State labor secretary visits area CareerLink
CareerLink hosts appearance, shares success stories
EXTON » Pennsylvania Secretary of Labor Jerry Oleksiak visited PA CareerLink Chester County in Exton Monday to focus attention on the work of the agency.
He was joined by state Sen. Andrew Dinniman, D-19th Dist., state Rep. Duane Milne, R-167th Dist., and Pat Bokovitz, director, Chester County Department of Community Development.
After touring the facility, the group had a chance to hear from a representative from PowerBack Rehabilitation about that company’s recent experiences working with CareerLink to fill jobs at its new Exton location, as well as two CareerLink clients.
“One of the things I love is getting out of Harrisburg and seeing what’s happening and seeing the end result of the work we do,” Oleksiak said during his remarks Monday. “Sometimes when you don’t get out and see it, you forget there are real people benefiting from the important services being provided by CareerLink. I love coming and hearing the success stories.”
CareerLink is a cooperative program where job seekers and employers share access to job training, education and employment services, according to the CareerLink of Chester County website.
Bokovitz said that with unemployment in Chester County at 3.3 percent, there may be a misunderstanding
of the need for workforce development and career programs.
“It’s not just about finding a job, sometimes it’s about finding a better job,” he said.
CareerLink provides workshops and programs to help job seekers refine the skills they need to either enter the workforce or get a better job.
Imani Brown was recently hired as bookkeeper at PowerBack’s new Exton facility, which is right around the corner from the CareerLink office. She told the group she came to CareerLink as a single mother, and has since been through several of the agency’s programs.
“They helped me get my first job, which helped me with my receptionist skills. I have been trying to work on bettering my career,” she said. Brown added that she originally applied for a job as a receptionist at PowerBack.
“But that job was filled. Georgia went out on a limb and hired
me as bookkeeper. I am getting more skills,” she said.
PowerBack Rehabilitation is part of Genesis Healthcare, according to Georgia Marchionne, HR manager for the Exton location. She said the company has
worked with CareerLink over the past few months.
“They allowed us to hold open interview days here twice a week this summer, which helped us get the word out that we are hiring,” she said, adding that the company hired several employees, including Brown. In addition, Marchionne said she had an interview scheduled Monday afternoon with a candidate that learned about PowerBack from CareerLink.
“I am excited to continue our partnership and would encourage other employers to partner with CareerLink as well. I had the opportunity this summer to learn about services,” she said. “I was impressed and would encourage others to find out what they have to offer.”
Rayonda Lyons said she has been through several CareerLink programs as well, completing certifications as well as Microsoft training, “which will help me once I do get employment in my field.”
Lyons told the group Monday that what she has gotten from CareerLink goes beyond just the skills she needs for the workforce.
“They gave me the confidence to be a better mom and to reach for things that I want in life instead of just accepting what’s there in front of my face,” she said. “They have also given me confidence in my current situation with my kids and being a single mom.”
“I tell our folks in Harrisburg it’s important for us to follow the budget, policies and guidelines, but it’s more important in many ways to remember there are real people at the end of the process,” Oleksiak added. “We work with people who are hurt on the job, or who are looking to refine the skills they need for the workforce of the future.
Rep. Milne said there are “truly life transforming activities happening” at CareerLink. “When you hear the success stories, see the enthusiasm and excitement; when you see people trying to better themselves, it inspires me,” he said. “I’m inspired to continue to advocate for good funding, good support from the public sector for these kinds of programs for organizations that do tremendous good works in our area.”
“My message is a simple one — this is a good program,” said Sen. Dinniman. “Everyone deserves an opportunity to succeed. We are in an economy now which everything is changing. We need to make sure opportunities for training and constant learning are available to for all of us.”
Oleksiak also took the opportunity during Monday’s event to talk about the PASmart initiative, a new workforce development initiative that helps connect Pennsylvanians with resources for working and training in the Commonwealth.
The Department of Labor and Industry will roll out a rebranding of CareerLink on Tuesday, Oleksiak told Digital First Media. As part of that rebranding, the CareerLink’s jobs website — known as JobGateway will change to PA CareerLink. Following the change, www.jobgateway. pa.gove will redirect visitors to www.pacareerlink. pa.gov.