Open since July 5, 2011, the Sunbury office resulted from a merger of PA CareerLink^® locations in Shamokin and Selinsgrove. The centralized Sunbury location provides convenient access to a large number of job seekers and employers from the three-county area.

The Open House coincides with the January 1, 2012 implementation of the work search requirement for all new unemployment compensation (UC) claimants. Act 6 of 2011, signed into law by Governor Corbett on June 17, 2011, requires UC claimants to demonstrate that they are actively searching for work in order to maintain their eligibility for weekly benefits. All new claimants are required to register for employment services with the Pennsylvania CareerLink^® system (www.cwds.state.pa.us) within 30 days of applying for benefits and then may choose several ways, including accessing additional PA CareerLink^® services, to meet and document weekly requirements.

PA CareerLink^® staff can help employers understand how these new requirements may affect their applicant pool and what services are available to help them best match qualified workers to open positions.

PA CareerLink^® staff provides personalized assistance for individuals preparing for and locating employment opportunities through job search resources, interactive job preparation workshops and career assessments including the ability to earn a National Career Readiness Certificate powered by WorkKeys^®. A wide range of employment-related services to help all employers locate, recruit, screen and hire qualified candidates are available, including labor market information, staff assistance to market job openings, job matching to identify qualified, skilled workers and job seeker screening.

Regular business hours for the Sunbury location are Monday 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and Wednesday 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. More information is available at www.pacareerlink.state.pa.us or by calling 570.988.7300. In cooperation with the City of Sunbury, complementary customer parking is located adjacent to the building.

Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Equal Opportunity Employer.

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Click here to view a PDF version of the press release.

Munro’s resignation was accepted with regret at the CPWDC December 16, 2011 public Executive Committee meeting. Munro then spoke of CPWDC’s many opportunities and successes during the 12 years she worked in the business, including the receipt of millions of dollars in competitive grants for workforce projects and the introduction of the Career Readiness Certificate powered by WorkKeys^® that is available in the PA CareerLink^® offices across Central Pennsylvania. She also said that she has been fortunate to work with a talented group of individuals from across the region and many of whom have served on the CPWDC board and various committees.

According to Teri MacBride, PPL’s Susquehanna Region Community Relations Director who presently serves as Board Vice-Chair and will assume the position of Chair of the Board in 2012, a search committee for the Executive Director has been formed and will meet in early January. MacBride said, “our customers are our priority and they will notice no impact during what I expect to be a short leadership transition. I’m pleased that Rachel has accepted the responsibility to lead us during the next few months. Shannon and Rachel have worked together to create and manage the organization for more than ten years. I am certain that CPWDC will continue to successfully operate with a high level of productivity.”

MacBride continued, “a major benefit to our region has been the diversification of funding that has been secured during Shannon’s tenure. We have been positioned to be one of the Workforce Investment Boards (WIB) from across the country that is not entirely dependent on federal resources from the Workforce Investment Act. Having an extensive portfolio allows CPWDC to be more flexible and adjust to current needs. While Workforce Investment Act funding to support PA CareerLink^® operations represents a portion of funding, the Board will continue to seek opportunities to enhance workforce initiatives particularly in this challenged economy.”

Outgoing chairperson Jamie Aurand said “Shannon will really be missed. She was a founding member of the non-profit company. Over the years, and under Shannon’s leadership, CPWDC has been successful at obtaining competitive grants aligned with its mission to develop and retain a quality labor force in Central Pennsylvania. While Workforce Investment Act funding has continued to decline as a result of federal funding cuts, Shannon has been instrumental in securing those additional funds. When difficult decisions had to be made because of federal funding cuts to PA CareerLink^® programs, Shannon provided solid, research-based and consistent information so that the Board could make the decisions necessary to remain within budget.”

CPWDC serves as the local WIB for Centre, Clinton, Columbia, Lycoming, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder and Union Counties. CPWDC has been in business since 1999 and is responsible for coordinating and developing a workforce system in this nine-county region of Central Pennsylvania. CPWDC is one of 22 local WIBs across the Commonwealth.

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Chairperson Jamie Aurand publicly announced the award during the November 18, 2011 quarterly Central Pennsylvania Workforce Investment Board meeting. “This grant represents a major accomplishment for CPWDC to be one of 36 organizations across the country competitively selected to participate in a four-year project to build the capacity of the workforce in Centre, Clinton, Columbia, Lycoming, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder and Union Counties.”

The funding was received under the US Department of Labor’s H-1B Technical Skills Training Grant Competition to support high-growth fields in which employers are currently using the H-1B nonimmigrant visa program to hire foreign workers.

In the October 3 announcement awarding $159 million, U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Hilda Solis said, “These grants are an important part of the administration’s efforts to help ensure that our workers have the chance to succeed in new and emerging fields, and that growing businesses have access to the skilled American workforce they need.”

Even amidst unprecedented unemployment in Central Pennsylvania over the past 24 months, employers repeatedly cite difficulty finding qualified technical workers. “We are thrilled about this unique opportunity to work with our partners – the region’s colleges and universities, Chambers of Commerce and the employer community — to respond directly to the needs of the region’s economy” said Shannon Munro, CPWDC’s Executive Director. “Through the awarding of scholarships and intensive career coaching, this grant will help at least 200 individuals acquire additional credentials or degrees beyond their current post-secondary education. The grant program will target long-term unemployed workers who are most in need of skill upgrades to compete in the labor market.”

The grant will allow CPWDC and Dr. David DeLong, a nationally recognized workforce researcher and consultant, to work alongside local companies to manage internal talent through skill training and knowledge acquisition for current employees.

Grant activities are expected to begin in early 2012. Employers and job seekers interested in learning more about this program should contact their local PA CareerLink^® office (www.pacareerlink.state.pa.us) or CPWDC (www.cpwdc.org).

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Click here to view a PDF version of the press release.

CPWDC is currently accepting applications for a Grant Project Coordinator. Click here to view the job description.

Initially funds will be used to hire five crews of 6 laborers to clean debris, rebuild damaged structures and performing general grounds work. More may be filled as additional projects are identified and more funding is secured. Temporary full-time employees will be hired for up to six months. All participants will receive training including OSHA, First Aid/CPR and chainsaw training and receive PA CareerLink^® services throughout the program.

According to Penny Hess, program coordinator for the grant, “these funds represent a win-win for our communities affected by the September flooding. We can provide some temporary relief and job search assistance to individuals struggling to find employment in this economy while supplying the much needed labor to support cleanup efforts across the region.”

By working with the County Commissioners, local governments, County Conservation Districts and County Emergency Management Agencies, over 30 potential projects, ranging from those to be completed in days to those that will require months of work, have already been identified across the region.

Individuals interested in learning more about the temporary positions should contact their local PA CareerLink^®. Local contact information can be found at www.pacareerlink.state.pa.us. Nonprofit organizations and public agencies interested in securing cleanup assistance for flood-related projects can contact Penny Hess at 570.387.6288.

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry is coordinating the grant effort across six workforce investment areas in Pennsylvania through National Emergency Grant (NEG) funds issued by the US Department of Labor.

Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.  Equal Opportunity Employer.

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Click here to view a PDF version of the press release.

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