SHRM Convenes Fifth E² Roundtable to Strengthen Education-to-Employment Pathways
On Oct. 27, SHRM, in partnership with JobsFirst Northeast Pennsylvania (JobsFirst NEPA), convened employers, educators, HR professionals, and workforce development leaders in Scranton, Pa., for its fifth Education-to-Employment (E²) Pipeline Initiative roundtable of 2026, focused on strengthening regional talent pipelines and better aligning education with evolving workforce needs.
Led by Emily M. Dickens, chief administrative officer of SHRM, the roundtable continued SHRM's national effort to bring employers and community partners together to address skills gaps, strengthen career pathways, and expand access to meaningful employment.
The discussion comes as employers continue to face significant workforce challenges. According to SHRM's 2026 Talent Trends research, 68% of HR professionals reported difficulty recruiting full-time employees. Meanwhile, SHRM's 2026 Powering the Education-to-Employment Pipeline research found that 60% of HR professionals believe organizations have a responsibility to bridge education systems and workforce needs, yet only 36% of organizations currently partner with local workforce initiatives.
The Scranton discussion focused on strengthening collaboration among employers, educational institutions, and workforce organizations, expanding work-based learning opportunities, and preparing individuals with the technical and durable skills needed to succeed as technology and industry demands evolve.
Through its E² Initiative, SHRM advances a framework centered on Awareness, Advocacy, and Action, encouraging employers to take a more active role in workforce readiness by communicating emerging skill needs, informing education and training programs, and creating opportunities for practical career experience. The Scranton convening builds on a growing national effort to connect workforce challenges with regional solutions and strengthen the partnerships needed to prepare tomorrow's workforce.
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