Lancaster: On Friday, February 26, thirteen Lancaster County residents graduated from Construction 101, a pre-apprentice ship program for careers in the construction industry that is co-sponsored by the Lancaster County Workforce Investment Board and Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology in partnership with Lancaster County Adult Probation and Parole Services, Neighborhood Services, the PA CareerLink of Lancaster County, SACA, and the Keystone Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors, at a ceremony held at Stevens College.

Those graduating included Craig Austin, Derrick Barrett, Allen Blouch, Jose Cruz, Robert Hoffman, Guyliano Laguerre, Thomas Marty, Darrell Murrey, Michael Roane, Zachary Sharp, James Speller, Dawn Thompson, and Jeffrey West..

Participants completed a six-week, 240 hour program of classroom instruction and on-the-job training that qualifies them to work in the construction industry and that provides a curriculum which is at the introductory core of the apprenticeship programs for carpenters, electricians, masons, plumbers, HVAC, and other construction careers. Coursework includes safety, hand and power tools, construction math, and other topics.

Charles Byers and Dan Noel, carpentry instructors at Stevens, are the instructors for this course and provide the on-site supervision. "This program provides non-traditional students with a great opportunity to develop a base of knowledge and experience that helps them be more successful as they enter into employment in the construction industry," said Byers recently.

Over 250 students have graduated from the program over the last several years with some dramatic success stories that include students who are now working in the industry and enrolled in apprenticeship training with Associated Builders and Contractors as well as graduates who are continuing their education at the Lancaster County Career and Technology Center, Thaddeus Stevens College, and Penn State University. Scott Sheely, Executive Director of the Lancaster County Workforce Investment Board, commented that "these well-prepared young people are beginning their training at an important time for the construction industry as it faces an aging population of skilled tradespersons that it will need to replace in the next ten years. There are tremendous opportunities in this industry in the near future for persons of color and women."

In this class, Robert Hoffman received honors for having the Highest Grade Point Average while Derrick Barrett was honored as Most Improved Student and Craig Austin was selected at Most Competent in his skill mastery. Craig Austin, Allen Blouch, and Robert Hoffman were recognized for their Perfect Attendance. Dawn Thompson and Derrick Barrett also recognized for their academic achievements.

Lancaster: On March 10, 2010, the PA CareerLink of Lancaster County recognized over 200 people who graduated from its Ready2Work program over the last two months. County Commissioner Dennis Stuckey brought greetings and congratulations from the County Commissioners while Scott Sheely, Executive Director of the Lancaster County Workforce Investment Board, encouraged graduates to be persistent in their job search and to consider additional training that would add to their skill sets. Sheely noted that "this has been one of the worst recessions in a hundred years but people are still finding work....Don't give up."

Ready2Work graduates were allowed early entry into the 8th Annual Spring Job Fair that followed to talk with the nearly 40 employers which participated.

Lancaster: On Monday, March 8, 2010 Congressman Joe Pitts paid a visit to the Gathering Place in Lancaster County. The Gathering Place has a thrift store and food bank for those in need. It also provides case management services for those infected and affected by the HIV virus. Three young people from the Winter Work Program operated by the Lancaster Employment and Training Agency help out there on a regular basis with organizing the food bank donations, sorting and pricing donations for the thrift shop, and displaying and merchandising the items for sale in the thrift shop.

For more information on Youth Programs operated by LETA, please call 717-291-1231.

Lancaster: The 8th Annual Spring Job Fair of the PA CareerLink of Lancaster County held on March 10, 2010 at Liberty Place in partnership with WSOX 96.1 and WARM 103.3 was a huge success!

More than 1,400 residents of Lancaster County including over 200 graduates of Ready2Work were able to connect with over 40 local employers and 14 PA CareerLink partner agencies making this one of the most successful job fairs ever. The Job Fair was held in conjunction with the graduation of more than 200 people from the Ready2Work program earlier that day.

Companies that attended included Edward Jones, TruGreen Lawn Care, Hollywood Casino at Penn National, Pepsi, PA State Police, Turkey Hill Dairy, Yurchak Printing, J.P. Donmoyer, Inc., Aflac, Performance Personnel, Abraxas Academy, U.S. Census, AmeriCorps, Fulton Financial, Team Care Behavioral Health, Milton Hershey School, National Pretzel, County of Lancaster, SONIC Drive-In Restaurant, WSOX 96.1 and WARM 103.3, Weaver Associates, Mt. Hope Nazarene Retirement Community, Y & S Candies, Brick Layers & Allied Craft Workers, Berk-Tek, Securitas, Occupational Development Center, Lancaster General Hospital, Manheim Auto Auction, Kelly Services, Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square, Monumental Life Insurance, Mennonite Home, Express Employment Professionals, JFC Staffing, Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc., Home Instead Senior Care, and Links2Care Nursing.

Other organizations attending included the Lancaster UC Service Center, Consolidated School of Business, York Technical Institute, AARP, Arbor Education and Training, PA Bureau of Workforce Development Partnership, Community Action Program, Council of Three Rivers American Indian Center, Inc., PA Department of Public Welfare/ Lancaster County Assistance Office, Lancaster County Career and Technology Center, Lancaster-Lebanon IU-13, HACC- Lancaster Campus, Lancaster UC Service Center/Rapid Response, Lancaster Employment and Training Agency, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Veteran's Services, and United Way.

We would like to thank the residents of Lancaster County and everyone else that helped make this job fair a great success!