News

HARRISBURG -- More than 200 small businesses in Pennsylvania will cut nearly $2 million in expenses from their bottom lines each year with the help of Small Business Advantage Grants that Governor Edward G. Rendell announced today.

The Governor called the grants a sound investment in Pennsylvania’s economy because the first year savings alone—which will also recur in subsequent years—exceed the $1.2 million in grants that were awarded this round.

For more information, the complete press release, and to view the list of Small Business Advantage Grant recipients, visit www.depweb.state.pa.us, keyword: SBAdvantage, or call 717-783-8411.

 

CONTACT:

 

John Repetz, DEP

717-787-1323

Michael Smith, Governor’s Office

717-783-1116

The U.S. Department of Labor - Employment and Training Administration has provided a general overview of the aggregate characteristics, services, and outcomes for the population of Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Adult and Dislocated Workers who have exited the program and received training services between Program Years (PY) 2004 and PY 2008.

Download this full document here.

March 31 - Meet and Greet the GBA Branch of Northwest PA

WASHINGTON — A report released today by the U.S. Department of Labor found that the 2009 Recovery Act Summer Youth Employment Initiative was largely successful in connecting young workers with employment experiences. Overall, 317,000 young people took part in the initiative.

"This summer jobs initiative is a triple win: It gives young people real work experience, provides a measure of relief to those working families who are struggling during tough times and allows employers to give back to their communities," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "Today's report shows that summer youth employment can make meaningful work experiences a reality for young people. The report also provides valuable suggestions on concrete ways to build on this success in 2010."

The report was developed by Mathematica Policy Research and funded by the Department of Labor. Titled "Reinvesting in America's Youth: Lessons from the 2009 Recovery Act Summer Youth Employment Initiative," it analyzes monthly performance data submitted to the department's Employment and Training Administration by states and looks closely at the experiences of 20 select local areas.

Among the report's findings:

Youths were placed in summer jobs, with almost 13 percent of enrollees placed in work experiences outside summer months. Sixty-three percent of participants were in school, largely ages 18 or younger.

Nationwide, local areas reported that nearly 75 percent of youths achieved a measurable increase in their work readiness skills while participating.

Available data show a completion rate for summer work of greater than 82 percent.

Employers interviewed for this study were overwhelmingly positive about the initiative. They reported that the experience of mentoring a new employee was worth the effort and almost unanimously agreed that they would participate again if given the opportunity.

Many youths were enthusiastic about being able to help their families in tough economic times. They also reported that, in the absence of their summer jobs, they would be competing with more experienced adult workers for jobs or doing nothing productive over their summer breaks.

Northwest Pennsylvania information includes  31 youth receiving tuition assistance through individual training accounts, 117 participating in work experiences, and 416 youth taking part in the Summer Youth Employment Program through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  In addition to WIA services, funds were provided to support career development programs through community organizations and schools such as afterschool activities, career and post-secondary training exploration, tutoring and reading programs, peer-to-peer leadership activities, work experience, job shadowing,  focus groups, and juvenile probation programs. 

To view the full report (see page 145 for Key Performance Stats for PA), visit the ETA Occasional Paper Series Web site at http://wdr.doleta.gov/research/keyword.cfm?fuseaction=dsp_resultDetails&pub_id=2436&mp=y.

To provide information regarding the provisions of the HEART Act as they affect Federal employment taxes the document has been made available on the United States Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration (DOLETA) web site.

Application of the Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act of 2008 (HEART Act) to the Provisions of the Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) has recently been added to the ETA Advisory database and is available at http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=2874.

A total of 24 youth from five counties in Northwest PA participated in a Career Day on Friday March 19th. At the end of the event each student received a certificate of completion, gift card, bag, and mini-padfolio. The event was a huge success with coordination by Juanet Hartle and Linda McGranaghan from the VTDC.

View photos from the event.

The 2010 Summer Youth Employment Request for Proposals (RFP) has been released.  For additional information please contact Deb O'Neil at deb@nwpawib.org or via phone at 814-333-1286 x101.

The Northwest Pennsylvania Workforce Investment Board and the Regional Center for Workforce Excellence encourage you to fill out your 2010 Census and mail it back.  We utulize the data and information collected in our applications for state and federal funding on a regular basis.

The ReTool Erie web site has been launched.

Visit www.retoolerie.org for complete information on this collaborative effort between the RCWE, the Erie Community Foundation and the Nonprofit Partnership.

From the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry -

Residents are invited to provide input on Pennsylvania’s strategic direction for vocational rehabilitation services during public meetings being held throughout the state from March 23 through April 8 by the Department of Labor & Industry’s Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, or OVR.

For complete details see the press release.

LOCAL MEETINGS:

ERIE BBVS DISTRICT OFFICE

(Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, Lawrence, McKean, Mercer, Potter, Venango, Warren Counties)

Perkins Family Restaurant
18276 Conneaut Lake Road
Meadville, PA 16335
Date: March 23, 2010
Time: 10:30 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.

 

AND

 

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Conference Room
3100 Lovell Place
Erie, PA 16503
1-866-521-5073 (Voice) / 1-888-884-5513 (TTY)
Date: March 25, 2010
Time: 5:00 P.M. – 6:30 P.M.
Contact Person: Dawn Sokol

ERIE BVRS DISTRICT OFFICE

(Clarion, Crawford, Erie, Forest, Mercer, Venango, and Warren Counties)
Erie District Office Conference Room
3200 Lovell Place
Erie, PA 16503
1-800-541-0721 (Voice) / 1-888-217-1710 (TTY)
Date: March 25, 2010
Time: 1:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M. & 5:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M.
Contact Person: Jack Hewitt or Kim Garnon