Skills Gap Analysis
Workforce Development Board
The purpose of the Berks County Workforce Development Board is to identify the long-term, strategic workforce development needs of the community.
Workforce Development Board
Building Berks County’s Workforce
The purpose of the Berks County Workforce Development Board is to identify the long-term, strategic workforce development needs of the community; propose strategies to meet those needs; set priorities; build partnerships to align resources in support of those strategies; test specific initiatives to advance those ends; and measure and evaluate results.
We support the development and maintenance of a skilled and competitive workforce in alignment with the broader economic development efforts to attract, retain and grow business in Berks County.
PA Careerlink Berks County Resources
Employer Resources
PA CareerLink offers numerous services and benefits to employers. Get connected to resources available at no cost to you.
Resources for Current Employees
The incumbent worker training program assists employers in upgrading the skills of their workforce in order to remain competitive in their marketplace. Employers often seek resources to assist in training their incumbent workers on such things as new technologies, processes or leadership skills development.
- Benefits to the employer: The training helps ensure the employer of increased employee effectiveness.
- Benefits to the employees: The training provides new work-related skills and prepares the workers for job upgrades.
Incumbent worker training must lead to an in-demand occupation (as determined by the local Workforce Development Board), but it does not have to lead to a high-priority occupation (HPO). However, because all HPOs are also in-demand occupations, they are likely eligible for incumbent worker training.
Resources for New Hires
Their On-the-Job Training (OJT) program allows businesses to offset some costs associated with training new hires.
- Businesses are reimbursed at least 50% of a new, eligible employee’s wages for a pre-determined time period
- Average reimbursement per employee is $3,000 – $4,000
- Administration of the OJT takes a minimal amount of company time
- Training is implemented by you and your incumbent staff, the true job experts
- We can refer eligible candidates to you, or you can identify them yourself and forward their information to the Business Services Team to determine your eligibility
- Full time (30 or more hours per week) positions that provide direct new hires with permanent employment (as opposed to seasonal or temporary) are potentially eligible
- Applications must be approved in advance of the new hire’s first day of employment. Contact the Business Services Team at least 5 business days before the start date
Job Seekers
Are you unemployed and looking for work? Are you currently working and looking for a better job? Do you want to look into upgrading your skills to get that next job?
Young Adults
This program helps young adults find stable, meaningful careers through education and career services and supportive case management. The Young Adult Program serves 17 to 24 year-old out-of-school residents of Berks County.Â
The Latest News
From the Workforce Development Board
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