‘The Link’ Offers Mobile Career Services to County Residents

Participating in the ribbon cutting ceremony for The Link at the Renovo Area Library Wednesday afternoon were, from left, Clinton County Commissioners Paul Conklin and Pete Smetlz; Link Outreach Coordinator Kelly Johnson; Renovo Borough President Ann Tarantella; Patty Rauch, Renovo Borough Council; Julie Brennan, Clinton County Economic Partnership Chamber/Tourism Director; Link Outreach Coordinator Robert Eddy; and Commissioner Jeff Snyder.

By LaKeshia Knarr
RENOVO – Celebrating the launch of “The Link,” a new mobile career center, local officials gathered Wednesday afternoon at the Renovo Area Library, 317 Seventh St., for an official ribbon cutting ceremony.

The Link is taking some of CareerLink’s services on the road – and Clinton County is one of nine counties in Central Pennsylvania to benefit from the new program.

Staffed with career service professionals from PA CareerLink, the bus will offer scheduled stops at local libraries in communities throughout the region without brick and mortar CareerLink offices, explained Robert Eddy, Link Outreach Coordinator. The vehicle has been retrofitted with seven computer stations, internet accessibility, a printer and a presentation screen, and it is also wheelchair accessible.

The public will be able to get help with job searches, resume writing and preparing for interviews, Eddy said. Work readiness workshops and trainings will also be provided. More in-depth services, such as those involving caseworkers, will continue to be provided by the CareerLink office located in Lock Haven, he noted.

“It’s not just for job seekers,” explained Link Outreach Coordinator Kelly Johnson.
Businesses and other organizations will also be able to take advantage of The Link for on-site events, such as recruitments, job fairs and community happenings, Johnson said. The Link will also be available for Rapid Response events to help get recently laid off individuals back to work, she added.

Clinton County Commissioner Paul Conklin said that in his professional career companies often looked to CareerLink to fill open positions and this on-site service would be a benefit to such businesses.

“This is fantastic because it can be a burden for some people, for example from Renovo, to drive 27 miles one way to get to the local CareerLink office,” said Commissioner Jeff Snyder.

“We’re excited about this,” said Commissioner Pete Smeltz, chairman of the board, who noted this mobile career service represents a pilot program for the Commonwealth. “This allows us to provide better service, where maybe unemployment is high, so people can make that link or connection to the offerings of CareerLink… This is in addition to our current services. We’re not losing what we already offer and we as commissioners are so pleased that this service is being offered.”

Launched by the Central Pennsylvania Workforce Development Corporation (CPWDC) in late July, The Link is operated by Central Susquehanna Opportunities, Inc. Smeltz explained that each county served by The Link has representation on the CPWDC board. In addition to Clinton County, The Link provides services to Centre, Columbia, Lycoming, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder and Union counties. The project is funded by a Community Based Partnership grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry as well as support from the CPWDC.

To learn more about The Link’s schedule, search for @TheLinkMCC on Facebook. To inquire about hosting The Link at a career event, contact Link Outreach Coordinator Kelly Johnson at 570-220-0003 or kjohnson@censop.com.

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