Workforce Wayne

May 7, 2010  

NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA –Business, education, community, and government leaders will attend Workforce Wayne’s Fourth Annual meeting, Wednesday, May 19, 2010, from 10:00 am-1:00 pm at Woodloch Springs Clubhouse. Registration will begin at 9:30 am. Lunch will be provided.  

Much has happened since the annual meeting last year, including the successful implementation of the Wall Street West grant and continued sustainability. There have been more than a dozen significant local investors including: The John and Helen Villaume Foundation; Linde Corporation; Wayne Memorial Hospital; WEDCO; PPL; Newfield Foundation; The Wachovia Wells Fargo Foundation; Wayne County Community Foundation; Wayne Bank; Woodloch Pines; Wachovia Community Partners; The Honesdale National Bank; and The Dime Bank.  

Workforce Wayne leveraged these local investments and has recently received a $150,000 grant through the PA Department of Labor and Industry. One-third of the grant is slated for Workforce Wayne to continue working toward a future Career & Technology Center, supporting the Community Career & Training Sites, and promoting community outreach. The bulk of the grant will be awarded by a request for proposals process to increase business training and educational opportunities in the area. 

"Workforce Wayne is building the connections to private and public grant agencies in order to increase the training and skill building of the community," noted Joann Hudak, Ed. D., Director of Secondary Education at Wallenpaupack Area High School and Workforce Wayne Board Vice-Chair. "The news of the Department of Labor and Industry grant is wonderful, and something we can celebrate at the 4th annual meeting this year," she continued. 

The Workforce Wayne partnership includes business, education, employment services, government, economic development and community entities in Wayne and Pike Counties. The partnership has a broad-based framework for workforce development to achieve three overarching goals: strengthen workforce quality, develop career opportunities, and foster a culture of lifelong learning. 

*****Link to meeting presentations directly below******

Jennifer Porter/Dr. Joann Hudak

Dr. Clyde Hornberger

The public is cordially invited to the Workforce Wayne 4^th Annual meeting, Wednesday, May 19, 2010, 9:30 am (registration); 10:00am-1:00pm (program) at Woodloch Springs Clubhouse.  Lunch will be provided. 

Much has happened since the annual meeting last year, including the successful implementation of the Wall Street West grant and continued sustainability.  We have been busy connecting the segments of the Workforce Wayne partnership, including business, education, employment services, government, economic development and community entities in Wayne and Pike Counties.  Thank you to those we’ve met and worked with to date, and those of you who contribute to making the community better every day.   

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Woodloch Springs Clubhouse 

AGENDA

9:30-10:00 am                   General Registration

            Brian Smith, Chairman, Wayne County Commissioners                                                

            Jennifer Porter, Director of Workforce Initiatives, Workforce Wayne

10:10-10:15 am                 Business meeting

           Amendment to by-laws

10:15-10:45 am                 Where we are:  Accomplishments and annual report

          Jennifer Porter, Director of Workforce Initiatives, Workforce Wayne

          Joann Hudak, Ed. D., Director of Secondary Education, Wallenpaupack Area High School

10:45-11:00 am                 Break

11:00-12:00 pm                 Pike & Wayne CTC planning status and vision forward

          Dr. Clyde Hornberger, Executive Director, Lehigh Career and Technical Institute

          Facilitator: Mary Beth Wood, Executive Director, WEDCO

12:00-12:55 pm                 Networking Lunch 

12:55-1:00 pm                   Thank you and Adjourn 

SCORE is looking for community minded individuals (working or retired) who enjoy learning, problem solving and sharing their business knowledge with new and existing businesses.  SCORE members provide business counseling services free of charge to people in the local community. 

Volunteers frequently counsel directly from their home or office.  And, entrepreneurial experience (while helpful), is not essential – SCORE needs volunteers with varied backgrounds including marketing, accounting, operations, human resources, IT, legal, etc. 

The demand for SCORE services currently outweighs the number of SCORE counselors in Wayne and Pike Counties. If you would like to put your talent and experience to work helping your small business neighbors here in Wayne and Pike County call 570-253-1960.  For more information on SCORE, what counselors do, qualifications to become a SCORE volunteer, and how you can help visit www.scorescranton.org

January 2010

Luzerne County Community College is offering new certificate programs in Culinary Arts and Hospitality Business Management in Wayne County.

The new credit programs prepare graduates for direct entry into the industry as well as offer those presently working in the field with opportunities to upgrade their skills and advance their careers.  Classes will be held at Western Wayne High School and Wallenpaupack Area High School.

According to data reported by the Pocono Workforce Investment Board in spring 2009, a total of 321 establishments provide 4,763 jobs in the hospitality, tourism and recreation industry in Wayne and Pike Counties and the number of jobs is estimated to grow 8.3% by 2014.
Jennifer Porter, director of workforce initiatives for Workforce Wayne, notes that local employers are in favor of the new course offerings.  “This is a wonderful opportunity for Wayne County,” says Anthony Manzione, director of human resources for Woodloch Pines, Inc.  “Until now, people have had to travel outside of the county to earn a certificate in Culinary Arts.  Now it will be offered right here in our backyard and the convenience will allow current employees working in the culinary field to further their education,” Manzione adds.  “We are excited about our partnership with Workforce Wayne in this new culinary education program for folks in Wayne County,” says Lenny Tasselmyer of Cove Haven Entertainment Resorts.  He adds, “Our resorts have a long history in the county and we are proud to give something back to support our local community.  We will also encourage our culinary team to take advantage of our tuition reimbursement program to enroll, learn and enhance their skills.”

LCCC will hold a Culinary Information Night at Western Wayne High School on Tuesday, January 12, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.  College representatives will be available to provide information about course offerings, tuition costs, financial aid, educational opportunities and admission procedures.  The Culinary information Night is free and open to the public.

The College will offer two culinary classes in Wayne County for the spring 2010 semester.  Food Sanitation and Safety will be offered on Monday evenings and Soup and Salad Analysis/Production will be offered on Tuesday evenings, at Western Wayne High School, utilizing the school’s renovated, commercial-grade kitchen facilities.

Classes for the spring semester will begin on Tuesday, January 19 and continue through the first week of May.

For more information, call LCCC at 740-0478 or (800) 377-LCCC, extension 478.