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NWPA WIA Receives $262, 800 from PA Dept. of Labor & Industry as part of AGA Round 1 Announcement

Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Through Announcements of Grant Availability (AGA) Round 1, the PA Department of Labor & Industry has invested Recovery Act funds to support targeted and innovative workforce development activities to the Northwest Pennsylvania Workforce Investment Area (WIA). Awards are based upon the availability of funds. Information below details our total award of $262,800.


RoboBOTS: Pipeline Development for the Careers of Tomorrow

Grantor: Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry

Amount: $62,800
RoboBOTS is a highly successful, innovative education and training program that prepares youth for high-demand and emerging careers while meeting the employer-identified skill needs of the advanced manufacturing industry. The RoboBOTS curriculum unleashes the creative potential of mathematical reasoning, scientific analysis, and the clear articulation of ideas by engaging students in grades 7-12 in hands-on invention and teamwork that focuses on real world skills through the process of creating competitive robots. The program also allows students to connect directly with local manufacturing employers for exposure to career opportunities, provides professional development for educators, and generates a great deal of enthusiasm and education in the community—particularly for the annual regional competition.


Oracle ERP Training
Grantor: Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry
Amount: $200,000
The Regional Center for Workforce Excellence (RCWE) and the Penn State Behrend College in Erie are collaborating on an initiative in high-demand Oracle Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) training. This training and workforce development initiative will have far-reaching economic and competitiveness impacts.  Oracle Corporation currently has more than 30,000 application customers, including some of the country’s largest employers, with more than 3,500 application partners. Through this grant, dislocated workers will receive guidance on the training opportunity at the PA CareerLink® and through targeted marketing efforts of Penn State Erie’s Continuing Education office. Potential dislocated worker Oracle trainees will receive WorkKeys assessments at the PA CareerLink® to gauge their readiness for training, as well as be connected with any supportive services, referrals, and additional resources to help them succeed. Incumbent workers will be supported through services at the Penn State Erie Continuing Education Department, where staff will assist those enrolling in the training to complete an assessment to indicate their capacity for entering the training. In addition, scholarships will be provided to support individuals who enroll in the Oracle ERP training, which will be supplied by the PA CareerLink® and Regional Center for Workforce Excellence through this grant.


To view a complete summary of AGA Round 1 Receipients from across the Commonwealth click here.

The PA CareerLink - Erie County Will Be Moving to the RCWE Building in Downtown Erie June 29th

Monday, June 14, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The PA CareerLink® - Erie County is moving to its new location at 155 West 8th Street, Erie, PA  16501 (South East corner of 8th and Sassafras Streets) in the heart of downtown Erie.

 

The offices will be closed to the public on Friday, June 25, 2010 and Monday, June 28, 2010.  The offices will reopen to the public on Tuesday, June 29, 2010 at 8:30 a.m. 

All telephone numbers will remain the same.

We are excited about continuing our mission of promoting “economic growth by providing quality employment resources for job seekers and employers’’ in one convenient location.

Please spread the word!

For any additional information please contact the PA CareerLink® - Erie County at 814-455-9966.

 

ETA Research Papers Program - College Students Encouraged to Attend

Sunday, June 06, 2010
The U.S. Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration (DOL/ETA), Division of Contract Services is soliciting offers for original research papers of interest to the public workforce investment system as part of the 2010 ETA Research Papers Program. DOL intends to award 8-12 contracts. The total combined value of all contracts is estimated at $70,000-90,000. The research attained through the 2010 Research Papers Program will provide innovative ideas to those on the front-line of service delivery in the public workforce investment system within the DOL/ETA. The period of performance for the resultant contracts will be one year. The NAICS Code for this requirement is 541720 and the size standard is $7,000,000. This procurement is a total small business set-aside. Students, particularly those from Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-Serving Colleges and Universities, and Native American/Tribal Colleges and Universities, are encouraged to submit offers.


View the complete FedBizOpps Solicitation Notice here.

New Labor & Industry Grant Will Support Basic Education and Machining Careers in Northwest PA

Wednesday, June 02, 2010

ABLE: Career Pathways for Machining Occupations


 

 

Employers in Northwest Pennsylvania and across the State have consistently reported a great need for their workers and new hires to strengthen their adult basic literacy skills. This project will address those critical training needs through a new partnership between the region’s Adult Basic Literacy and Education providers (ABLE) and the five PA CareerLinks® in the Northwest Workforce Investment Area. Working with experienced educators, case managers, and employers of the Advanced Diversified Manufacturing Industry Partnership, ABLE providers will adapt curriculum for skills most in-demand in the industry for machining occupations.

