COUNTY OF BUCKS | DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT | AUG 2022 ISSUE |
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A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR |
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The Department of Workforce & Economic Development (WED) is proud is announce the relocation of PA CareerLink Bucks County® to a highly visible, upgraded facility in Trevose. Staff and board collaborated with partners to secure the building located at 4800 East Street Road, accommodating the needs of local job seekers and employers. Dedicated workforce professionals are eager to provide on-site services for finding employment, connecting with education and training opportunities, and business outreach to qualified job candidates. Doors open on August 8, and a ribbon-cutting community event is planned for September 28. More information about PA CareerLink® services can be found on the newly revamped county web pages.
Last month, the PA Department of Labor & Industry awarded WED the PAsmart grant to support a local trades pre-apprenticeship consortium. WED is proud to lead this consortium comprised of three Bucks County Career & Technical Centers (CTC) schools: Bucks County Technical High School (BCTHS), Middle Bucks Institute of Technology (MBIT), and Upper Bucks County Technical School (UBCTS). Five construction/trade pre-apprenticeship programs will be designed and registered as pre-apprenticeships within the two academic years.
Want to gain insight into what's happening in the hospitality industry? I welcome you to join WED on August 17 for an industry update and outlook presented by Ben Fileccia. Fileccia, senior director of Operations for the PA Restaurant & Lodging Association, will bring his invaluable restaurant expertise and depth of knowledge to the discussion. Attendees will leave the WED Talk informed about strategies for a post-pandemic recovery in the years ahead.
Thank you for keeping in touch with WED as it announces new programs and initiatives to advance Bucks County's workforce. I am grateful for the many contributions of our friends and neighbors who help drive business and keep our local economy strong.
Sincerely,
Billie F. Barnes
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WED Talk: Hospitality Industry Update & Outlook for the Future
FEATURED PRESENTER: Ben Fileccia
DATE: August 17, 2022
TIME: 9-10 AM EDT
LOCATION: Online
COST: Free
Registration is required.
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WORKFORCE & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEWS |
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Meet Our Board Member: Jon Mercer
Jon Mercer serves as President and Executive Director of Startup Bucks, a 501(c)3 organization created by and for entrepreneurs to support new and existing startups to drive economic and growth in and beyond Bucks County. As a Startup Bucks co-founder, Mercer provides leadership across the organization’s programs and initiatives. Heading up Founder’s 30 (F30), he is particularly keen on curating and preparing founders to present at the weekly startup forum. F30 has supported over 200 startup founders with guidance, connections, and encouragement from a weekly audience of over 40 or more members of the startup ecosystem.
Mercer also led the development of the Bucks Built Startup Fund in partnership with the Bucks County Industrial Development Authority (BCIDA). With additional grant funding from Penn Community Bank, Bucks Built has provided over $400,000 in funding to over 20 early-stage startups spurring job creation in high-growth industries. Mercer recently sold Stacks Co., a Doylestown-based coworking and event space which he opened in 2018 and grew to be Bucks County’s largest coworking community having served as a workspace for hundreds of remote workers.
In May 2022, Philadelphia Business Journal named Mercer among the Greater Philadelphia Region’s 40 Under 40 for his achievements in entrepreneurial leadership.
Prior to his entrepreneurial experience, Mercer spent eight years in medical device innovation and information technology with Johnson & Johnson in the United States and Australia.
On July 14, the Bucks Built Startup Fund announced five high-potential, early-stage startups selected to receive a total of $125,000 in investment funded by the BCIDA, along with 12 months of advisory support from Startup Bucks. Additionally, in this round, seven applicants were awarded a total of $25,000 in grants sponsored by Penn Community Bank.
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Bucks County WED Awarded PAsmart Grant to Support Trades Pre-apprenticeship Consortium
On July 14, Governor Tom Wolf announced awards totaling more than $4.9 million for 14 Pennsylvania apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs within the building and construction trades. The Bucks County Department of Workforce & Economic Development (WED) received $400,000 to support a local trades pre-apprenticeship consortium.
The consortium comprises the three Bucks County Career & Technical Centers (CTC) schools: Bucks County Technical High School (BCTHS), Middle Bucks Institute of Technology (MBIT), and Upper Bucks County Technical School (UBCTS). Five construction/trade pre-apprenticeship programs will be designed and registered as pre-apprenticeships. An electrical pre-apprenticeship program will be created in fall 2022, followed by a plumbing pre-apprenticeship program in spring 2023.
Three additional pre-apprenticeship programs will be registered in fall 2023 — carpentry, welding and HVAC. About 300 high school students will participate as pre-apprentices during these two school years.
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Career Seeker Success Story: David
In April 2021, David came to PA CareerLink® Bucks County after being released from his position of nine years as a line operator at Sherwood Steel. David had worked his entire career in the manufacturing industry. Following the layoff, he recognized the need to secure a credential in a specific trade to maintain long-term, sustainable employment.
David was interested in welding and researched labor market information to learn more. He found that training would provide him with an employment outlook until retirement.
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WORKFORCE PARTNERSHIPS IN ACTION |
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What's Happening Now in Apprenticeship & Pre-apprenticeship
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Cybersecurity Apprenticeship Sprint promotes the Registered Apprenticeship model as a solution for numerous industries to develop and train a skilled cybersecurity workforce.
- The U.S. Department of Labor and the Department of Commerce collaborate on the Good Jobs Initiative.
- PA Department of Education expands path to high school graduation to include industry certifications and pre-apprenticeship.
Career Seekers: Check out the Job Seekers Guide to Apprenticeship. PA CareerLink ® Bucks County provides additional one-to-one assistance to match career seekers with the best fit.
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Reentry Feature: Talking About Second Chances |
Regardless of the industry, sector, or size of your business, the practice of second chance employment can not only help expand your hiring pool but also positively impact the dynamic at your company.
Dave's Killer Bread offers free video content in their Second Chance Playbook designed for business leaders and human resource professionals looking to understand and adopt this talent philosophy within their organizations.
Interested in learning more about getting involved with second chance employment in Bucks County?
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EMPLOYER & JOB SEEKER RESOURCES |
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Happening Now at PA CareerLink® |
- Upcoming events
- Featured jobs
- Networking opportunities
- Career-related workshops
- And more!
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