Workforce & Training
Workforce development and training are cornerstones of the Chester County Economic Development Council’s new facility. Equipped with a cutting edge conference and training center and a team of experienced workforce development service providers, the Economic Development Council is Chester County’s hub for workforce development activities.

Specific services and initiatives offered by the Chester County Economic Development Council and its partners include:

Industry Consortiums - Creating workforce solutions by bringing together industry specific groups designed to identify common issues and develop innovative solutions. Currently, the Chester County Economic Development Council leads consortiums in the following industries:

  Energy
    The Smart Energy Initiative (SEI) of Southeastern PA is a public-private partnership whose mission is to promote the growth of the "smart" energy industry by providing comprehensive business and workforce development services in the region.

From its inception in September, 2007, the SEI has grown to include more than 300 companies from around the region! Offering public education programming, incumbent worker training, and a host of other business-related services, the SEI has become a key resource for the energy community.

For more information, please visit SmartEnergyPA.org or contact:

Sally Silver, Project Manager at 610.458.5700 x 275 or ssilver@cceconomicdevelopment.com

Tyler Breiner, Project Coordinator at 610.458.5700 x 313 or tbreiner@cceconomicdevelopment.com

     
  Technology
    Innovative Technology Action Group (ITAG) - ITAG's mission is to create and sustain a regional partnership in Southeastern Pennsylvania that encourages technology companies and companies that use technology to grow their businesses in an increasingly sophisticated global marketplace. This is accomplished by working closely with participating companies, economic development agencies, and education/training partners to leverage workforce and business development resources on behalf of ITAG members. TechiesDay, TechTrek, and G.E.T.T. are examples of ITAG programs.

For more information, please visit www.itagpa.org or contact:

Anne Morris, ITAG Consultant at 610.458.5700 x253 or amorris@cceconomicdevelopment.com

Leslie Holmes, Project Coordinator at 610.458.5700 x311 or lholmes@cceconomicdevelopment.com

     
  Financial Services
    Chester County Bank Academy- The Chester County Economic Development Council’s newest industry consortium, the financial services group partners with RMA (Risk Management Association) to provide unique training opportunities for incumbent banking professionals and develops co-op opportunities with local high schools and Universities.
     
  Healthcare
   

The mission of the Chester County Health Care Partnership is to facilitate networking and sharing of information with local businesses, health care organizations and educational facilities.  This partnership will aid in collaboration for funding to develop more efficient and cost effective work place training and recruitment to benefit the health care industry.

The Chester County Economic Development Council (CCEDC) received funding from the Chester County Workforce Investment Board through the Pennsylvania Industry Partnership Project, part of the State of Pennsylvania's effort to proactively address critical workforce shortages in key occupations within the state's target industry sectors, and the State Activities Training Fund to implement and provide Industry Partnership Activities within the Health Care Industry.

The funding received by CCEDC will continue the efforts of the Chester County Health Care Task Force.  The Chester County Health Care Task Force was originally formed in 1998 at the Chester County Work Force Summit to address workforce development needs within the local health care delivery system.  The Task Force has now become the Chester County Health Care Partnership.  The group now includes more than 30 organizations: hospitals, continuing care facilities, acute rehabilitation facilities, educational institutions, and county development offices.

Training for current health care employees and outreach to recruit and retain health care workers are both integral parts of the Chester County Health Care Partnership's mission.  Outreach programs include, but are not limited to:

  • Presentations about nursing and allied health careers at Chester County high schools and other organizations upon request
  • Health Care Career Showcases held each spring at area health care facilities and educational settings to provide students with a close look at how the health care organizations and their employees operate.
  • Health Care Career Awareness Day held each November, along with the PA CareerLink, Chester County Department of Community Development, the Chester County Economic Development Council, the Chester County Intermediate Unit, and the Chester County Workforce Investment Board, to promote health care career opportunities.

For more information about the Chester County Health Care Partnership, visit its website at www.chestercountyhealthcare.org or contact:

Mary Fuchs, Program Consultant at 610.458.5700 x 308 or mfuchs@cceconomicdevelopment.com

Leslie Holmes, Project Coordinator at 610.458.5700 x311 or lholmes@cceconomicdevelopment.com



 

Conference and Training Facilities - The Chester County Economic Development Council's Conference and Training Center is available for public use. Facilities include a 20-seat computer training lab, an 80-seat multimedia conference room, and a flex room with wireless technology. Videoconferencing is coming soon. For more information please contact:

Kathleen Nader at 610.458.5700 x 210

Labor Market Information - CCEDC provides data profiling the current state of the County’s labor market.

CareerLink Satellite Office - Established as the first satellite office co-located with an economic development organization, the CareerLink offers a comprehensive menu of services for both employers and job seekers.

Education and Training Events - Chester County Economic Development Council and its partners offer business seminars and training opportunities to the business community. "Business Briefings", Lean certification, and Entrepreneurial Training are just a few examples. Visit the website for current offerings.

Small Business Counseling and Mentoring - In partnership with Kutztown University Small Business Development Center (SBDC), the CCEDC provides counseling and mentoring to county-based entrepreneurs. The Self Employment Assistance (SEA) and CREATE programs are uniquely designed for recently unemployed entrepreneurs and Coatesville-based entrepreneurs respectively.

Workforce Development Services provided at CCEDC:
  Chester County Economic Development Council
  Chester County Adult Training Alliance
  Chester County CareerLink
  Delaware Valley Industrial Resource Center (DVIRC)
  Information Technology Action Group (ITAG)
  Kutztown University Small Business Development Center
  Albright College
  Penn State University
  Springhouse Computer School

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