The County Level Workforce Development Team (CLWDT) held their monthly meeting today to discuss some of the current initiatives for developing Erie County’s workforce. Facilitated by Brett Wiler, Director of Erie Business Action Team at the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership, the group is comprised of various organizations with the same end goal in mind: skills training, job creation, and placing individuals in jobs. Some of the highlights at the August meeting included:
- Duane Zimmerman, Training Services Coordinator for PA CareerLink, presented information about how manufacturers (and other industries) can benefit from the On-the-Job Training Program (OJT). This program will reimburse a qualified employer (with a qualified position) up to 50-90% of employee wages for the training time, approximately 2-6 months. The position must be a full-time, permanent position with a pay rate of at least $10.50 per hour and also often health benefits. More information can be obtained by contacting Duanne at dzimmerman@eriecareerlink.org or another CareerLink coordinator.
- Ed Barthelmes, Strategic Business Advisor, provided the group a review of services offered by the Northwest Industrial Resource Center (NWIRC) focusing on small to mid-sized manufacturers in NW PA. NWIRC’s workforce development initiatives include working with manufacturers on business growth, such as new product and market development that may result in creation of new jobs. NWIRC’s STEM Manufacturing Internship program bridges the gap between a manufacturers innovation needs with science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) university students in the region. The 2016/2017 schedule is now online featuring Advanced Manufacturing Training Courses and other educational sessions.
- The Erie Regional Manufacturing Partnership (ERMP) Registered Apprentice Program is via a grant received by the Greater Oh-Penn Manufacturing Apprenticeship Network (of which ERMP is a member). More information can be found at: www.industryneedsyou.com.