Chamber, partners launch new workforce development program Project PIVOT

WILKES-BARRE — Lindsay Griffin, president and CEO of the Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce and Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business & Industry on Monday announced the launch of a new workforce development program — Project PIVOT — a unique, collaborative program created and launched by Wilkes Barre Connect.

“Our organization has made it a priority to ensure the workforce needs of our businesses and our residents are met as we work to rebuild and strengthen our economy,” Griffin said. “Project Pivot allows for job seekers, those transitioning careers, and companies to find the resources they need in one place to accelerate their workforce training and upskill opportunities for workers in our area.”

Griffin said the Chamber is grateful for the support of the U.S. Economic Development Administration, area legislators, and the community partners who made the initiative possible.

“This innovative system allows for pathways to high demand careers to be aligned using national, state and local resources, while also allowing all residents of Luzerne County to upskill themselves for elevated career opportunities,” Griffin said. “Following COVID-19, having a skilled workforce aligned to the needs of our economic landscape is critical to our next steps, as we all work together to build a bright and strong future.”

Griffin said Wilkes Barre Connect — the entrepreneurial and economic development arm of the Chamber – aims to provide accelerated workforce training and upskill opportunities for workers in the region, aligning with the historic and seismic industry shifts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Griffin explained that participants of the pilot program will gain free access to 17,000-plus online LinkedIn Learning courses as a means of developing themselves professionally and upskilling in the careers and fields of their choice. She said the program is also designed to work directly with businesses in Luzerne County to provide their employees with the skills they need to grow within their companies.

In addition to free LinkedIn Learning access for their staff, businesses who participate in the pilot program with their employees will have the opportunity to work directly with their Project PIVOT team and the team at LinkedIn Learning to develop a specially-tailored pathway that is specific to their company and employee needs, Griffin added. She said this will help them to take their current workforce to the next level in their skillset, and to address any educational gaps their team may be experiencing.

“As we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, job training is as important as ever,” said Sen. Casey, D-Scranton. “This grant from the Economic Development Administration, made possible by the CARES Act which I advocated for in 2020, will help prepare Northeastern Pennsylvanians to meet the challenge of rejoining the workforce. I was pleased to join the Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce today to share this news and I will continue working to ensure that all Pennsylvanians have access to job training and job opportunity.”

Rep. Cartwright, D-Moosic, offered his congratulations to the Chamber and its partners in the launch of Project PIVOT.

“This initiative goes above and beyond our traditional workforce development offerings and offers free, remote access to valuable resources for job-seekers. Project PIVOT was made possible by a number of local partnerships along with funding from the CARES Act, which I was proud to fight for in Congress,” Cartwright said. “I’m glad to see that funding be brought back to Northeastern Pennsylvania to serve our local workforce.”

Besides the incredible benefit of gaining free access to the world’s largest professional network, Griffin said Project PIVOT is also partnering with the PA CareerLink and the Luzerne County academic institutions to offer a seamless continuum of services to users. For individuals, this includes hands-on classroom instruction, resume and cover letter writing, hot jobs notifications, mock interviews and more. For businesses, this includes hiring, training and retention services.

“The PA CareerLink Luzerne County and the Luzerne/Schuylkill Workforce Development Board are excited to partner with the Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce on Project Pivot,” said Christine Jensen, Administrator of the PA CareerLink Luzerne County. “The ability to offer access to LinkedIn Learning as well as training on SkillUp through the PA CareerLink website provides local residents with the opportunity to increase their skills and abilities to better meet the needs of business. The PA CareerLink stands ready to assist individuals with their job search and those already working with the tools necessary to gain that promotion through increased knowledge.”

Griffin said this full spectrum of workforce development strategies promises to address stubbornly persistent challenges to attracting and retaining skilled workers of all kinds in our region, with additional upskilling pathways specifically tailored to industries with high employment demands in Luzerne County, as identified by The Institute for Public Policy & Economic Development.

“The Institute is pleased to be a research and data partner and grant recipient for PIVOT,” said Terri Ooms, president and CEO of The Institute. “This project creates opportunities for workers and employees to improve their knowledge and skills without a cost to them thereby positively impacting both parties. The benefit of a higher skilled workforce benefits the region.”

U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Dallas, said, “Project Pivot will be a critical workforce development tool that partners with operating businesses to help provide training for real jobs for those seeking work in Northeastern Pennsylvania. This project will reach nearly 10,000 displaced workers to provide them with training, while reducing the job placement expectancy from 12 months to just 90 days. I supported their application for a U.S. EDA grant, and look forward to seeing the many people and businesses this project will help.”

To get started using Project PIVOT, interested individuals and businesses can visit — https://tinyurl.com/2avfb6na — to fill out an intake form and begin the registration process.

Project PIVOT is funded by a $313,000 U.S. Economic Development Administration CARES Act investment that was matched with $80,000 in local funding. The project is being launched in collaboration with core partners: The Institute, PA CareerLink of Luzerne County and LinkedIn Learning.

For more information or questions on the program, inquiries can be directed to: — Shanie Mohamed at Shanie@wyomingvalleychamber.org — or 570-408-1720.