Human Services Center Corporation (HSCC)

Employment

Mission

To develop a network of agencies to work toward enhancing the linkage of persons seeking employment with training programs.

	To identify the skills available by the employable of the Mon Valley to attract business to the region.
	To connect those people seeking employment with appropriate training programs through ongoing forums.
	To promote the qualities of the employable in the Mon Valley.
	To identify the future jobs available and to attempt to influence the design of for those opportunities.

To develop a network of agencies to work toward enhancing the linkage of employers with employees.

	To increase the ability of social service providers to connect clients with employment by securing ongoing presenters from the private sector for meetings.
	To establish an ongoing relationship for dialog with private sector for employers.

Contact Information

For more information on the Working on Employment & Training, contact the Mon Valley Providers Council at 412-829-7112 or rsmith@hscc-mvpc.org.

Current Projects

The annual Super Expo is held on a Saturday in April to combine all aspects of the MVPC, including the former Career Expo. Since 2004, the event has been a huge success with over 1,000 people attaining pertinent employment information. This event is held on a Saturday each spring at Century III Mall in West Mifflin, most likely from 10:00am-4:00pm. Check the News and Events link for more information. Speakers and field trips to unique projects are coordinated for member agencies at the monthly meetings.

Meeting Information

The Working Group on Employment & Training meets monthly on the first Thursday from 9:00a.m. – 10:30am. The meeting location varies.

Current Co-Chairs

	Melanie Porach, CCAC South Campus
	Tiffanee Heywood, Goodwill Industries

Links

	www.pittsburgh-region.org, Pittsburgh region’s occupation and workforce link
	www.pacareerlink.state.pa.us, Team Pennsylvania

History

Developed in response to the massive unemployment of the 1980s, the working Group on Unemployment began to provide access to employment opportunities through a network of providers in the field. Over the years, the Group shifted its focus toward the positive aspects of its mission and renamed itself as the Working Group on Employment. In 1994, the dimension of Training was added, as it was learned that the people of the Valley were not trained for the existing jobs in the region.

In 1994 the Group advocated for retaining JTPA funding. Such a cut would have resulted in a reduction of other state and federal job training funds. Since 1994 the Group has worked with the County’s Department of Development toward encouraging the employment of women and minorities to meet section 3 Guidelines. In 1995, the first Career Expo was implemented, resulting in 13 jobs (out of 81 participants). Each year has surpassed expectations. The 1999 Expo well exceeded all expectations and benchmarks. Over 350 job seekers attended the event, sponsored by Peoples Natural Gas Company. Over 600 jobs were available through the 78 participating employers. An outstanding 80 (22.9%) people reached in follow-up attained quality jobs with benefits. In 2000, the Career Expo was expanded to a twice yearly event. Currently, both career expos are now part of the Super Expo, incorporating the MVPC's four Working Groups, hosted by Century III Mall in the spring.

In 1998, the Working Group convened an 18 month process to ensure a comprehensive CareerLink site was established in the Mon Valley under the Workforce Investment Act. In 2002, in cooperation with the Employment and Education Committee of the McKeesport Collaborative, the Working Group seeded a GED Testing Center at CCAC South. The goal of testing at least 100 people per year was far exceeded when 223 people took the test in the first three months. Both the CareerLink and GED Testing Center are thriving on their own thanks to initial efforts of the Working Group on Employment and Training.

Last Modified: May 22, 2008