North Central will be recognized and respected as a premier regional development organization by providing first-class services to our customers

NORTH CENTRAL FOCUS A North Central Employee Newsletter

June 2016

ERIC’S COMMENTS

North Central Staff:

Just a quick word of thanks for your contributions to

North Central’s success this past year. Despite facing

some pretty significant and in some cases, unprecedented

challenges, your individual commitment and cumulative

efforts led to this past fiscal year being one of our most

successful and rewarding. As I look into the new program year, I do so with

pride, confidence and a renewed sense of optimism that the accomplish-

ments we achieved will carry us forward to tomorrow.

Thanks again for an awesome year!

Eric

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June 2016

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“Bringing the World to PA”

Red Fern, Kersey, PA – Friday, September 16, 2016

North Central Export is back on schedule! The “Bringing the World to You” now rebranded as “Bringing the

World to PA” after a year hiatus due to the budget impasse of 2016 is being planned for September this year.

The North Central date is Friday, September 16, 2016. We are once again planning to host representatives

from the Commonwealth’s Overseas Office Network for one-to-one company meetings. Mark your calendar

now! Stay tuned for details.

Available markets include: Australia/New Zealand, United Kingdom, Germany, India, Netherlands, Canada,

Mexico, Taiwan, Central Europe, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, UAE, Saudi Arabia and the Middle East.

PIW 2014 Supriya Kanetkar – India; Mary Veronika – Indonesia; Katarina Yamada – Brazil; Christine Perneski –

North Central Export and Efren Flores – Mexico.

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June 2016

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Business Finance

The North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission closed a loan for

$131,000 from the Intermediary Relending Program with J.I.T. Tool and Die, Inc. located in Brockport,

Elk County during the month of May 2016 for the purchase of a Sodick Sinker Electrical Discharge

Machine (EDM). The business provides compaction tools and die services to powdered metal, carbide,

carbon and plastics industries. As a result of this expansion, 3 new positions will be created and 32

employees retained.

Low-interest loan funds are available for eligible businesses located in Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson,

McKean and Potter Counties for up to 50% of total project costs. For more information, contact Jennifer

Hibbard, Loan Director, at 814-773-3162 X3049; jhibbard@ncentral.com or Kristi Wendel, Loan Portfolio

Coordinator, at 814-773-3162 X3046; kwendel@ncentral.com.

Pictured above from J.I.T. Tool and Die, Inc. with the Sodick Sinker EDM from (l) to (r) are Bob Beimel,

President; Rob Beimel, General Sales Manager; Bonnie Beimel, Secretary/Treasurer.

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June 2016

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News Release

PITTSBURGH DISTRICT OFFICE

Release Date: June 1, 2016 Contact: Janet Heyl 412-395-6560 x103 Janet.Heyl@sba.gov

Release Number: PGH16-15 Follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Blogs

Join SBA’s Second Government Contracting Echat

Small Business Contractors Learn NAICS “Code of the Road”

PITTSBURGH –Join the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Pittsburgh District Office June 14 for its second mid-

morning government contracting Echat.

As part of the series dubbed “Break for 15: Accelerate Your Business,” which provides small business owners with the nuts and

bolts of government contracting, “NAICS: The Code of the Road,” discusses the North American Industry Classification Sys-

tem; industry specific codes used by the federal government to identify a business.

“Even if you missed our first Echat, you still can dial in during your break and learn why you should know your businesses’

NAICS code,” said SBA Pittsburgh Deputy District Director Regina Abel. “We’ll have a group of local experts who will discuss

NAICS codes in just 15 minutes and we’ve even allocated time for questions.”

SBA Public Affairs Specialist Janet Heyl, Echat moderator, said that since 2003, the federal government has been assigning es-

tablishments a code corresponding to the primary business taking place there. “Businesses in the U.S., Canada and Mexico are

identified by a NAICS code,” she explained. “NAICS codes can help you register for local, state and federal opportunities.”

