Careers and Credentials: Clinton County CareerLink Awareness Day Event Promotes Free Resources for Job Seekers and Employers
By Emily Wright
LOCK HAVEN— On Wednesday, September 10, 2025, area residents filed into the Clinton County CareerLink office on North Grove Street for PA CareerLink Awareness Day—an open-house event that was held at multiple PA CareerLink locations across the state to promote the free workforce development services, resources, programs, and personalized support available to local job seekers and employers through the PA CareerLink network..
Spearheaded by the PA Department of Labor & Industry in partnership with Advance Central PA, the region’s Workforce Development Board, the event ran from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Throughout the morning, people from all backgrounds stopped in to explore opportunities for starting a career, advancing in their current field through training or education, switching career paths, or strengthening their business’s workforce. PA CareerLink Awareness Day is designed to connect job seekers with employers who are hiring, as well as with training providers and various community services.
“PA CareerLink Awareness Day Showcases the important services offered at our sites across the Central Pennsylvania region,” said Erica Mulberger, Executive Director of Advance Central PA. “From connecting job seekers to training and employment, to helping businesses meet their workforce needs, we are excited to share how PA Career Link is a valuable resource for the community.”
During the event, attendees had the opportunity to meet with hiring representatives from several major local employers, including the Keystone Central School District, Educational Support Services (ESS) Williamsport, Susquehanna Trailways, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), and Truck-Lite Co., LLC. Commonwealth University-Lock Haven was also on hand to share information about its workforce development training programs.
CareerLink staff provided resume reviews, career counseling, and details on a variety of training opportunities. Currently, one of the most popular offerings at the Clinton County CareerLink office is the “Ace the Interview Workshop.” Led by a CareerLink instructor, this workshop gives participants practical tips and guidance on how to succeed in job interviews. The next “Ace the Interview Workshop” is scheduled for Friday, September 26, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Lock Haven CareerLink office. Workshops like these help job seekers build skills that are essential for today’s job market, including preparing thoughtful responses to challenging interview questions and practicing professional follow-up etiquette. To register for this workshop or others, visit www.pacareerlink.pa.gov or call the office during business hours at 570-893-4022.
Attendees also had the chance to explore innovative career pathway tools on display at the event, including the Transfr Virtual Reality (VR) Program offered through PA CareerLink. This cutting-edge program allows users to immerse themselves in “day-in-the-life” simulations of high-demand careers across various fields, including healthcare, agriculture, construction, manufacturing, and more.
With the use of VR headsets, participants can experience realistic, hands-on simulations of various occupations—such as working as an esthetician in a spa, providing emergency medical assistance at the scene of a simulated car accident, or assisting with a knee surgery—all tailored to the user’s area of interest. The Transfr VR program gives job seekers and students an innovative way to explore career options and develop job skills, allowing them to get a feel for various professions before committing to training or employment in those fields.
Another key resource featured at PA CareerLink Awareness Day was the SkillUp online learning platform. This free tool is available to both job seekers and businesses who have a PA CareerLink online account, providing access to a wide range of self-paced training programs. After creating an account on the PA CareerLink website, users can log in to the SkillUp portal at any time to learn valuable job skills, such as digital literacy, proficiency in business software like Microsoft Office and Excel, and even earn industry-recognized credentials to enhance their employability.
The platform is regularly updated to stay aligned with current workforce demands, making it useful for both individuals just starting out in their careers and those seeking a career change. SkillUp is also an excellent resume builder, allowing participants to gain new skills and earn certificates across multiple fields. In addition to supporting job seekers, employers are utilizing SkillUp for staff development, as it allows their employees to learn and enhance their job skills from home at no cost—eliminating the need for expensive external training.
During PA CareerLink Awareness Day, the Clinton County CareerLink office hosted representatives from the Workforce Development department at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, who were on hand to share information and resources about the program with job seekers. The Workforce Development program is available both online and in person at all three Commonwealth University campuses—Lock Haven, Mansfield, and Bloomsburg—depending on the chosen area of study. This program is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed for today’s job market, preparing them for professional-level positions in a variety of high-demand occupations.
Angelic Hardy, Director of Workforce Development at Commonwealth University-Lock Haven, attended the event and spoke with The Record about the many opportunities available through the Workforce Development Training Program. The program offers short-term training for individuals and professional development courses for businesses or companies. Areas of study include, but are not limited to, healthcare training—such as phlebotomy, pharmacy technician, and medical billing and coding—along with legal studies, leadership development, Certified HVACR, Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training, public safety training for careers in criminal justice, emergency responder training, and Act 120 Police Academy courses for future municipal police officers. Additional course offerings and certificate programs that are offered include Professional Life Coaching, Veterinary Assistant training, Optician Certification Training, as well as programs in health and fitness, computer science, and construction and trades, among many others, all of which are listed on CU-Lock Haven’s Workforce Development program website, linked below.
Through its partnership with the Keystone Central School District, the Workforce Development program also offers Computer Numeric Control (CNC) Machinist and Pre-Apprenticeship training, expanding skill-building opportunities in technical fields.
A notable addition to the Workforce Development program is the auctioneering course. Here, students receive hands-on experience in the auction industry under the guidance of a PA-licensed auctioneer. Commonwealth University–Lock Haven is one of only three institutions in Pennsylvania that is licensed to offer this specialized training.
The program also provides access to a variety of testing services, including graduate and law school entrance exams, nursing school entrance exams, high school equivalency tests (GED, HISET), and a wide array of other professional certification and licensure exams.
To explore the full range of courses, certificate programs, and career training opportunities available online and on campus through the program at Commonwealth University, visit the Workforce Development page on the Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania website at https://workforce.commonwealthu.edu.
PA CareerLink’s support extends far beyond job searching. One key example is the Employment Advancement and Retention Network (EARN) Program, a free service that helps individuals receiving SNAP benefits find stable employment and work toward a better future for themselves and their families. EARN participants work one-on-one with CareerLink staff, who provide them with wellness coaching, job search assistance, help with resume writing, and access to skill-building programs such as GED classes.
The EARN Program also focuses on developing essential life and workplace skills, such as effective communication and establishing healthy routines at home. By connecting participants with local employers and community support services, the EARN Program provides the resources and support needed to succeed in the workforce and achieve their personal goals.
With new training programs, resources, and educational opportunities continually expanding, Clinton County’s CareerLink office remains a vital community hub for employment support and personal growth. Certificate programs offered through Commonwealth University’s Workforce Development—spanning from business and healthcare to veterinary assistance and more—provide valuable pathways for acquiring new skills and advancing in one’s career.
CareerLink representatives emphasize that community events like this are more than just information sessions—they serve as launching pads for brighter futures throughout Pennsylvania.
Ready to Take Your Next Step?
For those who missed the PA CareerLink Awareness Day event, the Clinton County CareerLink office remains open to the public with a wealth of no-cost services at 8 North Grove Street, Suite C, Lock Haven, PA 17745.
To explore available services, discover resources, view current local job postings, or register for upcoming workshops, visit https://centralpacareerlink.org. For the latest updates and information, follow the PA CareerLink Lycoming and Clinton Counties Facebook page at www.facebook.com/PACareerlinkLycoming.
To find a full list of services and resources offered by PA CareerLink offices in other counties across Pennsylvania, visit www.pacareerlink.pa.gov.
Phone: (570) 893-4022
Hours of Operation:
Monday & Thursday: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m
