Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission Wins International Award for Workforce Development
MIDDLETOWN, Pa. — As a wave of retirements accelerated during and following the COVID-19 pandemic, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (Commission) faced a critical workforce challenge: how to make decades of knowledge and experience accessible to a new generation of employees. In response, the Commission launched the Workforce Development Program to share institutional knowledge and redeploy it in ways that strengthen project delivery and sharpen decision-making.
Now, that commitment to investing in people is earning international recognition. The International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) has named the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission’s Workforce Development Program a 2026 Toll Excellence Award winner in Administration and Finance, recognizing the collaborative approach to strengthening the workforce responsible for delivering the Commission’s $8.29 billion 10-Year Capital Plan.
“We are proud to receive this recognition because it demonstrates our commitment to continuous improvement and how investing in our workforce strengthens both project delivery and the value we provide our customers," said PA Turnpike Commission Chief Engineer Brad Heigel. “By preserving institutional knowledge and developing the next generation of engineers, we are building a strong workforce equipped to make sound decisions, find efficiencies and deliver quality projects for decades to come.”
Launched in 2024, the program provides customized training across four employee-led tracks: technical skills, project management, leadership and internal PA Turnpike resources. The program is already producing measurable results. The Commission reduced its annual Engineering turnover rate by 50% over five years, while helping staff improve processes and identify efficient project delivery approaches. Those efforts contributed to more than $250 million in identified cost-saving measures across current Capital Plan projects, demonstrating how investing in employees can also strengthen the Commission’s stewardship of toll dollars. IBTTA specifically highlighted those savings, along with stronger workforce retention and Capital Plan delivery, in announcing the award.
“Our people are our greatest strength and that is what makes the Commission successful,” said PA Turnpike Commission Chief Administrative Officer Sheri Herbst. “Attracting talented employees is the first step. Then, we need to create a culture where employees want to stay, grow and succeed together. This program demonstrates the impact investing in relationships, collaboration and growth opportunities has on retention."
Amid a national engineering shortage, the Commission added more than 60 employees to its Engineering Department since 2020, with 25% bringing fewer than 10 years of professional experience. To accelerate knowledge transfer, the Commission provided 85 in-person training sessions, 32 field visits and more than 7,500 hours of customized training to more than 100 employees. More than 98% of participants routinely apply skills gained through the program, while employees report spending 44% less time locating resources, saving approximately three hours per employee each week.
“As engineers, we can never stop learning. That’s why providing continuous educational opportunities is a prominent feature of this program,” said Kevin Schuerich, PA Turnpike Commission Assistant Chief Engineer of Design. “We are capturing the knowledge of our experienced employees and giving the next generation opportunities to apply it much earlier in their careers. What we are seeing goes beyond training and really is making a difference in how we are improving our processes and delivering our projects.”
The Workforce Development Program also supports the Commission’s broader goal of becoming America’s First Sustainable Superhighway by 2040. That long-term commitment means responsibly managing infrastructure and financial resources, while developing the workforce necessary to sustain the Commission for future generations.
The Toll Excellence Awards and Outreach, Opportunity and Engagement Award will be formally presented during IBTTA's 94th Annual Meeting & Exhibition in Arlington, Texas, Nov. 12-15, 2026.
A national transportation leader, the Pennsylvania Turnpike (PA Turnpike) is the second largest tolling facility in the United States with the most miles. The PA Turnpike proudly supports safety and convenience for its more than 550,000 daily customers through 24-7 roadside assistance, round-the-clock food and fuel at 17 service plazas and a dedicated maintenance force and State Police Troop. The PA Turnpike’s approximately 1,400-person local workforce is unified in its mission; to operate a safe, reliable, customer-valued toll road system that supports national mobility and commerce. For more information about the PA Turnpike’s mission, vision and values, please visit Home | PA Turnpike.
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Media Contacts:
Marissa Orbanek, Press Secretary: 267-408-5151, morbanek@paturnpike.comCrispin Havener, Assistant Press Secretary: 717-870-2841, chavener@paturnpike.com