Policy Makers

On February 13, 2009, Congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Four days later, President Obama signed the legislation into law. The Recovery Act’s three main goals are to create and save jobs; spur economic activity and invest in long-term economic growth; and foster unprecedented levels of accountability and transparency in government spending.

Locally, the SCWIB received funding under the ARRA, with levels in the chart below.

WIA Funding Stream	Allocation Amount
Adult	$522,113
Dislocated Worker	$973,717
Youth	$1,221,179
Total	$2,717,009

Increases in training and education opportunities are the focus of SCWIB activities. The SCWIB has released an RFP for class-size training to meet more immediate needs. These class-size training efforts will allow for local training providers to present current and in-demand training to local residents at a cost lower than the regular ITA process. After reviewing the RFPs, funding was reserved for Community College of Beaver County’s Broadband Academy and Westmoreland County Community College’s Just In Time Program XXX(possible link to pdf of rfp).

ITAs will still be available and will be utilized for trainings not covered by the class-sized training RFP. Job readiness training is being provided through the Work Certified Program. This nationally recognized work readiness program will supplement the youth program and prepare participants with important lessons of “real world” career expectations and trends. SCWIB has connected the Industry Partnerships with Regional Career Education Partnerships and Business Service Teams to create a universal service environment.

Another major focus of the SCWIB ARRA plan is an expansion of a Summer Component to the youth programs. ARRA funds will allow for training disconnected, out-of-school youth population to meet the demands of employers and allow these youth to find self-sustaining jobs and stay in our workforce area. Youth will complete the YESS Program, a program created from the Work Certified Program. Again, this program will ensure that our youth are ready to compete in today’s competitive society. These training accounts will be executed within the SCWIB’s high priority occupations and industry clusters.

To read the SCWIB ARRA Operational Plan, Click here

The mission of SCWIB is to develop policies, oversee public funds, and procure services that will help employers and job seekers throughout Washington, Greene and Beaver counties. Job placement assistance, education, training and counseling will be offered in order to achieve a skilled workforce and economic development throughout the region. We envision a regional labor pool that possesses the skills and attitudes to attract and retain employers who offer sufficient ages, benefits, and opportunities for advancement.

October 27, 2009: Dr. Bob Garraty to speak at SCWIB Meeting

Dr. Bob Garraty, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Workforce Investment Board will be presenting information to the SCWIB at its next meeting. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at the Hilton Garden Inn at Southpointe in Canonsburg, PA. The meeting will start at 8:30 am.

For more information on upcoming SCWIB meetings, view our event calendar.

August 31, 2009: Public Hearing for the updated SCWIB Local Plan

A public hearing to review the SCWIB Local Plan that is in effect from 2009-2012 was held on Monday, August 31, 2009 at 8:00 am.

The public was invited to come to discuss the initiatives and direction of this plan. The public was also invited to review the plan online and send comments, corrections and suggestions to our offices. All comments were collected and incorporated into the plan.

Download a full copy of the plan: Click Here

The following list of comments for the plan came from Richard Colyer, our state monitor from the PA Department of Labor and Industry:

1. In section II-A-5, expand your answer to include other categories of youth, e.g., out of-school youth, homeless youth, youth in foster care, etc.

2. In section II-A-6-b, discuss apprenticeships.

3. In section 111-A-1, describe the process of how the chief/lead elected official is selected from among all of the county commissioners.

4. In section 111-B-3, describe how the SCWIB ensures that meetings and information regarding activities are accessible to the public, including persons with disabilities. Specifically, indicate whether offices and meeting sites are ADA compliant and accessible.

5. In section IV-A, include more analysis.

6. In section IV-D, IV-E and IV-I, respond to the questions directly rather than referencing other sections.

7. In section IV-F, discuss more skill sets.

8. In section IV-G, provide data to support the claim that the region's population is older and aging.

9. In section IV-H, provide more insight concerning the impact of commuting patterns.

10. In section VII-B-3, describe how and when inventories are performed and the tagging process used for items that cost more than $5000.

11. In Appendix B, summarize public comments or note that none were received.

12. In Appendix C, update the organizational chart to clarify the nature of the relationship between the SCWIB and the WIA Title I contractors by using a dotted rather than solid line.

The 8/10/09 draft has been edited to reflect these comments.

Other changes we made to the 8/10/09 draft:

1. We added a PA CareerLink staff complaint form and WIA Title I contractor complaint and hearing procedure to Appendix H.

2. We added our Training Provider Subsequent Eligibility Policy as Appendix I.

3. We replaced our expiring onestop operator agreements in Appendix D with our new agreements.

August 31, 2009: Public Meeting on ARRA

The SCWIB held a public meeting on ARRA on Monday, August 31, 2009 at 8:30 am. The meeting was at the main office of Washington Greene County Job Training Agency, Inc.

The purpose of the meeting was to inform the public of the operational plans for the "stimulus" funds allocated to the Southwest Corner Workforce Investment Area. Allocation levels were reviewed and any questions or comments from those in attendance were recorded and taken into account.

June 15, 2009: Secretary Sandi Vito Visits Southwest Corner to Promote Industry Partnerships

On June 15, 2009, PA Secretary of Labor & Industry Sandi Vito visited the Beaver County Career & Technical Education Center in Monaca, PA to discuss the importance of the Industry Partnership programs for the Commonwealth. Ms. Vito spoke to a crowded room of job seekers, business owners, and many individuals involved in Industry Partnerships.

Read the official press release: Click Here

April, 2009: Oil & Gas Company VIP Extravaganza

In April, 2009, the SCWIB participated in an event, along with the Westmoreland/Fayette County WIB at an event held in Acme, PA at the Stonehenge Lodge. This night served as an exciting kick-off as industry leaders, service providers, and legislators came together to discuss the future of this new and emerging industry in Southwest Pennsylvania and all over the Commonwealth. Events like this lead to a consortium of WIB’s working together to apply to the federal government for a grant to fund an Industry Partnership centered on the Gas & Oil Industry.

Read more about this grant application and partnership, Click here

March 6, 2009: Beaver Local Elected Official Breakfast

PA CareerLink Operator Consortium hosted a Legislative Breakfast at the PA CareerLink Beaver County on March 6, 2009 with local legislators to review Beaver County lay off situation and response activities to serve affected individuals. Attendance included: State Representatives Jim Marshall and Jim Christiana; Commissioners Tony Amadio and Joe Spanik; staff from U.S. Representative Jason Altmire, State Representative Rob Matzie, and State Senator Elder Vogel.