Machining occupations are growing, and local employers have indicated that they will have positions opening over the next two years. Machining occupations also primarily pay family sustaining wages and have strong career lattices for advancement. Basic skills included in ABLE curriculums, even for entry level machining positions, are essential to an employee’s ability to perform effectively in a manufacturing environment. Incumbent workers, especially in entry-level positions, can significantly increase their retention or advancement by upgrading their basic skills. Over the next two years, this program will serve an estimated 188 individuals to further their ability to secure, retain, or advance in a machining-related job or to enter into higher-level training.

The unique aspect of the ABLE training to be conducted through this project is the contextualization of learning, along with an employer-driven curriculum. Working with the PA CareerLinks®, ABLE providers will conduct “on-demand” trainings that can be adapted for an individual based upon assessments, case management, and an employee’s needs. Participants may take only one class up to multiple classes. In addition to the ABLE training modules, some individuals in the program will also have the opportunity to work with an employer to enroll in customized training that is geared toward a machining-related occupation or skill. This project will also serve to connect more employers and individuals to PA CareerLink® services, as well as forge an even stronger relationship between the region’s ABLE providers and the workforce development system.    

Dr. Richard Gacka, the ABLE liaison in the development of this grant, has extensive experience in workforce preparation programs having served as Director of the 17 county Tech Prep and School to Work consortiums for 5 years. In that position, he was instrumental in the development of articulation agreements between three local colleges and local high school and AVTS programs. He also served as a psychological examiner for the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation for over 30 years. He has extensive experience in the area of assessment and is familiar with WorkKeys and several NRS approved instruments utilized by ABLE.  He is the Director of the PA ABLE Learning Differences Project, a statewide ABLE Leadership Project that coordinates statewide professional development training in the areas of Learning Disabilities.Currently, he is the Director of Educational Services for Stairways Behavioral Health and was instrumental in the acquisition of Impact Grant funding during the 2008-09 program year.

The goal of the Impact project was to extend GED level studies to include transitioning to post-secondary instruction or employment. As chairperson of the ABLE Providers Coalition, he interacts directly with administrators from thirteen ABLE funded programs. Several coalition agencies provide instructional and/or assessment services inside PA CareerLinks® in the Northwest region. As chair of the Northwest Coalition, Dr. Gacka will serve as a liaison with the grant and as an advisor regarding assessment and educational services.

The grant is made possible by a $150,000 award from the PA Department of Labor & Industry, Round 2 “Announcement of Grant Availability” or AGA.

2010 Youth Awards Luncheon Recap

Wednesday, June 02, 2010


The 2010 Youth Awards Luncheon took place on June 14, 2010 at the Riverside Inn in Cambridge Springs, PA. 


The Winners Were as Follows:
Outstanding Educational Partner of the Year –
St. John’s Holy Rosary (Erie)

 Outstanding Community Partner of the Year –
School to Work Partnership (Warren)

Outstanding Employer of the Year –
Structural Modulars, Inc. (Clarion)

Outstanding TANF Youth of the Year –
Tiajah Jones (Erie)

Outstanding Industry Club Participant of the Year –
Mary Lohitai (Erie)

Outstanding WIA Older Youth Participant of the Yea –
Audriana McCool (Venango)

Outstanding WIA Younger Youth Participant of the Year –
Patrick Seitz (Clarion)

 For a complete list of nominees see the Program from the event here.

 

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RCWE Staff Profile: Lynette Watkins

Wednesday, June 02, 2010

RCWE Staff Profile: Lynette Watkins

Lynette Watkins began her employment with the Regional Center for Workforce Excellence in July 2008.  She was hired as a Clerical Assistant and quickly transitioned into the role of Executive Assistant/Administrative Services Coordinator in August 2008. As an Executive Assistant to CEO Michele Zieziula, Lynette was able to demonstrate her strengths as a communicator and showed her ability to coordinate multiple groups of people and projects both internally and externally. 

In late 2009, Lynette accepted the position of Operations Coordinator within the organization, a role that embraces her strengths as a professional with skills in team building and cross-communication between RCWE Staff, Northwest Pennsylvania Workforce Investment Board members and members of the Northwest Pennsylvania regional workforce development network.

