in Education (PIE) brings business and education leaders together in an innovative program designed to make sure all students leave school with the academic, technical, and employability skills necessary to be successful in the 21st century workplace. Through PIE, educators and business leaders visit each other's workplace to develop ways to integrate real-life skills into the school curriculum. The group also educates students, administrators, and teachers as to what kinds of jobs are available in Greater Hazleton. It isn't unusual to see a human resources manager or even a CEO talking to students and educators about everything from how to write a resume, to what a specific company is looking for in an employee.

Manufacturers & Employers Association
The Northeast Pennsylvania Manufacturers & Employers Association assists area companies by acting as a business resource partner. Whether a company needs customized training for their workforce, has a question regarding human resource issues, or wants to network with professionals on a regional basis, the association provides the necessary tools.

The MAEA is a non-profit membership based association that is dedicated to helping area businesses remain competitive in this ever-changing global economy. The organization provides programs such as quarterly roundtable discussions; plant tours; hotline services for safety, environment, engineering, and human resource topics; management and supervisory training; compliance and regulatory training; and important wage, salary, and employee benefits benchmarking data. The association serves companies throughout Luzerne, Schuylkill, Carbon, Lackawanna, and Northumberland counties.

Your Employability Skills Certificate Program (YES™)
In collaboration with local school districts, employers and business organizations, the YES™ program is now available in northeastern Pennsylvania and is administered by the Northeast Pennsylvania Manufacturers & Employers Council. The program is designed to help youth acquire the fundamental skills that employers regard as important to a well-trained work force. It addresses key concerns of the employers, while preparing applicants for quality employment opportunities and a pathway to a secure future. YES™ was developed in York, Pennsylvania, by the York Operating Partnership and has a proven record of success at the high school level and in adult continuing education programs. The YES™ program is a 120-hour course with rigorous certification requirements, which are taught in the senior year of high school.