Workforce Wayne recently announced that it is a recipient of a $285,000 grant from the latest round of Wall Street West funding. The partnership was one of 24 projects highlighted at a recent Wall Street West regional meeting.

“Over the past 18 months, Wall Street West has invested in projects designed to strengthen the region's ability to sustain the jobs of the future,” said Susan Shaffer, director of workforce initiatives, Wall Street West. “We are developing the necessary tools so that any resident who wants to learn about industries - like financial services or information technology - will have that opportunity.”

At the regional meeting, organizations received more than $6.5 million in federal Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) funds to create programs that will strengthen the workforce capacity to make the counties of Berks, Carbon, Lackawanna, Lehigh Luzerne, Monroe, Northampton, Pike and Wayne a pre-eminent locale for business attraction.

Workforce Wayne will utilize grant funds to create a comprehensive workforce delivery system within Wayne County. This includes hiring key personnel, establishing regional business-education partnerships, developing an effective communication strategy, and improving access to technology.

“This award will have a tremendous impact on the ability of Workforce Wayne to implement its program of work and will have a far reaching effect on the workforce, economic development, and educational opportunities in our area,” said Marie McDonnell, Director of Wayne County Job Training.

“The fact that federal funds through Wall Street West are being invested in Workforce Wayne is significant; and as a member of the Action Committee, I am proud of all the work that has been done in order for us to receive this regional recognition.”

Workforce Wayne

Workforce Wayne is a partnership of representatives from three school districts and higher education institutions serving Wayne County, chambers of commerce, private businesses, economic development organizations, job service agencies, and non-profit organizations. The initiative is innovative in nature - calling for collaboration, communication, and cooperation of many “non-traditional” workforce entities - and regional in that it encompasses the entire county and includes regional partners, such as the Pocono Counties WIB and NEPA Alliance. Since its inception in 2006, over 40 entities have participated.

The partnership is developing a broad-based framework for workforce development to achieve three overarching goals: strengthen workforce quality, develop career opportunities, and foster a culture of lifelong learning.

The Workforce Wayne Action Committee, which meets monthly, is comprised of representatives from Wallenpaupack Area School District, Lackawanna College (Honesdale Branch), Northampton Community College, Wayne County Job Training, Wayne County CareerLink Services, PA Dept. of Welfare, Pocono Counties Workforce Investment Board, Wayne/ Pike Adult Literacy, Wayne County Chamber of Commerce, Southern Wayne Regional Chamber of Commerce, Wayne Economic Development Corporation, WIRED/Wall Street West, Human Resource Center, Inc., Wayne County Commissioners, Cherry Ridge Realty, Linde Enterprises, Inc., Woodloch Pines, Waste Management, and Wayne Memorial Health Systems. 

For more information, contact Marie McDonnell, Wayne County Job Training, at 570-253-5970, ext. 1765.

Wall Street West

Wall Street West is a not-for-profit partnership in Northeastern Pennsylvania that is enhancing the financial services, information technology and related industries in the commonwealth through strategic workforce development and state-of-the-art economic development. Stemming from an interagency report by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Federal Reserve and the U.S. Department of the Treasury - whose recommendations make the nine-county region an optimal geographic location for secure data back-up and back office operations - the goal of Wall Street West is to work with firms in New York City and the surrounding metropolitan threat zones to establish supplemental facilities to safeguard data, fund the education and training of a growing workforce, and expand the competitiveness and potential of these industries.

The Wall Street West partnership is made up of the top-tier economic development agencies; technology investment groups; workforce development organizations; education and research institutions; and private sector companies in the region. With the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania acting as the project manager, Wall Street West has federal support through a $15 million Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) grant from the U.S. Department of Labor for education and job training, as well as a combined $24 million commitment by the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, and private industry to enhance existing infrastructure.

For more information on the Wall Street West partners and programs, please call 610-758-5233 or visit www.wallstreetwest.org.