Are you up for the challenge to improve your education and be better prepared for the workforce? PA CareerLink® of the Southern Alleghenies is excited to be a part of the nationwide push for literacy. As part of the Pennsylvania Department of Labor’s strategic plan to increase the literacy and skill levels of individuals who make up PA’s workforce, PA CareerLink® of the Southern Allegheny counties is dedicated to helping job seekers increase literacy levels and, if needed, to obtain their High School Equivalency Credentials.

We meet you where you are in your learning needs. Combined with your employment needs, PA CareerLink® Career Advisors design a personalized employment plan for you. There is never a wrong time to achieve the goal of greater education, and the program can change and evolve as needed to keep you on track for career success.

As always, all services are free and available at no cost to anyone up for the challenge! Some questions to consider:

  • Did you lose your job during the pandemic and now could use some training to get back into the workforce? The time is now.
  • Are you a veteran who could use some help translating skills into the civilian sector? Maybe some additional training would help. The time is now.
  • Are you an adult age 18 or older that could use some educational support – maybe it’s earning your High School Equivalency Credentials or refreshing your math and reading skills to prepare for post-secondary education, or to get you to your next career move? The time is now.

Let us meet you where you are on your journey to improve your career status. “It is so rewarding to see job seekers take charge of their life – and PA CareerLink® has the free resources and connections to help job seekers get to the next level,” says Barbara Covert, PA CareerLink® Site Administrator/Executive Director.

“Through PA CareerLink®, all educational programs are grant-funded, so there is no cost to the students. Some students are enrolled in programs that are working towards their High School Equivalency Credential. Others are working towards a post-secondary education goal. Others want to increase literacy levels in math, science, and more. All the goals and all of our support are to help you be better positioned for the workforce,” said Barbara.

How does it work

PA CareerLink® of the Southern Alleghenies has close partnerships with the PA Department of Education-approved Adult Education Programs. Our Career Advisors and Adult Education partners work closely with you to assess where you are in your search and what additional education or training may better position you for success. In addition, we connect and work closely with the training providers to ensure your personalized employment plan is achieved.

Career Advisors work closely with the following Adult Education Programs to improve education throughout the region: Goodwill of the Southern Alleghenies (Cambria County); Somerset County Technology Center (Somerset & Bedford Counties); and the Altoona Area School District (AASD) Adult Education Program (Blair, Huntingdon, and Fulton Counties). “Our Adult Education partners are a vital piece of the workforce development process; they provide the educational resources to help job seekers get to the next level,” said Barbara. PA CareerLink® and its education partners work collaboratively to help job seekers/students find adult education classes in their area.

Regardless of what county you live in, PA CareerLink® and partners make adult education accessible. Locations are based on where services are needed and can be reached—for example, in addition to daytime class options, a provider may offer evening classes at a public library or be co-located at the PA CareerLink®. So contact your local PA CareerLink® office today to get some educational support and be on the way to better employment.

Services in Blair, Huntingdon, and Fulton Counties

Are you a job seeker in Huntingdon, Blair, or Fulton County? Do you want to earn your High School Equivalency Credential to improve your work status? Would you like to refresh your math or reading skills to be better positioned for post-secondary education, on-the-job training, or advance to the next level of your career? If the answer is yes, contact PA CareerLink® today. Once your Career Advisor and you work together to develop your employment plan, PA CareerLink® will coordinate adult education services for you with the AASD Adult Education Program. The program is the only PA Department of Education adult education provider in the three-county region.

The program is tax-funded, so services are offered at no cost to the adult, along with the PA CareerLink® services. It is a win-win. Tina Swineford, Director of the AASD Adult Education Program, explains, “Our program and all of our teachers are Pennsylvania Department of Education certified, which means they meet the highest levels of expectations and guidance in accordance with state and federal adult education funding.”

What does this mean for you? First, you can get to the next level of your career with free education from trained and certified instructors. The AASD Adult Education Program provides the following services in close collaboration with PA CareerLink:

  •  High School Equivalency Credential preparation and testing – classes are free – GED© or HiSET© exams are approved by PA for the Commonwealth Secondary School Diploma.
  • For example, brush-up classes for math and reading prepare an adult to be poised for enrollment and success in post-secondary education or better employment and career opportunities.

The partnership runs deep: when students contact the AASD Adult Education Program, they are advised of the benefits of enrolling with PA CareerLink®. Both organizations work together for success in working to educate the region and job seekers and students who are ready to rise to the challenge. Regarding PA CareerLink®, Tina told us, “We rely heavily on the partnership with PA CareerLink®, we refer many of our adults, and they refer many students to us. It’s a great relationship.”

Student Success Story: Annette

Annette’s goal to attain her High School Equivalency Credentials was motivated by her desire to give her children a Mom they could be proud of. In September 2019, Annette enrolled in AASD Adult Education Program evening adult education classes. When the Covid-19 pandemic hit in March 2020, this single mom didn’t slow down. Despite her oldest son learning virtually at home, a toddler, and a baby to care for, and working for Uber Eats, Annette made time to meet virtually with her teacher. She even asked for additional assignments, so she could study when the kids were asleep. In August 2020, she earned her High School Equivalency Credential! Annette’s persistence enabled her to overcome a lifetime of adversity, develop self-confidence, begin to see her potential, create a better life for her children than she had, and finally dream about her future. Thanks to opportunities afforded by PA CareerLink® Blair and Southern Alleghenies WIOA funding, Annette is now enrolled at Penn Highlands Community College and earning her Associate’s degree in Medical Coding and Billing. Recently, she was awarded a WISE Women of Blair County Scholarship.

Student Success Story: Jenaline

When Jenaline, a native of the Philippines, began adult education classes at the PA CareerLink® Huntingdon, her goal was to complete her High School Equivalency (HSE) Credential. While she faithfully attended HSE classes, Jenaline cared for her family and worked full time. She studied in class several days a week and online at home after work. As time progressed, and she had successfully completed half of the HSE test battery, she decided that she would like to obtain phlebotomy certification. After completing her HSE in October 2020, with most subjects at “college-ready level,” she began training for phlebotomy certification. On May 26, 2021, she passed the state licensing exam for phlebotomy and almost immediately began to pursue her next goal – becoming an LPN. In September 2021, her application was accepted, and in October 2021, she passed the entrance exam. Jenaline is now on her way to becoming a nurse!

Now is the time

Contact your local PA CareerLink office today. We are ready to work with you on an educational plan to help you shape a brighter future.

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