Westmoreland-Fayette Workforce Investment Board

10/06/2026

🏭 Manufacturing Month is a great time to recognize the employers and partners working together to support a strong manufacturing workforce in Westmoreland and Fayette counties.

Thank you to the manufacturing leaders and community partners who attended yesterday’s Westmoreland-Fayette Manufacturing Industry Partnership meeting, Fueling Retention Together: Building Strong Teams for Manufacturing Success. Special thanks to Rebecca Harmon, MPM, RHIA, CCA, Instructor of Workforce Development at the Community College of Allegheny County, for leading the session on retention, workplace culture, and building stronger teams.

Interested in getting involved with the Westmoreland-Fayette Manufacturing Industry Partnership? Contact Ryan Butter at [email protected] to learn more.

📍 PA CareerLink Westmoreland County at Youngwood

10/05/2026

Manufacturing plays an important role in the workforce of Westmoreland and Fayette counties. Together, the two counties are home to approximately 670 manufacturing establishments. The Westmoreland-Fayette Manufacturing Industry Partnership brings manufacturers together to discuss shared workforce priorities, including recruitment, retention, training, talent development, and other challenges affecting the industry.

Are you a manufacturing employer in Westmoreland or Fayette County? Learn more about the partnership and how to get involved at westfaywib.org/mfgip/ or contact Ryan Butter at the WFWIB.

Source: Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, Center for Workforce Information & Analysis, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025 Annual Averages.

10/02/2026

October is Manufacturing Month! 🏭

Manufacturing supports more than 21,000 jobs in Westmoreland and Fayette counties, demonstrating the important role the industry plays in our local workforce.

Throughout the month, the WFWIB will highlight manufacturing careers, employers, partnerships, and workforce initiatives supporting this important industry.

Source: PA Department of Labor & Industry, CWIA, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025 Annual Averages.

10/01/2026

As Experience WORKS! begins to wrap up for the fall, we wanted to take a moment to highlight one of the amazing young people who has been working hard with the Plans of Safe Care (POSC) Program in Uniontown.

Meet Kenzie, a 10th-grade student at Connellsville High School!

Kenzie took on a unique summer job assignment this year. Working alongside the POSC staff, she created an “Escape Room”–style experience right inside their office. The goal? To help new parents recognize the hidden hazards that can be present for infants and toddlers.

Parents were given a form and asked to explore the room, searching for things that could potentially cause an injury to a young child. Kenzie then reviewed their answers and helped lead conversations about childproofing and preparing for children’s changing needs as they grow, from crawlers to walkers and beyond.

But Kenzie’s experience didn’t stop there! She also gained valuable skills by working hands-on with clients and learning what it’s like to work in a busy office environment.

This week, Kenzie will complete her 200 hours with Experience WORKS! She is grateful for her “non-traditional” summer job and the skills she has gained to help prepare her for her future career.

Kenzie says programs like Experience WORKS!, funded through the Westmoreland-Fayette Workforce Investment Board, provide youth with more than just a paycheck. They give them the opportunity to explore real-life career possibilities and gain skills they can take with them into the future.

Way to go, Kenzie! We can’t wait to see where your future takes you!

09/30/2026

As comes to a close, we hope the stories shared throughout September offered a glimpse into the many ways workforce development can make a difference for individuals, employers, and communities across Westmoreland and Fayette counties.

If one of these stories inspired you to explore a new opportunity, strengthen your workforce, or learn more about available resources, we encourage you to reach out to the WFWIB or your local PA CareerLink®.

Your next success story could start here: https://www.pacareerlink.pa.gov/jponline/

09/28/2026

📅 Reminder: The WSCA College, Technical School & Career Night is this Wednesday, September 30, at Westmoreland County Community College!

Students, families, and educators from Westmoreland County school districts are invited to the WSCA College, Technical School & Career Night on September 30 at Westmoreland County Community College. Explore college, technical education, career pathways, and resources to support students as they plan their next steps.

09/24/2026

For employers, investing in existing staff can be an important part of building a stronger workforce. From the Heart Companion Services, a local home care provider, used Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) funding to provide specialized training for its caregivers while helping offset training costs. From the Heart shared, “This support turned our training goals into reality, ensuring high-quality professional development was accessible to our employees.” The organization also shared the impact the training had on one of its newer caregivers. After receiving little formal training in previous positions, the caregiver expressed appreciation for the agency’s investment in her development and said the training gave her greater confidence to provide effective, compassionate support to her clients. “The WFWIB has been a truly invaluable partner.

Their team has provided more than just funding; they have acted as a strategic resource that helps us identify training needs, navigate workforce challenges, and connect with other initiatives.”

09/24/2026

09/23/2026

Some of the strongest workforce initiatives grow from partnerships that evolve alongside the needs of employers and communities. For more than two decades, the WFWIB and Pittsburgh Chapter NTMA have done just that.

The partnership began when WFWIB leadership helped launch SWPA BotsIQ to connect students, educators, manufacturers, and workforce development organizations. Since then, the collaboration has expanded to include career exploration, company tours, summer internships and camps, Teacher in the Workplace activities, and other opportunities connecting students and educators with manufacturing careers and local employers.

The WFWIB has also supported employers participating in Pittsburgh Chapter NTMA’s registered apprenticeship program, helping companies develop skilled workers and talent pipelines. Michel Conklin, Executive Director of Pittsburgh Chapter NTMA / BotsIQ, shared, “We consider our partnership with WFWIB a ‘gold standard’ for effective workforce development collaboration.”

The WFWIB values this longstanding relationship and our continued work to respond to employer needs and create pathways into manufacturing careers.

• Learn more about Pittsburgh Chapter NTMA / BotsIQ: https://pghntma.org/
• Learn more about WFWIB apprenticeship opportunities: https://www.westfaywib.org/apprenticeships/

09/23/2026

Office Update for September 23:
Our office will be working remotely today during regular business hours.