Job expo to promote workforce readiness in region

Robert Tomkavage, The Times-Tribune, Scranton, Pa.
·2 min read

Oct. 23—A free job readiness workshop aims to educate people about economic and workforce development programs available throughout the region.

Pittston's Office of Community Development, along with the city's redevelopment and housing authorities, will host the interactive workshop — featuring the Commission on Economic Opportunity (CEO), NEPA RISE (Readiness in Skilled Employment) and PA CareerLink Luzerne County — Nov. 9 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Pittston Memorial Library's Cosgrove Room.

Registration is required by Thursday at pittstonrda.com/job-ready-expo.

Shannon Bonacci, deputy director of Pittston's Office of Community Development, who also works for the city's housing authority, noted the two groups are focusing on collaborative projects.

"We're working toward combining a lot of our efforts," she said. "We've never done something like this in the past where we've helped connect low-income earners to better-paying jobs. These programs help bridge the gap."

Jim McGinley, director of employment and training programs for CEO, believes the expo will be a valuable resource for both job seekers and those looking to advance their careers.

"It's imperative that members of our community are aware of the services available to them, whether it be help with finding employment or getting over certain barriers that can be preventing them from reaching self-sufficiency," he said.

McGinley said information regarding utility and food and nutrition assistance programs will be presented.

The NEPA RISE program, which provides a pathway to earning higher wages within in-demand careers, is now accepting applicants for its first cohort at Luzerne County Community College, set to begin in January.

RISE is a partnership of the William G. McGowan Charitable Fund, United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania, Johnson College, Luzerne County Community College and the Institute for Public Policy and Economic Development.

Terilynn Brechtel, director of community education for United Neighborhood Centers, who oversees support services for the RISE program, looks forward to LCCC joining Johnson College as an educational partner.

"We're really excited to be expanding the RISE program at the Nanticoke campus," she said. "There are county barriers with lack of transportation. I think this will be a really good addition to the program."

Liz Finley of the William G. McGowan Fund, program director of NEPA RISE, hopes the job expo will lead more people to explore the curriculum.

"It gives us a chance to get in front of even more Luzerne (County) residents," Finley said. "We're really happy with the progress the program has been making delivering a transformational experience to the participants. It's been really rewarding to see the lasting impacts we've made in their lives."

Contact the writer:

rtomkavage@scrantontimes.com; 570-348-9131;

@rtomkavage on Twitter.