For convenience, job seekers can access services at 3081 Enterprise Drive, State College where PA CareerLink® Centre County will co-locate with South Hills School of Business and Technology at their Cato Park location or visit 252 Match Factory Place in Bellefonte (next to Jackson Hewitt). Before and after the transition, PA CareerLink® Centre County can be reached by calling 814-272-5465.
Services will continue to be available at the Benner Pike location through Wednesday, June 19. During a brief transition period, the site will be closed on Thursday, June 20 and Friday, June 21. Online job services at www.jobgateway.pa.gov will not be interrupted. Those visiting their local libraries to use computers to access online services during the transition are reminded that a driver’s license or library card may be required for Internet access.
Margie Eby, PA CareerLink® Administrator, stated that the hours of operation for the new locations will be Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to noon in State College and Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Bellefonte. During these hours, job seekers will be able to use the computer lab for job searches, complete applications for local employment opportunities and learn about PA CareerLink® services.
According to Eby, “These changes come about as part of our plan to better serve both job seekers and area businesses in this age of increasing online information. The hours and locations were selected to allow general access, but also, special personal attention by appointment during other times.” Eby added that job seekers who want to use the unemployment compensation courtesy phone may visit the Bellefonte location during the “open to the general public” hours previously listed.
PA CareerLink® staff provides personalized assistance for individuals preparing for and locating employment opportunities and employment-related services to help any employers locate, recruit, screen and hire qualified candidates.

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

CONTACT:

RACHEL SMITH, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
570.568.6868
RSMITH@CPWDC.ORG
MARGIE EBY, PA CAREERLINK® ADMINISTRATOR
814-272-5465 EXT. 240
MEBY@TIU11.ORG

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 In response to the unexpected closure of LH Distribution and Fenco Technical, PA CareerLink^® Clinton County has been and continues to be available to assist workers during their career transitions.

“While it is always our preference to begin transition conversations prior to the effective date of a plant closure, the PA CareerLink^® has been in active response mode since the news broke,” said Rachel Smith, Executive Director of the Central Pennsylvania Workforce Development Corporation (CPWDC), which oversees six PA CareerLink^® offices in Central Pennsylvania.

The PA CareerLink^® staff has scheduled several special events to specifically address the former employees of LH Distribution and Fenco Technical, along with providing daily services to the general public.

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry’s Rapid Response Coordination Services is coordinating an information session for Thursday, June 27, 2013 at 10 a.m. at the Dunnstown Fire Company located at 119 Woodward Ave in Lock Haven. Letters containing details on the information session will be mailed directly to affected workers; no pre-registration is required. According to Thomas Werstler, the regional Rapid Response representative, the information session will provide an overview of PA CareerLink^® services and the registration process to search for and apply to available job openings through Pennsylvania’s JobGateway^TM (www.jobgateway.pa.gov). Representatives from the Bureau of Unemployment Compensation will also present information on applying for benefits and complying with Pennsylvania’s work search requirements.

Before or after attending the Rapid Response information session, affected employees are encouraged to visit the PA CareerLink^® Clinton County located at 8 North Grove Street in Lock Haven to receive personalized assistance to discuss local job opportunities, develop a résumé, practice interview techniques, brush up on skills or research opportunities for education and training. The PA CareerLink^® Clinton County is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Bruce Jones, PA CareerLink^® Administrator, emphasizes that searching for a job does not have to be a lonely process. PA CareerLink^® staff will facilitate a special job club on June 24 at 10 a.m. geared toward individuals just beginning their job search. Participants will develop an individualized job search plan and have the opportunity to gain support for others looking to re-enter the workforce. Pre-registration is required by calling 570-893-4022.

Smith emphasized, “While the physical appearance of the PA CareerLink^® Clinton County may appear smaller after recent right-sizing of the Grove Street location, the commitment to quality service delivery in Clinton County remains a huge priority of the CPWDC and the PA CareerLink^® staff. Even when the site’s public hours change to 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, on July 1, 2013, residents of Clinton County can be assured that the hours of operation will support continued service delivery to the general public along with customized services to employers and job seekers by appointment during the afternoon hours.”

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

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Services will continue to be available at the Tenny Street location through Wednesday, March 27^th. During a brief transition period, the site will be closed on Thursday, March 28^th and Friday, March 29^th but job seekers can continue to access job search services online at www.jobgateway.state.pa.us. Those visiting their local libraries are reminded that a driver’s license or library card may be required for Internet access.

Sue Snyder, PA CareerLink^® Administrator, commented that the hours of operation for the new location will be Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. During these hours, job seekers will be able to use the computer lab for job search, complete applications for local employment opportunities, and learn about PA CareerLink^® services. From 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the site will continue provide unemployment compensation (UC) phone and computer access.

According to Snyder, “the hours of operation will allow us to support the needs of the general public while remaining flexible with our staff and space to customize responses to specific needs identified by employers and job seekers by appointment only during the afternoon hours.” For customer convenience, services will continue to be offered to the general public until 4:30 p.m. daily at the PA CareerLink^® Northumberland/Snyder/Union Counties in Sunbury.

PA CareerLink^® staff provides personalized assistance for individuals preparing for and locating employment opportunities and employment-related services to help any employers locate, recruit, screen and hire qualified candidates.

