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Events & News
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LCCC offers new Wayne County courses |
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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. |
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Your Business & Marcellus Shale--Voices of Experience |
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"Your Business & Marcellus Shale: Voices of Experience" live 4-week webinar series offered in partnership with Penn State Cooperative Extension Office, Wayne Economic Development Corporation, & Wayne County Chamber of Commerce. Held at the Park Street Complex, Honesdale, 8-9:30am on: January 27, 2010 February 3, 2010 February 10, 2010 February 17, 2010 Cost is $20 for entire series. Contact the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce to register: 570-253-1960 or
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Workforce Wayne Awards Mini Grants |
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The Pike/Wayne Business Education Partnership, faciliated by Workforce Wayne, recently awarded 25 Mini-grants for Teachers totaling $11,375.50. Any preschool, elementary, or secondary teachers, guidance counselor, school nurse of librarian employed by Delaware Valley, Wallenpaupack Area, Wayne Highlands, and Western Wayne was encouraged to apply for a mini-grant. Projects or activities were asked to address one of the following goals to be considered for a grant by Workforce Wayne: Promote career awareness in students and help to improve the skills necessary to enter the labor market. Develop career and technical education which addresses local job skill needs. Familarize students with career options emphasizing the dignity of each.
Additionally, projects were asked to integrate one or more of the following: Broaden and foster cooperation between and among the community and the schools. Promote projects that involve parents in the education of our children. Provide decision making opportunities and leadership experience which builds confidence and self-esteem of students. Help students develop pride in themselves, their school, and their community.
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Workforce Wayne thanks supporters |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Via e-mail
For more information contact:
Jennifer Porter
Director of Workforce Initiatives
Workforce Wayne
570.253.5334
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November 30, 2009 Workforce Wayne thanks supporters, recaps 2009 and lays out its vision forward The press and the community are invited for refreshments and a short press event on Thursday, December 3rd, 4pm at the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce Community Room 
Workforce Wayne at a recent community forum (L-R): Robert Brenne, Intern; Lyndsay Birmelin; Workforce Coordinator; Jennifer Porter, Director of Workforce Initiatives; Paula Fritz, Pike County Workforce Coordinator; Anthony Manzione, Woodloch Pines, Inc. and Workforce Wayne Board of Directors. NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA –
Workforce Wayne gives thanks publicly this Thursday, December 3rd at 4pm at the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce Community Room to those who have singed onto its Community Compact Agreement to show commitments to the Workforce Wayne mission. The organization will also recap its busy 2008-2009 and accomplishments achieved during the WIRED/Wall Street West grant period, and lay out the plans for moving forward in 2010 and beyond.
The Community Compact Agreement is the way organizations or individuals sign up to show support for Workforce Wayne by any or all of the following: Pledge financial investment; Post an employer profile website survey on the searchable web database; Host an intern/job shadowing student; Speak to a career class; Create/enhance employee training; Participate on a committee, including Outreach or the Pike/Wayne Business Education Partnership; Provide industry expertise; or Other assistance.
Thanks to supporters
There have been dozens of organizations or individuals who have signed a Workforce Wayne Community Compact Agreement or posted an Employer Profile Website survey, including: Ameriprise Financial Services, BD Chapman Insurance Agency, Bold Gold Media Group, Caesars Cove Haven, Cellular One of NEPA, Cherry Ridge Realty, Chesapeake Energy, Delaware Highlands Conservancy, Dept. Of Corrections: SCI-Waymart, Devereux Pocono Center, Diakon Hospice St. John, Hamlin Vet Clinic, Honesdale Borough, Honesdale EMS, Honesdale National Bank*, Horsemankind, Howell, Howell & Krause, Human Resource Center, Karen Anne Geiger Associates, Kathy's License Service, Kiley Associates LLC, Lackawanna College, Lakeside Elementary School, Linde Corporation***, Northampton Community College, Olsommer-Clarke Insurance Group, Inc., Pauls Garage, Pennstar, Penn State University, PPL**, RE/MAX WAYNE, Rent-E-Quip, Inc., Skip Mendler, The Dime Bank, The Settlers Inn, The Wilshinsky Group at Smith Barney, The John & Helen Villaume Foundation****, Wachovia Community Partners*, Wallenpaupack Area School District, Wallenpaupack Area Middle School, Waste Management, Wayne Bank*, Wayne County, Wayne County Assistance Office, Wayne County Career Link, Wayne County Chamber of Commerce, Wayne County Green Party Committee, Wayne County Historical Society, Wayne County Job Training, Wayne County MH/MR/EI, WEDCO**, Wayne Highlands School District, Wayne Library Authority, Wayne Memorial Hospital***, Wayne-Pike Adult Literacy Program, Western Wayne School District, Woodloch Pines, Inc.*. (Significant financial investments: ****$20,000, ***$5,000, **$2,500, *1,000)
“PPL is investing in Workforce Wayne because it supports workforce development which is linked to economic development. We are very pleased with how much Workforce Wayne has accomplished in such a short period of time” noted Paul Canevari, PPL Regional Community Relations Director.
