The Pennsylvania CareerLink was created as a result of the 1998 federal Workforce Investment Act to deliver “one-stop” services for training, education and employment programs. The system was updated and realigned in the 2014 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. The commonwealth maintained PA CareerLink website is located at https://www.pacareerlink.pa.gov.
Locally Armstrong, Butler and Indiana counties have been appointed by the Workforce Investment Act to be overseen by the Tri-County Workforce Development Board, Inc.
For Job Seekers:
The PA CareerLink offers job seekers a one-stop to connect them to employment, training and support services. The Pa CareerLink is staffed with well-trained employers who offer job seekers a wide range of materials, consultation services and on-line access to a comprehensive database of employment information.
Individual Services include:
a. Job Referrals
b. Labor Market Information
c. Career Assessment
d. Literacy
e. Training
f. Disability Services
g. Youth Initiatives
h. Dislocated Workers
i. Veteran Employment and Benefits
j. Workshops
The PA CareerLink also offers free access to comprehensive job listings via the state web site, https://www.pacareerlink.pa.gov
For Employers:
PA CareerLink reaches out to employers through Business Services Teams, which consist of joint membership from all the PA CareerLink Partners. These teams visit employers and invite them to the one-stop centers for services.
One of the key services offered to employers is filling of job orders. The PA CareerLink system allows employers to view resumes and match job seekers to job openings via the on-line System. Employers can register through the on-line PA CareerLink site, https://www.pacareerlink.pa.gov
Employers have access to a full array of services such as:
a. Recruiting staff
b. Interviewing
c. Obtaining assistance with policy & regulations
d. Accessing subsidized employment opportunites
e. Accessing tax incentives
f. Job Fairs
g. Workshops
The PA CareerLink centers are staffed and operated by a consortium of local partners who ensure the local one stops offer quality services to job seekers and employers.
The PA CareerLink Operators are those partnering agencies who share the costs of operating the physical one stop site. These partners act as a consortium to coordinate services and determine priorities within the one stop center. PA CareerLink Partners are those agencies that provide employment and training services through the one-stop center. Mandatory partners are outlined in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. Other partners are recruited locally to increase services to employers and job seekers. The onsite services are provided based on the available positions brought forth by the different agencies working within the different PA CareerLink centers. Customers may be referred for additional services outside the PA CareerLink.
There is a PA CareerLink located in each of the three counties; for more information, a list of services and eligibility requirements contact a local office.