Auditor General DePasquale Invites Public to Feb. 28 Wilkes-Barre Forum on Training for Local Workers

Says targeted job training is essential to a healthy Northeastern Pennsylvania economy

February 24 2017

Auditor General DePasquale Invites Public to Feb. 28 Wilkes-Barre Forum on Training for Local Workers 

Says targeted job training is essential to a healthy Northeastern Pennsylvania economy

Printer friendly press release

HARRISBURG (Feb. 24, 2017) – Auditor General Eugene DePasquale today invited local residents, along with  community, business and education leaders, to join him for a forum with a panel of experts to discuss the critical need for targeted work force training and development in Northeast Pennsylvania. 

The forum will be held:  Tuesday, Feb. 28, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the THINK Center, Lower Level, 7 South Main St., Wilkes-Barre.

The public is welcome to attend and ask questions.

“We need training programs that provide workers with the skills they need to succeed in today’s ever-changing job market,” DePasquale said. “We want to make sure workers are getting those skills so they can land good jobs where they can earn a respectable wage to raise their families and that help our communities to thrive and prosper. 

“I am holding several public meetings across the state to gather information on work force training needs and prepare for an audit of the effectiveness of state-funded work force training programs. I want to hear from local residents about what works, what doesn’t work and what we can do better.”

DePasquale will lead a discussion of panelists which includes the region’s top employers, educators and advocates for business and industry. They plan to discuss the wide range of industries in the region, including: health care, service sector, manufacturing, transportation and warehousing. The panel is expected to include representatives from: 

• Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce,

• Mohegan Sun Pocono,

• Luzerne County Community College, 

• Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance,

• Northeast PA Manufacturers and Employment Council, and

• Geisinger Medical Center.

This is the second work force forum hosted by DePasquale. In January, he held a successful discussion in Beaver County attended by more than 125 people.

Dates and locations for the future workforce training forums will be announced in the coming weeks and posted online at: www.PaAuditor.gov.

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