Participants include: Claye Greene, owner of Technology Blue, Inc., Marisa Fentzel, SBA Pittsburgh business opportunity spe-

cialist, Procurement Outreach Specialist Donna Hottel, North Central Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) and

Program Manager Lenora Leasure from the Johnstown Area Regional Industries PTAC.

WHAT: Echat, “Break for 15 and Accelerate Your Business – “NAICS: The Code of the Road.”

WHEN: June 14, from 11--11:15 a.m.

HOW: Register by contacting the SBA Pittsburgh District Office at: wpainfo@sba.gov or at 412-395-6560.

Today’s SBA: Smart, Bold Accessible

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June 2016

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WEDnetPA Training Program Makes PA Companies More Competitive and Productive

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has created the opportunity for employers to be reimbursed for eligible training

costs for new and existing employees through the Workforce and Economic Development Network of Pennsylvania

(WEDnetPA) program. With funding made available by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic

Development (DCED), most manufacturing companies and other technology based companies are able to maximize the number

of trainings offered to employees in a given time period at greatly reduced rates.

In operation since 1999, the WEDnetPA program provides expert support to assist companies, assess their training

needs, develop training plans and apply for funding at no cost to the company. This assistance comes through your WEDnetPA

Partner – North Central.

North Central is currently accepting applications for the 2016-2017 WEDnetPA year which runs from July 2016

through June 2017. If your company is considering any type of training, North Central should be your first call. Eligibility is

required. Examples of reimbursable training include:

In addition to the knowledge and skills received, there are other benefits of engaging employees through training.

Incorporating employee training and professional development also promotes greater job satisfaction. A more satisfied

employee is likely to stay longer and be more productive ultimately reducing the high cost of turnover.

Let us help you improve the job skills and retention of your employees. For more information you can call Donna

Hottel at 814-773-3162 x3059; dhottel@ncentral.com or Kristi Wendel at 814-773-3162 x3046; kwendel@ncentral.com.

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June 2016

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North Central WDB Staff Connecting Business and Industry with Education

The Brookville High School, located in Jefferson County, held their first

Annual Industry Day on May 18, 2016, from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm. Realizing the

importance of career education and that value of connecting business and industry

to their high school students, the Brookville High School Guidance Department

geared the program towards 7th and 8th graders. The goal of this program was to

help cultivate career ideas into plans of action as they progress during the rest of

their high school journey. It is Mr. Volpe’s hope that students will begin to

understand the world of work upon graduation. In collaboration with Amy

Preston Gillung, North Central Workforce Development Board Career Counselor

serving Jefferson County, and Jamie Barger, Executive Director of the Brookville

Chamber of Commerce, nine local businesses were contacted to participate in this

project.

Molly Kelsey, Global Fabrication, is

shown presenting to student at

Brookville.

Brookville Equipment HR Manager,

Erin McKillip, presenting to students

during Industry Day.

The business leaders were asked to present the following material, their

titles and responsibilities, educational backgrounds, types of jobs they

hire for, what they look for in employees, dress codes, attendance

requirements, call off procedures, cell phone and social media use,

interview tips, drug use, professional behavior, and what they look for

in a resume.

Participating businesses included: Brookville Equipment Inc.,

Brookville Miller Welding, Global Fabrication Inc., Jefferson Manor,

Matson Lumber Company, WRC Senior Services, Sheetz, Culligan and

DCNR

Joe Royer assisted students at the Clearfield County Career and Technology

Center (CCCTC) prepare for the NOCTI testing by reviewing competencies

and the criteria for the tests with them. The National Occupational

Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI) is Pennsylvania’s recognized test for

career and technical students and is similar to the state-required PSSA test for

academics.

Pictured is Chase, Electrical

Program at CCCTC

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June 2016

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North Central Workforce Development Board – Customer Centered Design

The United States Department of Labor (USDOL) Implemented the second Customer Centered Design

Challenge as local areas are strongly encouraged to use

innovation and creativity as they implement the Workforce

Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Staff are

excited to have two more teams participating.

