PA CareerLink® of the Southern Alleghenies is recruiting youth now! Services and programs are abundant and free of charge. Are you looking for work? Need some training to get where you want to be? Did you know that PA CareerLink® is an excellent resource for young people in Pennsylvania? We have programs and services that help youth every step of the way, and the market is hot so take action today.
One-on-one support
Our Career Advisors work one-on-one with youth to help them gain necessary skills and to find employment. In addition to assisting youth with finding employment, they help youth find and enroll in training programs, whether post-secondary school, on-the-job training, or apprenticeships. Our career planners help educate our youth (ages 12 up to the age of 24) to learn what skills are in demand in our local job market.
“I am very proud to say that we have an amazing and talented team of professionals who work very hard daily to help anyone in need. In my twenty years of workforce development experience, I have seen many success stories with our work experience and training programs. The most important thing we do for our community is (being) the ‘one-stop’ center for workforce development, industry training, job searching, and career exploration. All services are provided at no cost, and we go above and beyond to help anyone in need, and this includes the youth,” said Erin Geller, Program Manager of Adult and Youth Workforce Development Programs at the PA CareerLink® Bedford County.
Services and programs
PA CareerLink® offers paid work experience, on-the-job training and training programs, tuition assistance, professional resume writing, mock interviews, and career guidance. Currently, we are recruiting young adults up to the age of 24 – who have graduated or who haven’t completed high school, trade school, or college – for our Paid Work Experience (PWE) Program.
We implemented a robust incentive package offering the potential to earn up to $1,250.00 in incentives. Our out-of-school youth employment programs now have a higher wage of $10 an hour and a more extended program length.
PA CareerLink® is also teaming with local schools to offer career education and work readiness training (12 years old through 18). We work with all public schools in the Southern Allegheny Counties and all parochial schools that show interest. We reach out to schools via email, social media, and partnership meetings to offer job readiness and career exploration services. PA CareerLink® currently offers Tech Talks, Job Shadowing Opportunities, Learning Labs, and Industry Tours through our partnerships with schools.
Qualified job seekers can also apply for grants to assist them in post-secondary training (up to $6,000, up to 2 years of training) for occupations in high demand. In 2021, we assisted with approximately $309,000 in tuition assistance.
We also have supportive services available to assist job seekers in obtaining their GED, recognized certifications, and help coordinate childcare and transportation for job seekers while they are in our approved training programs. In addition, PA CareerLink® offers a diverse professional development program to develop and enhance digital literacy and soft skills, whether personally or professionally. Opportunities are robust, and this complimentary support is available to you. Contact Us.
Spotlight on Bedford County
Bedford County is currently looking for out-of-school youth ages 16-24 to participate in our Paid Work Experience (PWE) Program. Did you graduate? Did you withdraw from school? In either case, this program exists for you. It will help you:
- Gain valuable work experience
- Participate in workshops that help with gaining and retaining employment
- Earn up to $10 per hour with opportunity for additional incentives
PA CareerLink® of Bedford County is also proud to offer youth robust training opportunities:
- Career Development
- Skills and Aptitude Assessments
- Career and Post-Secondary School Exploration
- Money Management Skills
- Job Market Information
- Portfolio Development
- Professional Social Media Usage and Personal Branding
- Job Readiness Training
- Dressing for Success
- Job Search Assistance
- Mock Interviews
- Employer Expectations and Work Ethics
- Resume, Interview, and Application Tips
- Resume and Cover Letter Writing Assistance
- Development of Digital Technology Skills
In 2021, we helped local employers save $60,972.75 in wages through our On the Job Training programs, and Bedford County has had a 100% success rate with those employers hiring those workers. This month we are highlighting Bedford Reinforced Plastics. They have participated in PA CareerLink® youth programs for several years, including our PWE and Internship Programs. Dana Morris, Human Resources Coordinator, Marketing Support and Safety Supervisor, said, “Working with PA CareerLink® to find the right candidates for our programs has been a smooth process. We recommend it to other companies in the area. With help from PA CareerLink® programming and services, we have hired many qualified youth candidates over the years.”
Brady Allison is one of the students who participated. He completed paid work experience at Bedford Reinforced Plastics as a drafting intern for six months and was hired full-time as a Designer. “I was thrilled with PA CareerLink®. They and Bedford Reinforced Plastics helped me land my first professional position after school, and I will always be grateful.”
FAQs
What kinds of positions exist for youth?
Positions range from entry-level office assistants/maintenance personnel to industry-specific positions such as Manufacturing Technicians, Mechanics, Lab Techs, and more. It depends on the skill level and interests of the youth enrolling in our program and the current needs of our local employers.
What positions are paying well?
The market is hot right now. Wages are competitive and range from $9 -$20 per hour, depending on skills and experience. Our paid work program offers $9 per hour for in-school youth and $10 per hour for out-of-school youth. However, youth that perform well in our paid work experience programs are often hired on by the employer and have an opportunity to earn higher wages within a year of being a full-time employee at that business.
Youth Contact Us Today to Learn More and Get Started
We are dedicated to helping you in the region, and services are FREE.
PA CareerLink®-Bedford County
Hours: Monday-Friday 8 am – 4 pm; Friday 9 am – 4 pm
Phone: 814-623-6107
TTY: 814-623-6029
PA CareerLink®-Blair County
Hours: Monday-Thursday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm; Friday 9 am – 4:30 pm
Phone: 814-940-6200
TTY: 814-569-1066
PA CareerLink®-Cambria County
Hours: Monday-Thursday 8 am – 4 pm; Friday 9 am – 4 pm
Phone: 814-534-2500
TTY: 814-534-2511
PA CareerLink®-Huntingdon County
Hours: Monday-Friday 8 am – 4 pm
Phone: 814-641-6408
TTY: 1-866-395-0149
Employment and Training Inc.
Affiliate site of the PA CareerLink® Huntingdon-Fulton County
Hours: Monday-Friday 8 am – 4 pm
Phone: 717-485-5131
TTY: 717-485-3970
PA CareerLink®-Somerset County
Hours: Monday-Thursday 8 am – 4 pm; Friday 9 am – 4 pm
Phone: 814-445-4161
TTY: 814-444-5814