Rotary News

Qualified and properly trained workers are a valuable commodity in today’s job marketplace. That economic reality is even more true for much of north central Pennsylvania, where years of population loss has depleted the workforce and the areas younger generation has been drawn away to urban communities due to increased career opportunities.

Amy Goode, the new education program director for the Community Education Council (CEC) of Elk and Cameron Counties, discussed a program designed to reverse that trend with Emporium Rotary members. The Discover Partnership is an initiative designed to connect businesses, schools and community organizations through on-the-job training, internships, apprenticeships, new degree programs and non-credit training courses. Between 2000 and 2010, Cameron and Elk counties led the state in population decline. Cameron’s population fell by about 15 percent, while Elk’s dropped by close to 10 percent.

A large number of those residents left during the economic downturn that began in 2008. Many of the industries adversely affected by that recession have now rebounded, but the workers who left haven’t returned. Goode said that good paying jobs are out there, but many local businesses can’t fill them. “We need to educate our students and make them aware that good jobs are out there, and not just in entry-level positions,” Goode said. “There's a misconception that there are no quality jobs, or that you need a four-year degree and that's not true." Discover Partnership has already made several in-roads in Cameron County.

•Organizers have planned student tours of local companies, “educator in the workplace” events to allow teachers to observe local workplace settings, and job shadowing.

•CEC currently operates a computer lab next to the Pa. CareerLink offices at the Emporium Forging facility in Emporium. Classes and workshops are offered dealing with social media, computer operating systems and other areas of technology.

•Cameron County High School students are participating in a “Career Connect” program introducing them to careers and walking them through mock interviews with local employers.

•Curriculum options have been expanded to include involvement in Junior Achievement, career fairs, vocational research, writing classes and independent living courses..

In addition, the CEC offers college courses through Gannon, Pitt-Bradford and Penn State Dubois, as well as certification testing, GED instruction and professional development coursework. "This area has so much to offer, but we need to make sure our young people know what's out there," Goode said. "These programs can help give them a clear career plan." For more information on the Discover Partnership or other CEC programs, contact Amy Goode at 814-781-3437 or visit the website, discoverpartnership.org.

A limited number of tickets ($30.00) are still available for the Rotary Wine & Cheese Fundraiser February 18th which funds the Rotary Academic & Technical Scholarships. Must be 21 to attend. See Becky Pasquinelli at Northwest Bank or any Rotarian for tickets