York County Has Multiple Opportunities for Leadership Development

Supporting the workforce is an essential part of economic development. When the residents of York County have the skills they need to succeed in their roles, companies can easily hire, promote, and expand. Upskilling also supports business attraction because the right talent is found here.

Employers are increasingly looking for people skills when selecting new candidates. In 2025, problem-solving was the most in-demand skill, with more than 88% of employers prioritizing it. Other top people skills include collaboration, communication, and initiative.

The York County Development Corporation (YCDC) supports the efforts of employees and job seekers to grow their skills. Whether you are happy with your organization and looking to climb the ladder or want to change careers, multiple workforce development programs are available.

Each of these programs provides workers with fresh perspectives and new skills. Even if you have completed one program, you can still benefit from participating in others. Learn more about your options, or the options for your employees that you want to upskill. 

Dale Carnegie Leadership Course

YCDC and Klute, Inc. have partnered to bring the Dale Carnegie Leadership Course to York County. This course ran for the first time through Summer 2025, with plans to run another session in early 2026. This first course was a “Skills Course,” lasting about eight weeks. It included activities to help participants grow their confidence, leadership skills, interpersonal relationships, public speaking abilities, and stress management skills. This first course uses the Dale Carnegie books How to Win Friends and Influence People and How to Stop Worrying and Start Living. This course drew a few participants from outside York County, and we welcome others in 2026!

“I went into this first class and was surprised by the practical memory lessons, the 90-second weekly presentations, and the stress management skills that I benefited from,” says Lisa Hurley, Executive Director of YCDC. “This course focuses on applicable skill development that can be used across any industry at any level. I highly encourage participation.”  

The Dale Carnegie program staff, Klute leadership, and YCDC staff will also add a manager course in 2026.

As of now, here are the Dale Carnegie opportunities for 2026:

• Jan/Feb – Dale Carnegie Skills Course
• Mar/Apr – Dale Carnegie Leadership & Manager Training 
• June/July – Dale Carnegie Skills Course

Individuals can enroll in this program, or companies can sponsor employees who are strong candidates for leadership positions. Contact Emily or Lisa if you have questions about the cost for budget purposes. In the meantime, watch our emails and social media campaigns for application open dates!

17-County Leadership

Local York County professionals can also enroll in the 17-County Leadership program, which has been a staple of YCDC since 2021. Participants are carefully selected to join the program to build their leadership skills and overcome obstacles to professional success. The program is spread over three meetings, each lasting six hours. Each meeting includes a mixture of interactive activities and group work to gain fresh perspectives.

“When we first designed this program, it was important to me to include one-on-one business coaching sessions, as many of our leaders have not been exposed to those, and this section has been highly impactful to participants,” says Hurley. These calls are held between sessions.  

17-County leadership is facilitated by Dr. Shannon Leinen, Provost and Professor of York University’s Master of Arts in Organizational and Global Leadership Program. YCDC and Dr. Leinen utilize the Better Culture Curriculum to guide the sessions. This session, along with the York Chamber’s Leadership York, counts towards York University credit in a master’s program at York University.

The 2025 17-County Leadership session is ongoing and will wrap up in October. YCDC will make several announcements when applications for the 2026 session open. 

Ongoing Leadership Special Sessions

Not everyone can commit to a multi-week (or multi-month) leadership training course. However, there are still opportunities to grow your skills and become more effective in the workplace. YCDC frequently hosts single-day sessions or guest speakers who can come and share their insights. These workforce development events are designed to be affordable while respecting the busy schedules of attendees.

For example, in August 2025, YCDC and the York Chamber of Commerce brought Ginger Johnson to York County for a one-day communication experience. There was a morning and an afternoon session, and participants could attend one part or both. The morning session focused on building connections, while the afternoon reviewed executive speaking skills.

YCDC hosts events like this throughout the year. Follow us on social media for announcements on additional guest speakers and leadership development opportunities. 

There's Never a Bad Time to Grow Your Skills 

Everyone has a unique career path with individual goals, strengths, and plans. The leadership development opportunities through YCDC can help you step into a management role or simply improve your current workflows. You don't have to be preparing for a major career change to benefit from these educational resources.

YCDC also strives to make these opportunities affordable, whether you're attending as an individual or on behalf of your company. Talk to your employer about attending one of these events to see if they can help with the cost.

Employers, start budgeting for workforce development in 2026. Consider how YCDC can help you upskill your current Workforce so you can hire within. We can do our best to help your employees build the right skills to succeed in their new roles. 

YCDC is a Leader in Workforce Development 

The residents of York County are some of the greatest assets in the region. YCDC is committed to investing in workforce development to ensure its people and organizations have bright futures. Learn more about the great work we do throughout the year. From assisting students as they start their careers to guiding businesses into the area, YCDC is your ideal support system for all things economic development in York County.