Latest news with #GreaterScrantonChamberofCommerce
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Workforce groups collaborate to improve area's economic outlook
From introducing students and educators to business leaders, to providing firms with funding to grow and excel, to highlighting job opportunities, several local organizations work together to improve the job picture in the region. Through Skills in Scranton, the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce's workforce program, chamber officials partnered with Discover NEPA to produce short resource videos focused on in-demand occupations — including nursing, engineering, carpentry, welding, logistics and truck driving. 'We've identified specific jobs and tried to personalize that so students and other job seekers can see and learn what jobs are available and what jobs are emerging,' said Bob Durkin, president and CEO of the chamber. 'It's important for us as a community to come together around the workforce issue. We need to strengthen the collaborative opportunities among the organizations.' The chamber's Educator in the Workplace program connects business and industry leaders with local school districts, the career and technical center, and the local intermediate unit. Officials guide educators through their business environment, highlighting vital skills needed, knowledge of the structure of the organization as well as the profile of the workplace, such as employment opportunities, educational background, salary ranges, training needs and ongoing professional development. The program exposes educators to careers facing workforce shortages and challenges facing the industry. Topics of discussion include the impact of technology, diversity in the workplace, employee benefits and work ethic. The Hanover Twp.- based Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center launched its Manufacturing Ambassador Dream Team initiative two years ago to enlighten high school and college students about job opportunities in the manufacturing field. Dream Team ambassadors representing more than 20 regional manufacturing companies share their career journeys with students during in-school presentations and Career Day events. Through the program, ambassadors have interacted with more than 21,000 students from many schools throughout NEPIRC'S 11-county footprint — from Scranton to Forest City and Hazleton to Hawley, said Chelsey Coslett-Traver, manager of marketing and stakeholder engagement for NEPIRC. The Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce's Luzerne Learns to Work program exposes high school juniors and seniors to potential careers through free access to LinkedIn Learning video courses, Metrix Learning video courses, Luzerne County Library courses, workforce and career development tools, and work-based learning experiences with local companies. Jocelyn Sterenchock, director of economic development for the Greater Hazleton Community Area New Development Organization (CANDO), added the organization also puts a big emphasis on educating the younger population about quality jobs in the area. 'We're trying to expose as many students as possible to careers in manufacturing and industry,' she said. 'The Hazleton Area School District is an amazing feeder and pipeline to those industries — we just have to work on our retention of those students.' * Ken Okrepkie, regional manager for Ben Franklin Technology Partners' northeast division, poses for a photograph in his office at the Scranton Enterprise Center in Scranton Tuesday, March 11, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) * The inside of the Scranton Enterprise Center Tuesday, March 11, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Show Caption 1 of 2 Ken Okrepkie, regional manager for Ben Franklin Technology Partners' northeast division, poses for a photograph in his office at the Scranton Enterprise Center in Scranton Tuesday, March 11, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Expand Ben Franklin Technology Partners invests in early-stage technology companies, funds innovation in established manufacturers, and supports clients with in-house experts and a network of technical and business resources. Ken Okrepkie, regional manager for Ben Franklin's northeast division, credits the interconnectedness of many local workforce groups for the success of area firms. 'The economic development organizations are collaborating better now than they ever have before, in a variety of different ways,' Okrepkie said. 'There is a nice network of early-stage technology companies and the business incubators supporting that entrepreneurial ecosystem. Collectively, the chambers (Scranton, Wyoming Valley, Pittston and Hazleton) have seen an opportunity to come together from a legislative perspective and identify the priorities of northeastern Pennsylvania, instead of the priorities for any one entity. I serve on SLIBCO's board, the CAN DO board, the Wyoming Valley chamber's board of directors, and it's commonplace for the CEOs of these organizations to communicate with one another on strategically how we're positioning northeastern Pennsylvania and how we can work together for the betterment of creating jobs and attracting business.'
Yahoo
16-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Chamber development program targets young professionals
A new professional development series — designed by the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce — aims to teach young workers ways to determine their specific strengths, acquire valuable workforce skills and act appropriately during formal business meetings. Emily Pettinato, workforce development specialist for the chamber, stressed the organization recognizes the importance of attracting more young professionals — specifically those graduating from college or moving to the area — and providing them with opportunities to advance their careers. Pettinato believes participating in the Xpand Professional Development Series could help up-and-coming workers find their footing in a competitive job market. 'I think it would be a really great confidence boost entering the workplace,' she said. 'I know when you first start somewhere it's scary and intimidating, so just being able to listen to others and learn from them, I think they'll get a sense of community, a sense of confidence and be able to excel in their positions.' Pettinato (Courtesy Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce) The Xpand series will consist of three sessions, but participants may sign up for one, two or all three. The program is open to young professionals under the age of 40 who work in Northeast Pennsylvania. Those interested in attending the session may register at until Feb. 21. For information on the sessions, including pricing, visit the chamber website. Nicole Morristell, executive director of Leadership Lackawanna, the chamber's community leadership and professional development organization, will lead the first session — 'Unlock Your Strengths' — March 6 from 8 to 10:30 a.m. at the chamber building, 222 Mulberry St., Scranton. 'We believe learning leadership skills at any time in life is essential to being a quality worker, so offering various workshops like these really fine-tunes the skills needed by today's employees,' Morristell said. 'We're hearing that call from employers, so we tried to think outside the box a little bit.' MORRISTELL (Submitted) Pettinato will facilitate the second session — 'Building Your Career Toolkit' — April 2 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the second floor of the Scranton Enterprise Center, 201 Lackawanna Ave. The session will cover tips for being more productive during meetings, building a professional network, and honing communication and teamwork skills. Stephanie Decker, associate vice president for advancement at Lackawanna College, who launched a School of Hospitality in 2010 when she first joined the college, will offer guidance for proper behavior in a professional dining setting — from table manners to greeting and cellphone use — during an interactive business etiquette dinner April 16 at 5 p.m. at the AV Restaurant, 320 Penn Ave., Scranton. Throughout a decade of leadership, Decker steadily built up the hospitality program at Lackawanna. 'When we started, we had a vision for building a world-class School of Hospitality locally for students who wanted an affordable education, but also wanted the best that would come from some of the biggest hospitality schools in the world,' she said. 'We assembled a team of professionals who all studied at those schools, and it's become our mission and 'secret sauce' to bring the best of those institutions right to our students' backyard at a price they can afford.' A big step occurred in 2018 with the opening of 409 on Adams — a student-run restaurant — which provides students with the necessary training to succeed in the hospitality business, Decker said. 'It's a really special place because we focus largely on workforce development,' she said. 'When you graduate with one of our four degrees, you've served customers in a live setting.' Morristell feels participating in development programs gives both job seekers and those looking for a promotion an advantage. 'Anytime you attend a workshop or training event, that shows you went above and beyond and it's putting you ahead of your competitors,' she said. 'You're one step ahead, which makes you valuable. It's a talking point during a job interview and something to put on your resume.'