Did you know??
- Pike and Wayne Counties are 2 of 3 counties in the state without a Career and Technology Center (CTC), a vital student and adult workforce training center.
- Most jobs of the future require some post-high school training. Only 12% will require a 4-year degree.
- With a CTC here, up to five times more students could be in career and technical education training compared to now. Our adult population would also be able to train at the CTC.
- By the number employed, retail is the #1 industry for Wayne County and the #2 industry for Pike County.
- 96% of parents in our area want to see a technical or trade school located here.
- More than three quarters of parents in our area would likely encourage their student to attend a Career & Technical Center if it were built to serve Wayne/Pike students.
Workforce Wayne developed in 2008-2009 as a new 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization of business, education, government, economic development, employment services, and community entities in the Wayne and Pike County region that is working toward an effective workforce delivery system through developing career opportunities; strengthening skills in the workforce; and supporting life long learning. Workforce Wayne is a Wall Street West sub-grantee, and this program is funded in part by a Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) grant from the U.S. Department of Labor.
Recap of 2008-2009
Since Fall 2008, Workforce Wayne’s Director of Workforce Initiatives (Jennifer Porter) and Workforce Coordinator (Lyndsay Birmelin) have been working with local leaders in business, education, government, economic development, employment services, and community entities. Pike/Wayne Business Education Partnership Coordinator (Paula Fritz) began connecting formally with Pike County in Q4 2009.
Workforce Wayne achieved its 501(c)(3) non-profit organization status as of March 9, 2009.
As an evolution of the Action Committee which was in place from 2005-2009, the first Workforce Wayne Board of Directors was appointed at the 3rd Annual Meeting in May 2009, including representatives from Wayne and Pike Counties, PA: Dan Card, Waste Management; Greg Celeskey, Wayne County Assistance Office; John Drake, Penn State University; Joann Hudak, Ed.D., Wallenpaupack Area School District; John Keyes, Wayne County CareerLink; Donna LaBar, Wayne County Chamber of Commerce; Clayton LaCoe III, Ed.D., Western Wayne School District; Barbara Linde, Linde Corporation; Anthony Manzione, Woodloch Pines, Inc.; Liz McDonald, Wayne Memorial Hospital; Marie McDonnell, Wayne County Job Training; Diane Puhalla, Lackawanna College – Honesdale; Paul Raetsch, US EDA (retired); Molly Rodgers, Wayne Library Authority; William Schaffer, Northampton Community College; Susan Shaffer, Wall Street West; Brian Smith, Wayne County Commissioner; Robert Suhosky, Cherry Ridge Realty, Inc.; Sam Tallo, Wayne Highlands School District; Jacci West, Wayne-Pike Adult Literacy Program; Mary Beth Wood, WEDCO.
Additional partners in the Pike/Wayne Business Education Partnership include: Pike County Workforce Development Agency, Pocono Counties Workforce Investment Board, and varied local business entities
Key activities during 2008-2009 include:
Planning and development of a Career & Technical Center (CTC) for Pike and Wayne Counties, PA, two of three counties in the state of Pennsylvania not served by a CTC. The desired model for a Pike/Wayne CTC is high school student career preparation along with adult training and higher education opportunities, as well as business accelerator services.
Facilitation of the Pike/Wayne Business Education Partnership: Working with local school districts to build and promote a K-12 comprehensive career program including Career Cruising, Job shadowing/Internships, Career Linking Academies, and Career Pathways. Support through the Pike/Wayne Business/Education Partnership also for teacher mini grants and video streaming business tours.
Implementation of Community Career & Training Sites to the rural community to provide career exploration, distance learning, and training portals at library sites. Workforce Wayne, with the Wayne County Library Authority (7 branches: Honesdale, Hamlin, Hawley, Newfoundland, Pleasant Mount, Lakewood and Bethany), the Damascus Community Center, the Job Training Office, and the Pike County Public Library (3 branches: Milford, Dingman’s Ferry, and Lackawaxen), is making it easy to access career resources for students and the adult populations.
Community forums with national experts and outreach about the jobs and skills of the 21st century, including a website to connect employers to job seekers: www.workforcewayne.org, featuring a searchable database to link job seekers to employer profiles. Two 2009 community forums with more than 100 attendees at each: Dr. Dan Perna April 22nd; Dr. Bill Daggett November 23rd.
New training in the short-term using existing facilities. Training areas of focus are: nursing, culinary, Marcellus Shale, entrepreneurship, green/weatherization, and financial/management/leadership certificate and degree programming. Developments on this point are quickly expanding. Luzerne County Community College has a new RN program with Wayne Memorial Hospital (first cohort to start Fall 2010). Lackawanna College has announced it will bring its full 23 degree programs to the Hawley Silk Mill location in Fall 2010. In addition to the existing programs, Lackawanna College has stated that a number of new degrees are being considered including Hotel & Restaurant Management, Recreational Management, and even the possibility of a Sales Institute. Johnson College and Luzerne County Community College are looking to offer a variety of certificate programs at Wayne County high schools in Spring 2010.
