Q and A's

Q: What is a Workforce Investment Board (WIB)?

A: A Workforce Investment Board is a group of high-level representatives of business and industry, education, public welfare, community action and social service agencies, labor unions, vocational rehabilitation and labor and industry that are appointed by the local elected officials in a state-designated Workforce Investment Area.


Q: What is the function of the WIB?

A: The group of individuals, as described above, provides oversight and guidance in the distribution of Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funding for operational activities as well as implementation of statewide workforce development initiatives.


Q: What is the Workforce Investment Act (WIA)?

A: The Workforce Investment Act is federal legislation that was most recently passed in 1998 which dictates rules and regulations for distribution of employment and training funds throughout the United States.


Q: What is a Workforce Investment Area?

A: As allowable under the Workforce Investment Act, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has designated twenty-two (22) regionalized areas to serve as distributors of WIA funding and service provision. These areas range in size from single-County to dual-County to multi-County areas. Lackawanna County is designated as a single-County Workforce Investment Area. Each Workforce Investment Areas is represented by a single Workforce Investment Board comprised of individuals representing all counties within their designated area.


Q: Where are services provided?

A: Services are provided through the WIB's operational arm - the PA CareerLink Lackawanna County - which is located at 135 Franklin Avenue in downtown Scranton, PA.


Q: What type of services are available?

A: A wide variety of services are available including, but not limited to, up to $8,000 in training dollars (WIA eligibility requirements apply); employment related workshops; testing and assessment; one-on-one case management; basic computer skills classes; employer incentives; business outreach; community interaction; job postings; resume listings; State Civil Service testing; resume preparation and labor market information.


Q: What is the cost of these services?

A: All services are FREE to both job seekers and employers.


Q: How do I access these services?

A: Comprehensive services can be accessed by visiting the CareerLink or by calling 1-800-NEW JOBS. To post a resume, state job preferences and/or search for jobs, just log onto www.pacareerlink.state.pa.us from any internet-linked computer.


Q: How does the WIB support local business and industry?

A: WIB staff is available to discuss Governor Edward G. Rendell’s statewide Job Ready PA Initiative which provides funding in high-priority occupational categories for the development of Industry Partnerships and training for upgrading of the incumbent worker population.


Q: What is a high-priority occupation?

A: High-Priority occupations are those jobs that are in demand in any given Workforce Investment Area with predictions for growth. Information on Pennsylvania's High-Priority Occupations can be found at www.paworkforce.state.pa.us.


Q: What is an Industry Partnership?

A: An Industry partnership is a group of individuals working together to promote advancement and upgrading of and within a specific industry cluster.


Q: What is an industry cluster?

A: An industry cluster consists of a group of industries that are closely linked by common product markets, labor pools, similar technologies, supply chains, and/or other economic ties. Pennsylvania's targeted industry clusters can be found at www.state.pa.us Keyword: Labor Market Information.


Q: How can I contact the WIB?

A: Information about the WIB and its services can be obtained through contact of the WIB staff at 570-342-3649. The WIB administrative office is located in Suite 215 of the Scranton Enterprise Center, 201 Lackawanna Avenue in downtown Scranton.