Private Industry Council of Westmoreland/Fayette, INC -

PIC Hosts Luncheon

Pennsylvania Deputy Secretary for Workforce Development, Sandi Vito, was the featured guest speaker at a luncheon meeting hosted by the Private Industry Council of Westmoreland/Fayette, Inc. (PIC), held on Wednesday, April 27, 2005, at Mt. View Inn in Greensburg. Ms. Vito addressed Governor Rendell's proposed $101 million investment in Education and Workforce Programs, including topics on high school reform, dual enrollment, partnering with employers to close workforce gaps, expanding training for adult workers, creating industry partnerships, and helping workers train for better jobs. Approximately 70 invited guests attended.

Others in attendance included Westmoreland County Commissioner Tom Balya, Fred Dedrick (Pennsylvania Workforce Investment Board), John Skiavo (Economic Growth Connection of Westmoreland), Bill Thompson and Phil Woods (Westmoreland/Fayette Workforce Investment Board), Bill and Adam Gardner (Smart Parts), Jamie Hicks (Respironics), Tim Yurcisin and Terri Campbell (PIC), as well as community business members, educators, workforce development professionals and students who participated in the Manufacturing Career Exploration Program (MCEP), which is run through a partnership between Economic Growth Connection and the Private Industry Council. Mike Andromalos, a senior at Franklin Regional High School who participated in the MCEP, gave a brief speech about his experience in the program.

After the luncheon, those in attendance were invited to tour Smart Parts, a Latrobe area manufacturer and a leader in paintball technology, innovation, and design. Prior to the tour, Ms. Vito announced that the Manufacturing Industry Partnership of Southwestern Pennsylvania received a $400,000 grant from the state Wednesday. This money will be used to advance skills training for workers and to launch a pilot project offering supervisory and management skills training opportunities. For more information about the $400,000 grant, read the Official Press Release on the PA State Workforce Website.

Earlier in the day, students involved in the MCEP, as well as other area students, were given the opportunity to tour Smart Parts facility in Loyalhanna. Below are a few pictures of the student tour.

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