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.

The Central Pennsylvania Workforce Development Corporation (CPWDC) was able to support this program, valued at $2,500 per person, at no cost to the job seekers through a grant received from the PA Department of Labor and Industry utilizing funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The program is endorsed by Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc, Central Pennsylvania Chapter.

Over several weeks, participants moved through a series of activities to develop skills and knowledge required for construction employment or additional training in the construction industry. In addition to career coaching provided by PA CareerLink^® staff, the following instructors conducted industry-relevant classroom training to assist the job seekers:

• Dave Remick, President of Associated Builders and Contractors, Central Pennsylvania Chapter
• Wayne Sheppard, Assistant Professor of Construction Management at the Pennsylvania College of Technology, and
• Craig Shaffer, President of Safety Works, Inc.

Graduates earned nationally-recognized NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research) credentials by completing modules in Introduction to Blueprints, Introduction to Construction Math and Your Role in the Green Environment. Additionally, each graduate earned a National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) by taking WorkKeys^® assessments in Applied Mathematics, Locating Information and Reading for Information. The NCRC assists job seekers in demonstrating workplace skills needed to succeed in the job.

FIT 4 Careers programs are elite, intense learning sessions with strict requirements that demand defined soft skill behaviors, such as 100% on time attendance, to attain graduation. A high attrition rate is expected as participants learn more about the realities of the industry. Eight (8) participants graduated this session from a starting class of 24. Because the graduates have demonstrated a commitment to the program and increased their skills, they participated in an “invitation-only” networking fair with 7 local employers immediately following the ceremony.

An Information Session for FIT 4 Health Care will be held at the PA CareerLink^® Northumberland/Snyder/Union Counties on April 18th at 10 am. For more information, please call 988-7300. Additional FIT 4 Careers programs are scheduled for other PA CareerLink^® locations between now and June 30, 2012. Click here to learn more or visit your local PA CareerLink^® office (Click here for locations).

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.

MacBride explained that Smith’s workforce experience and knowledge of Central Pennsylvania made her the winning candidate in the national search. “The 41-member Board of Directors of the CPWDC is confident in Smith’s leadership and vision for the organization. She understands the operations, the policy and the key players in the workforce development arena. During her tenure, Smith has been critical in expanding CPWDC’s strategic portfolio by securing millions of dollars in competitive grants and developing CPWDC’s internal research department which provides labor market support to other workforce investment areas, economic developers and employers.”

Smith intends to position CPWDC as the visible leader in cultivating a regional conversation about workforce issues. “In addition to the important oversight we provide to the region’s six PA CareerLink^® facilities, CPWDC has expertise and dedicated staff to be a key partner in planning, executing and evaluating workforce solutions. I am excited to build on the organization’s strong foundation and relationships with many local and regional partners”, Smith stated. Regardless of economic conditions, the importance of having a qualified workforce never goes away. Smith and her team will continue to think critically about the next generation of workforce development.

CPWDC serves as the local Workforce Investment Board (WIB) for Centre, Clinton, Columbia, Lycoming, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder and Union Counties. CPWDC, incorporated in 1999, is responsible for coordinating and developing Central Pennsylvania’s workforce system. CPWDC is one of 22 local WIBs across the Commonwealth.

Smith is a graduate of Middleburg High School, Shippensburg University and Virginia Tech, where she earned her Master’s degree in Public Administration. Smith resides with her family in Union County.

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

The LEO Board works in tandem with the Central Pennsylvania Workforce Investment Board (WIB),
incorporated as the Central Pennsylvania Workforce Development Corporation (CPWDC), a 501c3 nonprofit
organization, to oversee the regional public workforce system, including six strategically located PA
CareerLink^® facilities.

Otis Riden, Mifflin County Commissioner since 2006, was elected by his peers to serve a two-year term
as the Chairman of the LEO Board. Riden, a lifelong resident of Mifflin County, had a 40-year career with
New Holland, one of the largest farm machinery manufacturers in the world. Upon assuming this role as
LEO Board Chairman, Riden stated, “I am honored to serve in this capacity and look forward to working
closely with my fellow LEO Board members; WIB leadership Teri MacBride, Chair, and Dave Zartman,
Vice Chair; and CPWDC staff to promote, support and strengthen efforts to increase the employability of
the region’s workforce. Combining the expertise of public and private sector representatives allows the
system to be responsive to the needs of employers while maintaining accountability.”

Also elected during the reorganizational meeting were LEO Vice Chairman Dave Kovach, Columbia
County and LEO Second Vice Chairman, Robert “Pete” Smeltz, Clinton County.

The LEO Board plays a critical role in appointing qualified individuals, the majority of which are key
decision makers in private businesses, to serve on the Workforce Investment Board. The LEO Board also
provides oversight of CPWDC’s $13.5 million budget, which includes Workforce Investment Act,
Department of Public Welfare and competitive grant funds to meet the workforce needs of job seekers
and employers.

About CPWDC
CPWDC’s mission is to be the leading vehicle for regional unification, coordination, integration and
alignment of workforce activities, resources and initiatives to support economic sustainability, improve
education systems and develop and retain a quality labor force in Central Pennsylvania. For more
information on CPWDC, including information on qualifications for prospective WIB members, visit
www.cpwdc.org.

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