Have an interest in a particular type or area of work but need the training to make it happen? PA CareerLink® has a solution to explore. The On-the-Job Training (OJT) Program is yet another example of how we bring employers and job seekers together. Employers participate in the program because they have available full-time positions and have a work culture focused on training. For the job seeker, this requires a commitment to complete the training and the ability to secure a full-time position after the training period has ended. Are you ready to move forward? The PA CareerLink® OJT Program provides job seekers with:

  • Job readiness skills
  • Skills in a specific occupation
  • Training an at employer’s place of business
  • An opportunity for permanent employment based on performance

Above all, and as always, your PA CareerLink® Career Advisor will make the connection between you and your potential future employer. Job seekers have access to counseling as needed throughout the training period. This counseling includes job readiness activities and regular check-ins throughout employment and training. The OJT Program matches job seekers based on skills, aptitude, and training/career interests with the right employer. It’s our priority to provide one-on-one services. Each job seeker has a dedicated Career Advisor throughout participation in the program. Your Career Advisor, working closely with the employer, will develop a training plan based on job tasks and past education and experience.

Get Engaged

If you or someone you know is interested in on-the-job training and a permanent full-time position, the time is now. Employers are coming to us, and there are hands-on training opportunities available in many fields (mechanical, machinery, healthcare, administrative assistance, and more). Ready to make at least $13.80 per hour for adults or at least $10.00 per hour for youth while learning skills to last a lifetime? Or interested in participating as an employer and being reimbursed for part of the training? Stop into an office or call today.

Locations, phone numbers, and open times are by county below.

PA CareerLink®-Bedford County
One Corporate Dr., Suite 103
Bedford, PA 15522
Hours: Monday-Friday 9 am – 3 pm
Phone: 814-623-6107

PA CareerLink®-Blair County
Downtown Altoona Transportation Center
1231 11th Ave.
Altoona, PA 16601
Hours: Monday-Thursday 9 am – 3 pm; Friday 10 am – 3 pm
Phone: 814-940-6200

PA CareerLink®-Cambria County
248 Main Street, Suite 100
Johnstown, PA 15901
Hours: Monday-Friday 9 am – 3 pm
Phone: 814-534-2500

PA CareerLink®-Huntingdon County
54 Pennsylvania Ave.
Huntingdon, PA 16652
Hours: Monday-Friday 9 am – 3 pm
Phone: 814-641-6408

Employment and Training Inc.
Affiliate site of the PA CareerLink® Huntingdon
PA CareerLink®-Fulton County
122 W Market St.
McConnellsburg, PA 17233
Hours: Monday-Friday 9 am – 3 pm
Phone: 717-485-5131

PA CareerLink®-Somerset County
6022 Glades Pike
Somerset, PA 15501
Hours: Monday-Friday 9 am – 3 pm
Phone: 814-445-4161

Success Story

In Huntingdon County, the employer, the job seeker, and the PA CareerLink® Career Advisor came together for success. Here is their story.

The employer – Joseph T Berrena’s Mechanicals, Inc. (JTB Mechanicals, Inc.)

An active registered employer in Huntingdon County for many years, Joseph T Berrena’s Mechanicals, Inc. has been serving commercial and residential clients in the central PA region since 2002. A mechanical contractor, the company does service, installation, and preventative maintenance of commercial kitchens, refrigeration, HVAC (heating and cooling), and industrial laundry equipment. The 30+ employee business runs like a big family. Kylie Berrena, Office Manager, describes how the company was approached to take part in the OJT Program with PA CareerLink. “It was perfect timing. Our trade work was expanding and we needed people.”

“PA CareerLink® has a seamless process, and we have gotten great people from their program. The employees come in and get the education they need to do the work,” Kylie explains. Her father, the owner Joe, said “if the person is willing to work and willing to learn, they can be taught most everything.” Kylie adds, “Where else do you work and learn 6-7 different trades?”

About PA CareerLink®, Kylie says “Denise Hancock held my hand through the entire process. I would recommend PA CareerLink to any small business to take advantage of everything they have to offer. There is so much untapped potential for a business when working with PA CareerLink. They were a lifesaver for us especially during these hard times. We could be spending a lot of money on headhunters, but we have this fantastic service right here. Not only do they help us find employees, but they do the necessary screening so that we know we are getting someone who is a good fit for us.”

The job seeker – Joshua Carroll (Josh)

Josh was working in Philadelphia when COVID hit. He was furloughed and decided to move closer to home to figure out next steps. He has known the Berrena family for a long time, and his friend Jessica Berrena told him he should come in and check out the business. Since he worked in sales in Philadelphia, the Berrenas thought he might be a good candidate to learn the mechanical side of the business and work in business development.

He was introduced to Denise Hancock from PA CareerLink® and she helped him get enrolled in the OJT program. He is really enjoying his job which gives him opportunities to learn an entirely new industry. Josh remembers seeing all the trucks growing up, so he knew they had a great long-standing business. He found the paperwork part of the business easy to pick up and then started going out into the field to understand the way they quote jobs based on installation, parts, and other details. “It has been a really great learning experience. When we go out into the field, we take measurements, assess the problem, and make sure we have everything we need when we go to do an install,” Josh said.

He has found that the theory and reading instructions are important, but the real-life, hands-on experience is invaluable to learning the job. A lot of my friends got displaced during COVID and many went back home. “I’m on a new path with a new skill set, I see the potential of this job and being closer to my family and friends, it’s a path I see myself on.”

Kylie from Joseph T Berrena’s Mechanicals, Inc. says, “Josh was a special find through PA CareerLink®. With his sales background, we are teaching him how to do drafts, quotes, and have put him in direct contact with customers for follow up and quality service. He’s doing a great job!”

The PA CareerLink Career Advisor – Denise Hancock

Denise Hancock has many roles and responsibilities with PA CareerLink® as a Title One Program Supervisor and Career Advisor. Those roles include the development and implementation of OJT Program contracts. Over the past three years, she has successfully executed 31 OJT contracts with local employers. Denise says, “I love working one-on-one with job seekers, whether that means sending them to school or finding employment. With employers, I get to know them, and understand what they need from their employees, and what kind of training they offer. It is a rewarding experience to make the connection.”

She has her own story of success with PA CareerLink® which informs her interaction and support throughout the OJT process. Denise was displaced early in her career. She went back to school, and PA CareerLink® helped her with the back-to-school process. Being through this process herself really helps her relate to job seekers. Now, she has been with PA CareerLink® for 13 years and continues to support job seekers and employers by making the right matches.

“We always want to put job seekers in the best position, getting to know the job seeker and their interests and abilities is so important,” says Denise. From the employer perspective, Denise explains how Joseph T Berrena’s Mechanicals, Inc. has a work plan as part of the OJT Program: some training happens in the classroom and some happens in the field. Denise took all of this into consideration when matching Joseph T Berrena’s Mechanicals, Inc. with Josh Carroll.

Denise strives to make more matches in the future and describes how the process works. “Job seekers who qualify for the OJT Program get letters of eligibility that explain the program. The letters may be submitted with resumes or taken to job interviews. This results in new businesses wanting to participate in the OJT Program, and in job seekers landing OJT opportunities. As the conduit between Joseph T Berrena’s Mechanicals, Inc. and Josh Carroll, Denise says “Our OJT Program gives employers the ability to take a chance on an employee and it gives job seekers the ability to broaden their knowledge base and skillset and to be positioned for future success. If they are motivated with a great attitude, they are trainable.”