Additionally, Workforce Wayne secured $40,500 in additional grant funds in the last quarter of 2009 to positively impact the region through business incubator, technology plan, and education consortium studies.
Vision Forward
Workforce Wayne has received significant investments for 2010, but still needs $58,500 for operations. In addition to asking the community for investments, Workforce Wayne is pursuing outside grant and foundation partnerships. If the community can contribute to Workforce Wayne in 2010, the return on investment will be a future of well-trained employees, expanding career & technical education, and a bridge between business and education. To become part of Workforce Wayne, sign onto Workforce Wayne’s Community Compact Agreement at www.workforcewayne.org or call 253-5334.
Workforce Wayne: Working together to build tomorrow’s workforce today |
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Pike County Community Career & Training Sites |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Via e-mail For more information contact: Paula K. Fritz Pike County Workforce Coordinator Pike/Wayne Business Education Partnership Facilitated by Workforce Wayne 570-253-5334
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November 6, 2009 The Pike/Wayne Business Education Partnership collaborates with Pike County Public Libraries: Community Career & Training Sites Launch
Pictured above (L-R): Ellen Schaffner, PCPL Director, Joyce Morris, Circulation staff, Jen Greco, Public Services for PCPL, and Linda Krafinski, Head of Systems Technology & Services. NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA – In these economic times, now more than ever community members are seeking information regarding career exploration, distance learning and job training options. Through a partnership with Pike County Public libraries, the Pike/Wayne Business Education Partnership, which is facilitated by Workforce Wayne, is working to fulfilling the community’s needs by implementing Community Career & Training Sites. Grand opening events will take place the week of Nov. 16th. The public is invited for refreshments and a tour of the new resources as follows: Tuesday, November 17th @ 4pm : Milford Branch, Milford Wednesday, November 18th @ 4pm: Dingman Township Branch, Milford Friday, November 20th @ 4pm: Lackawaxen Branch, Greeley “Pike County Public Library welcomes this partnership with the Pike/Wayne Business Education Partnership. The Community Career & Training centers at PCPL's facilities will provide our residents with new resources for job seeking and career opportunities. With today's economy, these tools are more important than ever. We are grateful that this valuable program has been expanded into Pike county,” stated Library Director Ellen Schaffner. Workforce Wayne’s Director of Workforce Initiatives, Jennifer Porter, added: “One of Workforce Wayne’s long term goals is to create a culture of lifelong learning. This is where the libraries come in. By using the libraries as local Community Career & Training Sites, workforce resources are closer and more convenient to the residents who need them. Libraries are located throughout the county, offer evening and weekend hours, and provide high-speed Internet access.” At the Community Career & Training sites, the public will find new computers, new electronic and print resources, and a new, easy-to-find centralized location for all of the books that the libraries offer on careers, career testing, resumes, cover letters, and occupational guidance. Starting the week of November 30th , there will also be a workforce support person available at a scheduled date and time at each library to provide one-on-one assistance for those who need it. The Community Career & Training sites are available for customers during all library hours; however, the hours indicated below for each site will be staff-supported by Pike County service partners. Assisted support hours (by appointment preferred) will be: Milford Branch: Mondays 4-7pm Dingman Branch: Wednesdays 4-7pm Lackawaxen Branch: will be by appointment only, call 570-685-3100 to make an appointment
One of the new resources that will be available at each of the library sites is called Career Cruising. This is the same tool that, through a Wall Street West/WIRED grant, has been implemented in Wallenpaupack Area school district. It allows individuals to create a user account through www.careercruising.com and offers online career guidance, exploration of education and training options, building an online portfolio, and career assessment tools (for those who may want to explore other career options or those who are unsure of what career they are interested in). By this resource being available at the Community Career & Training sites, students can also access their Career Cruising accounts over the summer – which will allow them to keep working on their career exploration and making additions to their online portfolio. Another of the new resources that will be available is real-time online job interview practice called Interview Stream. Using a webcam and the library’s Internet connection, people will be able to come for an "interview" and then receive advice on how to strengthen their skills to make a better impression. Interview Stream also has online tutorials and guidance on job search and interviewing skills. WinWay Resume Software will also be installed on each of the computers. WinWay offers resume and cover letter writing assistance, plus much more. The software includes a Resume Wizard to help individuals create a job-winning resume, with 14,000+ examples included. There are also 116,000 employer catching phrases, searchable by career field. Included in the software is a Resume Auditor, which helps to find 100+ mistakes that can cause rejection. Cover letter tools help users to create persuasive cover letters, with 400+ professional letter examples included. All of the new career and training resources will be added to the libraries’ computer skills tutorials, resume review, and other services targeted for students and job seekers. Workforce Wayne is a Wall Street West sub-grantee, and this program is funded in part by a Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. To become part of Workforce Wayne or the Pike/Wayne Business Education Partnership sign onto Workforce Wayne’s Community Compact Agreement at www.workforcewayne.org |
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