She is a native of Saegertown, Pennsylvania and has an extensive background in the real estate industry.  In 1998, Lynette served as the President of the Greater Meadville Board of Realtors.  For a two-year period in 1997 and 1998, she served on the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors (PAR) Board of Directors. Through her participation on the PAR's board, she served on various state committees gaining the experience that has helped her to foster and maintain seamless integration of the Northwest Pennsylvania Workforce Investment Board members and the RCWE staff.  

 

 

US Department of Labor - Career Videos Challenge

Tuesday, June 01, 2010

The U.S. Department of Labor has kicked-off of the first phase of the Career Videos for America's Job Seekers Challenge, which invites members of the public to produce and submit one to three minute videos focusing on the daily activities of one of 15 high-wage and in-demand occupations, with the goal of providing greater visibility for selected occupations and increased numbers of workers seeking training and placement in these areas.  The creators of the top video in each category will win a $1,000 cash prize. 

Workforce3 One hosted a Webinar in May 2010, highlighting the Challenge.  To view a recording of the Webinar or read the transcript, go to: http://www.workforce3one.org/view/5001012451045023883/info


For more information about the Challenge, go to: http://www.dol.gov/dol/videochallenge.htm

RFP Released for NW PAGE Industry Partnership Facilitator

Friday, May 28, 2010

The Northwest Pennsylvania Workforce Investment Board and the RCWE has released the following Request for Proposals document: 

Northwest Pennsylvania Green Economy Taskforce (NW PAGE) Industry Partnership (IP) Facilitator

Due Date:

June 16, 2010

4:00 PM EST

Contract Period:

June 23, 2010 to June 30, 2011



For additional information please contact Nick Hoffman, Green Systems Coordinator at 814.333.1286 x115 or via email at nhoffman@nwpawib.org.

Fisher & Ludlow, Inc. Named as Employer of the Year at PA Partners 2010 Conference

Monday, May 24, 2010

L to R: RCWE CEO Michele Zieziula, Fisher & Ludlow Plant Manager Mark Diehl, Acting Deputy Secretary for the PA Dept of Labor & Industry Bob Garraty and RCWE Outreach Specialist and Crawford County Business Service Representative Connie Frantz.

Fisher & Ludlow, Inc., a subsidiary of NUCOR Steel based in Crawford County was awarded both the Governor's Achievement Award for the Northwest Pennsylvania region and the distinguished Employer of the Year Award during the Awards Luncheon at the 2010 PA Partners Conference held at the Hershey Lodge in Hershey, PA. 

The company currently employs 60 people - an increase of 60% since early 2007.  Most recruiting and hiring ocurs through the PA CareerLink® system, with several new hires qualifying for on-the-job training (OJT) contracts.

Under the leadership of Plant Manager Mark Diehl, Fisher & Ludlow continues to expand its physical plant and the number of its employees including welders and machine operators.  All employees are cross-trained.  Using the resources of the former Metals and Metal Manufacturing Industry Partnership, Fisher & Ludlow provides employees with subsidized training.

In creating a more safety-minded, quality-conscious company, Fisher & Ludlow implemented a state-certified safety committee, which resulted in earning the Safety & Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) award from the PA Department of Labor & Industry - the first and only award received in Crawford County.  The company also achieved a milestone in "no lost time due to accidents."

Workers who are also volunteer firefighters receive free Emergency Medical Transport (EMT) training paid by the llocal municipality.  Fisher & Ludlow offers to pay wages for this training if it takes place during an employee's normal work hours.

Going "above and beyond" exemplifies Fisher & Ludlow's efforts to maintain employee morale, company growth and community participation despite the harsh economic climate.

Pennsylvania Way to Work Initiative Northwest Materials

Tuesday, May 18, 2010
From the PA Workforce web site:

Pennsylvania Way to Work is a statewide initiative that will provide 100 percent gross wage subsidies for private, not-for-profit and public employers.
 
Through Pennsylvania Way to Work, the departments of Labor & Industry and Public Welfare will use federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF Emergency funds available through the federal Recovery Act to provide an estimated 20,000 employment opportunities for youth and adults through Sept. 30, 2010.

Employers are urged to call 1-866-858-2753 for more information on participating in the Pennsylvania Way to Work Program.
 
Way to Work - Northwest PA FAQ's

    









Way to Work - Northwest PA Flyer












Further information can be obtained here.

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