/ By Lauren Thompson / Cambria County • Event • Media Releases • News • Somerset County • Workforce Development/ 0 Comments

15th Annual Alleghenies Regional Safety Conference

The 15th Annual Alleghenies Regional Safety Conference will be held on Tuesday, October 3, 2017 from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM at the Frank J. Pasquerilla Conference Center, Johnstown, PA.

This year’s opening session, Safe 4 the Right Reasons, will be presented by Wylie Davidson, Motivational Speaker and Trainer with Dival Safety. Safe 4 the Right Reasons breaks down basic human nature, wiring and instincts and delivers a personal motivation to each attendee to value their own safety. It is personal for every attendee and can be incorporated into all of your safety messages.

Attendees will have the opportunity to visit the vendor booths and take part in the workshops that will be going on throughout the day.

Workshop topics, keynote speaker and registration information will be released soon.

If you are looking for more information about the Safety Conference contact Debi Balog, Director of Workforce Development, at (814) 262-8366 or via email at .

/ By Lauren Thompson / Annual Luncheon • Cambria County • Entrepreneurship • Financing & incentives • Media Releases • New business • News • Somerset County • Workforce Development/ 0 Comments

JARI Releases 2016 Annual Report

The 2016 JARI Annual Report “Building Economic Momentum: Creating a Strong Foundation for Growth” is now available for review on the JARI website.  The report documents improved economic activity over the past year, with more jobs created and retained, more financing secured, and less displaced workers served. Eleven new businesses were started with JARI’s assistance, while 725 people received training to enhance job opportunities. Highlights include the creation of the JARI Growth Fund, assistance to companies locating or growing in the region, and diversification strategies for small defense firms.

The support that is received from our partners, financial contributors, directors and committee members is paramount to the collaboration that ultimately assists our regional employers and our communities

Please contact me at  if you have questions or would like additional information about this report.

/ By Lauren Thompson / Event • News • Somerset County • Workforce Development/ 0 Comments

Workforce Development Session Has Successful Turnout

On Wednesday, April 12 the Somerset County Chamber of Commerce hosted an “Eggs & Issues:Workforce Development Benefits,” session at the Somerset Country Club

Representatives from seven workforce related agencies highlighted the many resources and benefits available to businesses in the Southern Alleghenies region. Industry experts also discussed employee recruitment options, training resources and funding options for workforce development.

For more information on Workforce Development, contact Debi Balog at (814) 262-8366 or via email at .

/ By Lauren Thompson / Event • Somerset County • Workforce Development/ 0 Comments

Students Making Plans for the Future

Debi Balog
Director, Workforce Development

On March 29th, Over 400 students from 11 Somerset County high schools attended the College and Technical Fair. The students had the opportunity to discuss education and career options with representatives from 59 colleges, technical schools, the military and skilled trade organizations. The fair also included a panel of employers who provided the students with insight on careers within their respective industries as well as information on the importance of critical workplace behaviors. Many thanks to the employers who participated on the panel:

  • SFC Kenneth Gifford, USARMY/USAREC
  • Tobie Gunby, AmeriServ Financial Bank
  • Mike Hinson, API Technologies Corp
  • Amy Horwath, Goodwill Industries of the Southern Alleghenies
  • Mike Stohon, In-Shore Technologies
  • Karissa Yoder, Somerset Hospital

The fair was hosted by the Somerset County Chamber of Commerce Education Committee and Success in Somerset County Committee.

/ By Lauren Thompson / Cambria County • Event • News • Somerset County • Workforce Development/ 0 Comments

Education Job Expo

On Thursday, April 13, there will be an Education Job Expo at the Greater Johnstown Career & Technology Center for anyone looking for a career in the education field. This expo will give employers the opportunity to meet prospective employees in our region and a chance to share information about their organization and available jobs.

The deadline to register is April 7th. If you are interested, RSVP to Kayla Cobaugh at (814) 262-0732 ext. 236 or via email at .

/ By Lauren Thompson / Cambria County • Consortium • Event • News • Somerset County • Workforce Development/ 0 Comments

Pumpkin Chunkin Competition

JARI and Faranda’s Farm is pleased to announce our new partnership to host a Pumpkin Chunkin Competition for local high school students. The competition will be held at Faranda’s Farm located in Hollsopple, PA., on November 4, 2017.

Seven local school districts are registered to participate in the competition in which students form teams and build their own prototype of a trebuchet to launch pumpkins the longest distance. The students will use the S.T.E.M concepts to solve the challenges presented by force and gravity.

We are currently searching for mentors and judges to help at the event and in-kind sponsors for building materials.  Mentors will assist the teams through the designing, building and testing process. Judges will review the judging criteria and participate in scoring the teams the day of the competition.

If you are interested in helping with this event, contact Debi Balog, Director, Workforce Development, at (814) 262-8366 or via email at .

/ By Lauren Thompson / Cambria County • Consortium • Workforce Development/ 0 Comments

Business & Education Consortium Tours Forest Hills High School

Debi Balog
Director, Workforce Development
Members of the JARI Business and Education Consortium had the opportunity to tour the new Forest Hills Senior High on Friday, March 3rd. Attendees also heard from guest speaker, Marlene Singer, RN, Community Health Coordinator from Memorial Medical Center. She spoke of the 2015 PA Youth Survey (PAYS) results; This is (NOT) about Drugs Program; and The Johnstown Walk of Hope.

To learn more about the JARI Workforce Consortia, please contact Debi Balog at (814) 262-8366 or via e-mail at .

/ By Lauren Thompson / Cambria County • Consortium • Event • Media Releases • News • Somerset County • Workforce Development/ 0 Comments

Executive Director of CCDC Addresses Local Businesses

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(Photo courtesy of The Tribune Democrat)

Ronna Yablonski, Exective Director of the Cambria County Drug Coalition (CCDC), spoke with members of the JARI Healthcare and Safety Consortia on January 24th.  The meeting was planned to help members join the fight against drug abuse in an effort to create a capable workforce for our local businesses.

Yablonski mentioned that the CCDC was formed to bring together existing programs and develop new resources to battle the epidemic across the area. Area businesses can take part by supporting the coalition as a whole or supporting specific coalition components.

A full article can be found on the The Tribune Democrat  website.
/ By Lauren Thompson / Cambria County • Consortium • Event • News • Somerset County • Workforce Development/ 0 Comments

Manufacturing Consortium Members Tour Johnstown High School

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The JARI Manufacturing Consortium held their first meeting of 2017 at Greater Johnstown High School on January 10. Members of the group enjoyed breakfast prepared by the culinary students. They were also able to tour the trade shops and talk with students and faculty.
 

If you are interested in obtaining additional information about the JARI Consortia, please contact Debi Balog at (814) 262-8366 or by sending an e-mail to .

/ By Lauren Thompson / Cambria County • Consortium • Event • Somerset County • Workforce Development/ 0 Comments

Drug Coalition Director to Speak at the Consortia Meeting!

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Members of the HealthCare and Safety Consortia invite you to join them for their first meeting of the year.  Ronna Yablonski, Executive Director of the newly formed Cambria County Drug Coalition will be the guest speaker.  She will be presenting information on the goals and objectives of the coalition.  Attendees will have the opportunity to provide feedback on the plan and participate in an open discussion on the drug related issues facing our community.

 

The meeting will be held on January 24 at 8 AM at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, Richland Campus, Workforce Education Center.  If you are interested in attending the meeting and/or obtaining additional information, please contact Debi Balog at (814) 262-8366 or by sending an e-mail to .