Advancing workforce and economic development in Bucks County | May 2022 |
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A Message from Our Executive Director |
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May ushers in spring’s full bloom, accompanied by a feeling of renewal and professional growth in Bucks County’s workforce. Beginning May 1, National Small Business Week celebrates the impact of entrepreneurs and small business owners at the national, regional, and local levels. According to the U.S. Small Business Association’s Office of Advocacy, more than half of Americans either own or work for a small business, and they create about two out of every three new jobs in the U.S. each year. Every day, they’re working on expanding small businesses, creating 21st-century jobs, driving innovation, and increasing America’s global competitiveness.
The importance of hospitality, tourism, and small businesses in Bucks County is undeniable, showing remarkable resilience as our community bounces back since the COVID pandemic started in 2019. National Small Business Week is an opportunity to revisit all that the county offers visitors and residents alike. History, innovation, and vibrancy converge in our local creations, cultural treasures, trail-friendly spaces, and world-class destinations. Consider supporting your favorite local businesses by visiting, contributing to positive reviews online, and tagging them on social media this week. Visit Bucks County is a comprehensive resource for promoting local businesses, as is Bucks Happening™ and Bucks County Alive.
The Department of Workforce and Economic Development strives to connect local entrepreneurs and small business owners with a variety of financial resources through long-standing partnerships. Visit the county’s website pages for Economic Development & Employer COVID-19 Resources and Employer Community Connections to explore a full list of additional resources. Part of these outreach efforts includes the monthly publication of this newsletter to keep the Bucks County business community informed of workforce updates, events, and programs.
Thank you for supporting small businesses in Bucks County this week and every week throughout the year. Your contributions, now as always, help make Bucks a wonderful place to live and work.
Sincerely,
Billie F. Barnes
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WED Talks: The Next Normal for Global Supply Chains In A Post-Pandemic World
Join the Department of Workforce & Economic Development and PA CareerLink® Bucks County at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, May 11, for a WED Talk about the "next normal" for global supply chains.
The coronavirus pandemic has vividly exposed the profound interdependencies in today's global supply chain ecosystems and powerfully demonstrated the inherent risks in our complex, connected world. The next normal will see some radical reconfiguration of global supply chains.
Mark Millar will discuss Supply Chain 2025, reflecting on COVID disruptions and exploring how China's changing role, logistics sector dynamics, and the Ukraine crisis will impact the future of post-pandemic supply chains. He will conclude with ten practical strategies for business leaders to consider adopting in order to thrive in the next normal.
About the Expert: Mark Millar is a renowned and respected authority on logistics and supply chain strategies, business mega-trends, and Asia market developments. He is the author of the widely acclaimed book Global Supply Chain Ecosystems, sold in 50 countries across six continents with praise from industry and academia alike.
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Workforce & Economic Development News |
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On April 12, The Philadelphia Inquirer announced the region’s 2022 Top Workplaces winners. The alphabetical listing of large, midsize, and small companies celebrates the workplaces that went above and beyond during these unusual times. PA CareerLink® Bucks County is pleased to acknowledge honorees Mini Melts Ice Cream, Panda Restaurant Group, and Tyndale Company, Inc. for their participation in employee training programs that provide job opportunities for Bucks County’s workforce. In August, a ranked list of the region’s top workplaces will be released. Read more
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On May 6, Vita Education Services will celebrate 50 years of bringing learning to life at a special celebration hosted by Delaware Valley University. Vita is the lead literacy agency in Bucks County and the largest provider of education programs in Bucks County Correctional Facilities. Guests will enjoy refreshments, an art show by Vita clients expressing the theme of transformation in their lives, an engaging presentation on the impact of Vita’s programs and services, and a silent auction featuring works by local artists. All proceeds support Vita’s ability to continue this vital work throughout Bucks County. Read more
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In Episode 6 of Bucks County Conversations, we discuss the importance of training and safety from both the education and enforcement sides. Rich Vona, director of Law Enforcement and Safety, explains his role in Bucks County and how he coordinates with the county’s park rangers, security personnel and 39 police departments. We also hear from Carly Mannon, Community Traffic Safety program manager for the Transportation Management Association. Mannon travels from schools to businesses to police stations giving lessons on seatbelt and traffic safety. Read more
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Congratulations to students from Neil A. Armstrong Middle School and Tamanand Middle School whose “What’s So Cool About Manufacturing” (WSCM) videos, which feature Lampire Biological Laboratories and Bracalente Manufacturing Group, respectively, have been selected to advance to the annual Pennsylvania Statewide WSCM Awards at the Whitaker Center in Harrisburg on May 18. The annual video contest excites students across Pennsylvania to explore cool manufacturing careers and produce profiles of companies. Read more
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Meet Our Board Member: Marybeth Williams
Marybeth Williams serves as the Assistant Regional Director of the Southeast and Poconos for the Bureau of Workforce Partnership and Operations (BWPO). An office of the PA Department of Labor & Industry, the BWPO provides universal access for customers to employment-related services through the statewide network of one-stop PA CareerLink® centers. These services help job seekers obtain employment and enhance their skills, find appropriate training and education, and help employers find qualified workers.
Additionally, the BWPO oversees the administration of federally funded job training programs in local areas around the state that provide services to youth, adults, and dislocated workers. The BWPO also provides Rapid Response Services to assist employees affected by mass layoffs and coordinates federal, state, and local aid. In addition, BWPO staff provide Trade Adjustment Assistance for workers who are certified as adversely affected by foreign trade, tax credit programs that provide savings to employers as an incentive to hire eligible job seekers with barriers to employment, and incumbent worker training programs that help workers to upgrade their skills, so Pennsylvania businesses remain competitive in the global labor market.
Prior to the BWPO, Williams worked as an administrator and supervisor of PA CareerLink® in Delaware County. She received a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Temple University and served as a captain in the U.S. Army.
In addition to lending her expertise to the Bucks County Development Board, Williams has dedicated her time to local workforce development boards in Chester, Delaware, Lehigh, Montgomery, and Pocono counties.
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Career Seeker Success Story: Joseph
Joseph came to PA CareerLink® Bucks County after being released from his position as a warehouse associate at a local lumber company in January 2021. Once enrolled in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) program, he hoped to participate in an on-the-job training opportunity in the manufacturing base. Joseph wanted to develop a career pathway and increase his salary by doing so.
Building on previous employment experience in an industrial setting, Joseph set goals to gain a new skill set and a credential to compete in today’s competitive job market. Along with his WIOA counselor, he reviewed available employment and training options. Joseph expressed interest in the manufacturing industry because of the current job demand in Bucks County. Read more
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National Small Business Week is May 1-7
Recognized through a Presidential Proclamation, National Small Business Week 2022 celebrates the resiliency and tenacity of America’s entrepreneurs who are doing their part to power our nation’s historic economic comeback.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) recognizes exemplary small businesses with a four-day series of events from May 2-7 that include a live virtual summit, educational sessions, and award presentations. The virtual summit will acknowledge small businesses from across the country for their resilience, ingenuity, and creativity. It will also recognize SBA partners for their involvement in entrepreneurial development, disaster recovery, government contracting, financial development, and overall support for small businesses and entrepreneurship. Events are free, but registration is required. Read more
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Resources for Businesses & Career Seekers |
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What's New At PA CareerLink® Bucks County |
Discover upcoming events, featured jobs, networking opportunities, and more. Scan the QR code or follow the link below.
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