Lehigh Carbon Community College Joins Statewide Partnership to Launch Union Apprenticeship Pathways

Published: May 7, 2026

Schnecksville, Pa., May 7, 2026 – Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC), as part of the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges (PACCC), yesterday signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with TradesFutures to establish a first-of-its-kind statewide apprenticeship-ready partnership. The agreement, signed on National Skilled Trades Day in Harrisburg, authorizes Pennsylvania’s 15 community colleges to implement the Multi-Craft Core Curriculum (MC3). This is a nationally recognized pre-apprenticeship program, developed by North America’s Building Trades Unions.

“This partnership represents a transformative step forward for Lehigh Carbon Community College. By integrating the MC3 curriculum into our programming, we are creating clear, accessible pathways into family-sustaining careers in the skilled trades. Together with TradesFutures and our industry partners, we are not only meeting workforce demands but also opening doors of opportunity for our students and communities statewide,” said Dr. Ann D. Bieber, President of LCCC.

Meeting the 2030 Workforce Demand
The collaboration arrives at a critical juncture for the Commonwealth’s economy. State data projects that Pennsylvania will require 300,000 skilled trade workers by 2030, particularly as 40% of the current workforce nears retirement.

LCCC is already a key player in this statewide strategy. As a member of the Technical Trades Consortium in the Expanded Northeast Region, LCCC works alongside Luzerne, Northampton, and Bucks county community colleges to provide specialized training for high-demand sectors, including the hyperscale data centers currently planned for the region.

Bridging the Gap to Careers
The MC3 curriculum is registered with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry and focuses on removing barriers for underrepresented communities. “Our goal is to codify these partnerships among community colleges, technical high schools, and the building trades,” said Dr. Tuesday Stanley, President/CEO of the PACCC. “By doing so, we magnify the preeminent role community colleges play in delivering the skilled labor Pennsylvania needs to thrive.”

Through this MOU, LCCC students will gain access to a proven curriculum that provides a direct gateway into the building and construction trades, ensuring the Lehigh Valley remains a leader in the state’s burgeoning workforce development ecosystem.

For more information on opportunities at LCCC, please visit the LCCC website or email admissions@lccc.edu.