Pam Streich is leading the North Central PA:

Collaborating for Second Chances team which is

addressing the challenge of:

How Might We EMPOWER incarcerated individuals to

obtain employment and education post release?

Team members in addition to Pam include:

Teresa Wilcox, Chief Juvenile Probation Officer, McKean

County

Amber Frontino, HES Shelter Manager, YWCA Bradford

Vanessa Castano, Executive Director, YWCA Bradford

Tonya Mauk, Career Development Supervisory, Community Action, Inc.

Blythe Brunner, Workforce Program Director, North Central

L to R clockwise– Teresa, Vanessa, Amber and Pam

The team has completed all five required workshops and will begin prototyping their new program this

summer. Part of the process was to complete a research phase which included members interviewing the

intended audience, speaking with experts who work with this audience, learning from secondary research

resources and immersing themselves in settings that the audience can be found. The team is very excited

about this project and their goal is to ensure that workforce programs are offered in all county jails to

decrease recidivism in the North Central region.

Teresa and Vanessa working on our prototype!

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June 2016

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North Central Workforce Development Board – Customer Centered Design

Susie Snelick is leading the North Central Pennsylvania Mission Possible team: “Your Goal is Our

Mission!” This team has chosen to accept the challenge of “How might we improve the customer

experience and outcomes for our shared One-Stop Customers?”

Additional Team members include:

Kari Heeter, Vocational Rehabilitation Supervisor for Office of Vocational Rehabilitation

Elaine Davis, CareerLink Specialist for Labor & Industry Workforce Partnership & Operations,

CareerLink, Potter County

Pattie Fitzsimmons, Business Service Representative for NC Regional Planning and Development

Commission, CareerLink, McKean County

Missy Holt, CareerLink Specialist for Labor & Industry Workforce Partnership & Operations, CareerLink,

McKean County

Linda Franco, Regional System Coordinator, NC Workforce Development Board

The team has conducted a number of interviews and

gathered research to learn more about what the

customers need to enhance their CareerLink experience

and reach their employment goals. Next, the team

analyzed the information and isolated three trends to

address: Information Delivery, the Common Intake

Form, and the CareerLink Environment. They then moved

on to the exciting process of prototyping and look forward

to actually implementing their ideas.

L to R: Missy Holt, Elaine Davis, Susie Snelick and

Pattie Fitzsimmons

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June 2016

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Pennsylvania State WIC Agency Conducts Program Review

The DuBois WIC Clinic staff welcomed State WIC Agency staff Evelyn Arnold and Crystal Wilson on

June 15 and 16 for our regularly scheduled State Review. It is routine policy and procedure for the State

WIC Agency to audit our local WIC agency on a biennial basis. Generally the reviews are held in our

largest clinic sites (Clearfield and DuBois) and rotate between the two sites every two years. State Agency

staff members were on site to audit our administrative files and review/observe the daily operation of the

clinic site. The administrative part of the review included assessment of our Civil Rights File, Exposure

Control Plan, Drug Free Workplace Policy, Federal Regulations, and auditing of our internal monitoring

files. The clinic operations review included observation of staff-client interaction, assessment of client

eligibility/certification, processing standards, dietary assessments, hematological testing, anthropometry

testing, individualized nutrition education support, food delivery system, breastfeeding promotion, VENA

(Value Enhanced Nutrition Assessment) and guided goal setting.

The DuBois WIC staff did an excellent job during the State Review. They displayed professionalism,

courtesy, empathy, and effectively conveyed a strong understanding of all aspects within the WIC Program.

North Central WIC Program staff members strive to provide our clients/participants the tools needed to

improve the health and wellness of his/her entire family!

Please keep your eyes out for our new, eye-catching, Pennsylvania WIC Program logo (see below).

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June 2016

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ANNIVERSARY DATE - YEARS OF SERVICE

Date of Hire Employee Department Years of Service

06/01/1999 ED MATTS IT 17 Yrs.

6/28/2010 TOM BUCK TRANSPORTATION 6 Yrs.