How can Maryland better connect its talented workforce with the employers that need them? At the 2026 MACo Summer Conference, workforce and economic development leaders explored how stronger talent pipelines can close skills gaps while creating opportunities for Marylanders to build careers in their own communities.
Panelists emphasized the importance of beginning workforce development early, connecting students with training opportunities in high school and college, and aligning those programs with the needs of local employers. The conversation also focused on retention, creating career pathways that not only prepare residents for jobs but give them opportunities to grow and thrive in high-demand industries close to home.
Senator William Folden moderated “From Pipeline to Paycheck: Aligning Workforce and Economic Growth,” hosted by MACo’s Economic Development Partnership and Maryland’s Workforce Development Boards.
Panelists included:
- Brandon Butler, Executive Director, Maryland Workforce Association (MWA)
- Jennifer Jones, Chief Executive Officer, Howard County Economic Development Authority
- Dave Harper, Provost and Executive Vice President, Chesapeake College
- Khadejah Lovelace, Vice President of Workforce Development & Government Programs, BCR Cyber
“From Pipeline to Paycheck: Aligning Workforce and Economic Growth”
Our great panel is ready to discuss progress in the local workforce. https://t.co/ClLOCLr8ck pic.twitter.com/wnB0WWXYDV— Sophie Brzozowsky (@SBrzozowsky) August 13, 2026
Panelists pointed to stronger connections between education, workforce development, and employers as key to building a talent pipeline that responds to local needs. Brandon Butler highlighted Maryland’s 13 Workforce Development Boards and the value of exposing students to career pathways early through career counseling, youth apprenticeships, dual enrollment, and Career and Technical Education (CTE). Jennifer Jones expanded on that connection, emphasizing “earn-and-learn” programs targeted toward high-growth industries as a way to prepare workers for available opportunities while helping employers build a reliable local talent pool.
That alignment between training and employer demand carried through the discussion. Dave Harper highlighted Regional Program Advisory Committees and Chesapeake College’s efforts to give high school and college students pathways into a wide range of careers while responding to regional workforce needs. Khadejah Lovelace pointed to BCR Cyber as one example of an employer-driven approach, with specialized training designed around skills companies are actively seeking. With more than 30,000 cybersecurity positions vacant in Maryland, she emphasized the opportunity to train residents for high-demand careers and create a more direct path from the classroom to the workplace.
Across sectors, the discussion highlighted the value of connecting education, training, and employer needs. Building Maryland’s workforce pipeline is not simply about preparing people for jobs, it is also about creating pathways to careers that allow talent and economic opportunity to grow together in Maryland communities.
Article contributed by Sophie Brzozowsky, Legislative Services Assistant, MACo.
More about MACo’s Summer Conference:
