Pa. Business Survey rel eases
1979 turned out to be a very
good year for the economy of the
Northeast metropolitan area.
More residents of the area—an
average monthly number of
257,600—he1d jobs in 1979 than
had in any other year in the 19708.
Unemployment, although a bit
worse than in 1978, was under
three preceding years. It worsen
ed because the labor force in
creased to record size rather than
because of job loss. In fact, con
tinued growth in the size of the
labor force was one of the more
significant economic
developments in 1979, although
not necessarily a good one.
Enlargement began slowly in
1977, picked up speed in 1978, and
peaked in the first quarter of
1979. At midyear, growth ceased,
but it resumed in the fourth
quarter, when a new all-tithe
peak was recorded.
It is this labor force growth that
has fed unemployment. On
average, some 25,000 people a
month sought work unsuccessful
ly last _Year, about 1,600 more
than did in 1978. This pushed the
monthly average unemployment
rate slightly above the preceding
year, from 8.4 to 8.8 percent.
While not good, this rate was cer
tainly better than those of the
three preceding years, when it
Northeast Area Industry Jobs
110 1972-1 °Ci 110
Os
105 : 16 .
iii wgim 105
'ffig.
100 Or'" lOO
"
&l"
04.
95 0mr...:. 1.95
I I - 1 I
Index 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979
JOBS SUPPLIED BY industries in the Northeast metropolitan area peaked
early in 1979, fell during the second and third quarters, but staged some recovery at
year's end. This graph, prepared at the Center for Research in the College of Business
Administration at Penn State, shows the pattern. Approximately 239,200 lobs were
provided monthly by area industries in 1979 compared to about 239,800 in 1978. About
4 percent more lobs are supplied by industries than was the case in 1972. The 1972
level is represented by the "100" line on the graph.
2-year programs spark
This fall marked the highest
enrollment ever in the Associate
Degree Program at Highacres.
Consequently, the Collegian
decided to investigate the
Associate Degree Program to
discover why the program is so
popular among today's students.
Last fall, 25% of the incoming
freshman class, 240 students,
were enrolled for an Associate
Degree. The following programs
are available; Medical
Laboratory Technology; Letters,
Arts and Sciences; Mechanical
Engineering Technology;
Nuclear Engineering
Technology, and Sociology.
The newest of these programs
is the Medical Laboratory
Technology, or MLT/ program,
The students spend one year here
at Highacres and another year at
St. Joseph's Hospital in Hazleton
quarterly roundup
ranged around 10 percent.
Industries located in
Lackawanna, Luzerne and
Monroe counties gave strong sup
port to the local economy last
year in the matter of supplying
jobs. A new all-time high point
was reached in the first quarter.
Although the job level sagged in
the second and third quarters,
most of the sage was erased in
the fourth. The year ended with
the job total close to the earlier
peak.
It . was industries other than
manufacturing that provided the
strength. As a group, they sup
plied a monthly average of
168,000 jobs in 1979, up 1,200 from
1978 and a new record. The fac
tories of the area employed fewer
workers than they had in any of
the previous four years—on
average, some 70,400, down 1,800
from 1978.
There is evidence, though, that
despite a reduction in the number
of workers, factory output held
up rather well. The average fac
tory work week held steady at
36.9 hours, which had been the
average in 1978, and was longer
than in earlier years. More elec
tricity was used for industrial
output in 1979 than in several
prior years. By the end of last
year, however, usage was
gaining clinical experience. Un
fortunately, because of limited
laboratory facilities only twelve
students can be accepted in this
program each year. The ad
ministration and faculty are
presently trying to get the MLT
program accredited so more
hospitals will participate in it.
Highacres is the only campus to
offer the MLT program.
The Associate Degree that
seems to offer the highest finan
cial benefits is the Nuclear
Engineering Technology Degree.
This program was started four
years ago when the Chemical
Engineering Associate degree
program was phased out. The
maximum starting salary of a
Penn State NET graduate was
$22,200. Highacres and the Al
toona Campus of Penn State offer
the NET program. Because of re-
relatively low, although the work
wppk had -not yet shortened. A
shorter work- week may
materialize, however. Industrial
use of electricity is measured
over the entire month, whereas
the workweek is recorded at mid
month, and cannot reflect what
happens a week or two later.
More than half of the area's
economic activity takes place in
Luzerne County. There,
mamifactdring jobs have been
dropping in number since 1976.
The drop has cost the county
some 3,300 factory jobs, whereas
the area's net drop in that period
was 1,2 0 0 factory jobs.
Lackawanna County gained 2,100
factory jobs in the interval. On
the other hand, Luzerne gained
more nonmanufacturing jobs
from 1976 to 1979 than did
Lackawanna—some 4,300 in com
parison with 2,800. Otherwise the
two counties shared about the
same economic changes in 1979.
If it is assumed that 1980 will be
a year of mild recession, then this
area can expect a prompt and
parallel turn in its own economic
fortunes. Traditionally, this area
is inclined to be somewhat harder
hit than other Pennsylvania
areas in recession times; but it is
facing this possibility from a
position of strength.
interest
cent controversies concerning
nuclear power, enrollment in the
NET program is currently down.
The record enrollment last fall
resulted from a steady increase
in enrollment in the Associate
Degree Program since 1973. The
enrollment projection is for a
continuing increase for at least
the next five years. In the sum
mer of 1981 Highacres will begin
a two-year program for physical
therapy assistants. This is only
the second program of this sort in
Pennsylvania and the first in the
Penn State system. Another
reason for the increase in enroll
ment is that Highacres offers an
excellent placement service for
two-year degree graduates.
Many companies come here to
recruit the Associate Degree
graduates.
ROTC marches toward
memorable year's end
As the school year ends, so ends
another year for the Highacres
ROTC, a year filled with in
teresting and memorable ac
tivities. One of the first activities
were rides on two UH-I "Huey"
army helicopters. Firing M-16's
and an overnight hike were other
activities partaken. Probably the
most exciting events of the year,
however, were the swimming
lesson and the riot. One may ask,
"How can a swimming lesson be
so interesting?" The answer is
simple. The ROTC participants
wore combat boots, fatigue
uniforms, and web gear; they
carried a simulated M-16 rifle;
and they were blindfolded. To
add to the feat, they had to dive
off of the Highacres gym high
dive. Spectators viewed the event
An ROTC member participates in the swimming drill.
Highaerin Collegian -3
through the hall windows, and,
fortunately, no one drowned. The
riot, which had taken place at
Fort Indiantown Gap, was staged
to give M.P.'s at the fort riot con
trol training. ROTC members
proved themselves to be very
good rioters.
The final activity of the year
will be the Awards Day on May
15. ROTC members will be pre
sent as a forty piece Army band
marches through the campus. All
students and faculty members
are invited to attend.
Also, five Hazleton ROTC
sophomores will attend ROTC
Basic Camp at Fort Knox, Ken
tucky, for six weeks this summer,
where they will be trained in an
assortment of soldierly skills.