HARRISBURG – Gov. Tom Corbett has unveiled a pilot project at the PA CareerLink® of Lancaster County that explores integration of two similar, yet separate job training and employment programs, with the goal of delivering services to jobseekers in a more efficient and effective way.
“When I visited this PA CareerLink® two years ago, my goal was to identify ways to find a job for every Pennsylvanian who wants one,” Corbett said.
“As we look for ways to integrate the Employment Advancement and Retention Network (EARN) Centers and PA CareerLink® offices across the commonwealth, it’s my hope that we can continue to make good on that promise, while also finding better ways to deliver our public services statewide.”
EARN Centers provide employment and training services to adults receiving the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefit, helping them transition off of public assistance and into the workforce.
PA CareerLink® offices also provide a full range of employment and training activities to a broader range of jobseekers and employers. Services to jobseekers include career counseling, placement assistance and identifying job vacancies and skills needed for in-demand jobs. Employers receive help with matching qualified jobseekers with job openings, as well as with identifying tax incentives and training needs.
“In many cases jobseekers are going to both programs seeking services in an effort to get a job, creating duplicate administrative and operational responsibilities for the state,” Corbett said. “By integrating our programs, we will free-up staff to help more Pennsylvanians reach their employment and training goals.”
Pending results of the pilot, the two departments will move forward with similar plans to integrate services offered at EARN Centers and PA CareerLink® offices statewide. Integration would be uniquely tailored to fit each local area in order to better meet the needs of jobseekers, businesses and the community. The move to integrate statewide would happen in five phases, culminating in 2015.
For more information about the services provided in PA CareerLink® offices click here: www.pacareerlink.state.pa.us.
For more information about EARN Centers, visit www.dpw.state.pa.us.
