Latest news with #NortheasternPennsylvaniaIndustrialResourceCenter
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'Manufacturing Millennial' to headline NEPIRC's annual summit and expo
Apr. 26—PLAINS TWP. — Considered one of the loudest voices in the industry and considered as one of the top voices in robotics, automation and manufacturing, Jake Hall — known as the "Manufacturing Millennial" — is helping companies future-proof their businesses with technology and attract the workforce of tomorrow. "We're so excited to have Jake Hall as our MFG DAY keynote speaker addressing the topic of 'The Future of Manufacturing: Technology and Workforce,'" said Chelsey Coslett-Traver, NEPIRC's manager of marketing and stakeholder engagement. "Jake is an influential advocate for manufacturing, automation and skilled trades. His content is effective at educating the future workforce about the manufacturing industry, which is why we believe our Manufacturing Day attendees will be energized by his message and gain valuable insight." Hall will address the future of manufacturing, effective social media use for manufacturers and much more when the Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center (NEPIRC) welcomes him as keynote speaker at its 2025 Manufacturing Day (MFG DAY) Best Practices Summit & Expo — the region's largest manufacturing trade show and networking event of its kind — on Oct. 3, at Mohegan Pennsylvania in Wilkes-Barre. Coslett-Traver said when younger generations think of manufacturing, many often picture dimly lit, dangerous and outdated work environments, but Hall said that is not a fair or accurate view of today's manufacturing scene according. Hall said he is on a mission to educate younger people by meeting them where they are — on social media. Coslett-Traver said Hall is helping to revolutionize the way people and companies present through social media. With more than 100,000 followers and 150,000,000-plus views on his content channels, Hall ignites conversations about the latest in manufacturing and automation to excite the current and future workforce about the manufacturing industry. Coslett-Traver added that Hall's desire to influence the future workforce aligns closely with the goals of NEPIRC's innovative Manufacturing Ambassador Dream Team initiative that increases high school and college student awareness of outstanding careers available within Pennsylvania's advanced manufacturing field. Coslett-Traver said Hall helps to reach the future workforce with programs like his "Discover Manufacturing" and "MiCareerQuest," which introduce 20,000 high school students to manufacturing each year in west Michigan. In addition to delivering the keynote presentation, Hall will also lead a breakout session entitled — "The Power of Social Media: What You Should Do." Coslett-Traver said MFG DAY sponsorship opportunities are available, but going quickly. If interested, visit to learn more and complete and submit the confirmation form required to lock in sponsorship. Additionally, NEPIRC announced that InnoTek Computer Consulting of Bloomsburg is this year's Presenting Sponsor. Tickets are also on sale and start at $75. If you want to learn from industry experts and connect with people who are making a difference in the manufacturing industry, then this is a must-attend event. This year's MFG DAY will heavily focus on manufacturing technology, AI and automation. Visit to purchase tickets. Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
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.'
