The Chamber and Skills in Scranton to Host Annual Workforce Summit on April 4 Skills in Scranton, the workforce development affiliate of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, hosts the fourth annual Workforce Summit and Career Fair on Thursday, April 4, at the Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel. The event will supply invaluable resources for individuals seeking career advancement opportunities and professional development in northeastern Pennsylvania. Attendees can look forward to engaging speaker presentations focusing on career readiness and exploring various career pathways. The panelists, representing organizations from across the region, will share insights, strategies, and best practices to empower attendees in navigating their professional journeys. “We are thrilled to host the annual Workforce Summit and Career Fair, bringing together professionals, organizations, and aspiring individuals from our community,” said Emily Pettinato, workforce development specialist at the Chamber. “This event underscores our commitment to fostering talent development, bridging the gap between education and employment, and driving economic growth in our region.” Teri Ooms, executive director of The Institute, will provide the keynote session titled “State of the Workforce.” Ooms will educate the audience on crucial insights into the current state of the workforce, trends, challenges, and opportunities for both employers and job seekers in the greater Scranton region. New to the Workforce Summit this year is the significant participation of high school seniors from Lackawanna County schools. It’s expected that 194 high school students will attend on Thursday, April 4. This initiative aims to guide and inspire the next generation of professionals in discovering their career pathways, equipping them with essential knowledge and resources for future success. Tickets for the event are still available for purchase at ScrantonChamber.com.
PA CareerLink to Hold Second Chance Hiring Event PA CareerLink will be doing a hiring event on Wednesday, July 26th. The hiring event will be centered around helping second-chance participants find employment. We’ll also have speakers from the PA Department of Labor & Industry and Lackawanna Pro Bono. They will be providing information about federal programs and legal options for both participants and employers. Attached is the flyer with the details
The PA CareerLink® Lackawanna County Office Now Open for Business Located in the heart of downtown Scranton, PA CareerLink® Lackawanna County is open for business. Staff is available to help with your training and employment needs. Employers have posted over 2500 job orders in the last 6 months and are searching for qualified applicants. We are available for in-person visits from 9 to 4 every day with appointments recommended. All COVID protocol will be followed.
Two Young Men Making Moves at the Human Resources Center Our consumers are always giving us a reason to brag about them here at the Human Resources Center, Inc. Today, we’d like to spotlight two young men who have been making big moves in their communities. Zachary Potter, a Honesdale High School graduate, recently celebrated his one year work anniversary at the Wayne County Courthouse. Prior to serving the county, Zach participated in the Project SEARCH program at the Wayne Memorial Hospital. Project SEARCH is an innovative business-led employment preparation program that serves to transition individuals to community-based employment. Having successfully completed the program, Zach obtained his first job at the courthouse where he remains over a year later. This huge accomplishment is a result of Zach’s incredible work ethic and ability to adjust to changing expectations, specifically after returning to his role in the maintenance department following the COVID-19 layoff. His steadfast support system of family, co-workers, and job coaches played a key role in helping Zach achieve this milestone. His former job coach and HRC employee, Ariel Hoherchak, explains, “pandemic-related routine changes helped to make his role easier on him, improving his work amazingly!” Another job coach and HRC employee, Megan Sherman, remarks, “Zach isn’t one for the spotlight. He does his job with focus and doesn’t expect accolades.” She adds, “he is reliable and rarely misses a day of work. I’m happy to be part of his team!” HRC Director of Career Options and Development, Sean Donohoe, couldn’t be more thrilled for Zach’s latest achievement and hopes there are many more years to come. “We are so proud of him,” Sean says. Congratulations, Zach! But the accolades don’t end there. Matthew Giansanti, a participant of HRC’s Small Group Employment program, has recently headed up an initiative to bring better lighting to Milford Borough crosswalks. Matt’s employment hours frequently require him to walk home after dark, especially during the bleak winter months. He quickly noticed that lack of adequate lighting at crosswalks resulted in cars not stopping for pedestrians at marked crosswalks. Identifying the danger this situation posed, Matt decided to create a petition and garner support for the introduction of more sufficient lighting at Milford Borough crosswalks, the signatures of which accounted for a staggering 130 names in support. Matt is slated to present his case at the Milford Borough Council meeting via Zoom. In the meantime, Matt has focused his efforts on promoting the wearing of orange wristbands by individuals with disabilities. This endeavor comes on the heels of a viral CNN video depicting a 16-year old diagnosed with epilepsy and autism being hit and handcuffed by Fresno police while having a seizure. The purpose of the orange wristbands worn by individuals with disabilities is to more clearly identify such individuals to law enforcement and rescue teams in the community. Matt also advocates for better training for law and rescue personnel, remarking that this horrifying instance of misconduct “shouldn’t happen” and can be prevented. Both of Matt’s initiatives were brought to life by Matt’s support team who were inspired and moved by his concern for others. His mother, Karen Guest, and co-workers, Ashley Collman and Sean Cavalone, helped Matt bring his aspiration to fruition. Commissioner Matt Osterberg was also an avid supporter of Matt’s efforts, along with Milford’s residents, who offered their signatures in his support. HRC employee, Cindy Hansen, sums up Matt’s intentions, stating, “he wants to make a difference.” We are incredibly proud of both Zach and Matt’s commitment to their communities and the betterment of them in their own unique ways. The Human Resources Center, Inc. would like to thank these young men for their dedication and service!