Applications for the 17-County Leadership Program Are Now Open

Employees across York County have an opportunity to grow their skills through the 17-County Leadership Program, which includes monthly six-hour courses from August through October with three one-on-one coaching calls in between. Each class has interactive activities and coursework to complete that will help participants grow into strong leaders.

“This is an excellent opportunity for anyone looking to strengthen their leadership abilities,” says Emily Perry, Development Coordinator for the York County Development Corporation (YCDC).  “Whether you're targeting a specific skill or preparing to step into a leadership role, this coursework offers real value. Our goal is to deliver practical, actionable tools participants can apply directly in their workplace.”

The program is capped at 17 people to provide a personalized learning environment. Learn more about the benefits of 17-County Leadership and complete the application to participate. 

Participants Come from Companies of All Sizes and Industries

The 17-County Leadership Program is an annual event that supports all kinds of residents. While this program is ideal for future executives and managers who lead employees, it can also benefit small business owners and entrepreneurs looking to grow. For example, the “Confidence Under Conflict” section is useful for anyone looking to boost their interpersonal skills when working with peers, vendors, customers, or employees.  

This Program is led by Dr. Shannon Leinen, Provost at York University. It is based on the Better Culturehttps://betterculture.com/ curriculum, where happy employees are good for business.

Participants are encouraged to attend all three sessions (August 21, September 11, and October 23), but YCDC will work with anyone who has to miss one of these dates. They may be able to complete make-up coursework in between the courses so they are caught up and develop the same skills as their peers in attendance.  

Investing in Employees Supports Retention and Growth

Employers can benefit from investing in their employees, especially if they have leadership potential. According to a report by The Adecco Group with 34,200 responses, 31% of employees say their primary reason for leaving a job is a lack of progression or upskilling opportunities. Furthermore, 44% of workers who want to stay at their current company also want to upskill or progress within the organization.  

Investing in employees supports retention efforts and makes hiring for difficult positions (like executive roles) easier.

“When you put in the time to enhance employee skills, team members will feel valued,” says Perry. “They will stay, and they will work harder for you.”

Employees with the right skills can also perform better in their roles. They can apply the soft skills they have developed, no matter their department or situation. 

Strong Leaders Help York County Grow

There are also macroeconomic benefits of companies sending their employees to the 17-County Leadership Program. A strong local workforce helps companies grow and makes the entire region stronger and better poised for growth. Employees can bring new ideas to the table and use their leadership skills to turn concepts into policies or actions. When companies in York County invest in their team members, they make the region stronger and better for future generations.

“When we have strong businesses, we have a strong community,” says Perry. “This makes York County a desirable place for other companies to expand and a great place for new residents to choose.”

The 17-County Leadership Program is designed to be actionable. Participants will develop tools they can apply to their day-to-day workplace, allowing companies to see an immediate return on investment while investing in their organization’s (and York County’s) future.  

Refer Employees and Complete Your Application Today

Applications for the 17-County Leadership Program will be open until July 31. Refer your employees to this program if you think they would be a good fit to develop their leadership skills. If you are an entrepreneur or want to participate in this program without employer support, you can fill out the application and submit it to YCDC. We can’t wait to welcome the next generation of York County leaders into the program.