REthink Erie

Overview
REthink Erie is an unprecedented collaboration among the business, government, economic development and philanthropic communities to aggressively address our region’s workforce development challenges and evaluate the opportunities associated with, and the viability of, creating a community college to serve northwestern Pennsylvania. The initiative's focus will be RElearning, REtooling, REworking and REeducating to meet the changing needs of people, business and industry in the region.

Current Status
REthink Erie has performed extensive research regarding our workforce training and educational needs, which will be used to help determine if an application for a community college is warranted. The research was conducted in Erie, Crawford and Warren counties and included 98 one-on-one interviews with business, education and community leaders; eight industry and community forums; a ten-day online survey with more than 2,000 responses; and the collection and review of secondary data.

Visit the REthink Erie website for the most up-to-date information on this initiative.

Significance
The research process we have instituted through REthink Erie will not only help the region determine the need for a community college, but will also be replicated over time so we can periodically take the pulse of our region’s needs. REthink Erie will allow us to not only to shape and continually inform a potential community college, but also to shape our region’s broader business retention, expansion, attraction and economic development efforts.

Resources

Click here to visit the official REthink Erie initiative website

REthink Erie

Growth Partnership Division