Many Lehigh Valley employers have found that individuals with disabilities are some of their most reliable and skilled workers. PA CareerLink^® Lehigh Valley can help with services that include:

• Job skills assessments
• Job matching
• Job coaching
• On-the-Job Training
• Evaluation and adaptation of work areas
• Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) consulting
• Diversity training
• Long-term support

• Services and resources in job training
• Retention support
• Access to communication devices and services, including speech recognition software, assisted listening devices, screen enhancement, and TTY.
• Signing services are available upon request

Disability Employment Policy – Information on employer rights/responsibilities and programs for hiring individuals with disabilities. 

Diversifying Your Workforce– A Reference Guide to Recruiting, Hiring & Retaining Employees with Disabilities

Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is a free consulting service of the Office of Disability Employment Policy, US DOL, designed to increase the employability of people with disabilities 

Employer Assistance & Recruiting Network (EARN) is a free service that connects employers looking for quality employees with skilled job candidates. Discover what employers across the nation have learned: hiring people with disabilities is a great business strategy!

This website is your one-stop source for disability employment information including:  

• recruiting services
• tools and resources
• employer success stories
• business case for hiring people with disabilities 

Resources:

• Work Opportunity Tax Credit
• Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services for Businesses and Organizations
• Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living
• Lehigh Valley Advocacy Agency on Mental Retardation (ARC)
• PA Department of Labor & Industry Disability Services and Resources
• PA Rehabilitation Council
• U.S. Department of Justice – Americans with Disabilities Act
• U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

Limited English-speaking employees have special needs. They may need to improve their English language skills or find local resources in their native language. PA CareerLink^® Lehigh Valley can assist you in helping your workers with limited English skills, as well as link you to local resources. Contact us at 610-437-5627.

ESL Classes are available at the following locations across the Lehigh Valley:

Adult Literacy Center of Lehigh Valley
610-435-0680

Lehigh Carbon Community College
610-799-1955

Northampton Community College
610-332-8652

ProJeCt of Easton
610-258-1100 Ext 13 

Resources:

• Self-Study Quizzes for ESL Students
• Study Site for ESL Students
• Test of English as a Foreign Language Resources
• The International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
• English at Home – Learn English for free
• Grammar Education Resource Guide
• English as a Second Language Home Page
• Exchange ESL Magazine – with writing by and for ESL students.

Seniors are a great labor pool for employers!

PA CareerLink^® Lehigh Valley operates the Senior Community Service Employment Program, which provides part-time, subsidized, on-the-job training to eligible older adults.  They would work at not-for-profit organizations. Individuals enrolled in the program work up to 25 hours per week in a variety of jobs. Lehigh and Northampton County residents who are 55 or older and meet income guidelines established by the federal government are eligible for the program.

To find out more, contact us at 610-437-5627.

Resources:

• Department of Labor’s Information site
• AARP – Work
• Social Security Online
• Experience Works (Senior Workforce Solutions)

PA CareerLink^® Lehigh Valley offers a range of services to help Veterans and employers connect such as:

• Matching Veterans’ skills and training with job opportunities
• Providing access to regional military discharge centers
• Information and referral to funding for training
• Providing a connection to other Veteran services

Federal Contractor Job Listing (FCJL Program)

The Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, as amended (VEVRAA) prohibits discrimination against specified categories of veterans protected by the Act and requires affirmative action in the employment of such veterans. Effective December 1, 2003, the Jobs for Veterans Act (JVA) amended VEVRAA’s federal contracting provisions regarding coverage, protected groups and mandatory job listing requirements for all federal contracts entered into on or after December 1, 2003. Contracts entered into before this date are subject to the VEVRAA requirements as they stood before enactment of JVA.

Veteran’s representatives are available at our office to meet with you and help you identify this workforce resource. Contact us at 610-437-5627 to find out more.

Additional Contact Information:

Lehigh County Director of Veterans Affairs
610-782-3295

Northampton County Director of Veterans Affairs
610-559-3199, extension 2737

Governor’s Veterans Outreach and Assistance Centers
610-326-5233 or 800-247-2323

Veterans Affairs Medical Center
3110 Hamilton Boulevard,
Allentown, PA 18103
610-776-4304

Resources:

• Department of Veterans Affairs
• MilitaryHire.com
• PA Department of Military and Veteran’s Affairs
• Work Opportunity Tax Credit
• Tax Credits For Accessibility Barrier Removal 
• Federal Contractor Program Fact Sheet
  
• The New Regulations:  Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA)
  
• Federal Contractor Compliance Advisor – elaws

This population is another untapped pool of job seekers ready to re-enter the workforce. You may contact us by email at BEST@careerlinklv.org, or call us at (610) 437-5627, Extension 136 for information on Welfare-to-Work programs and tax credits for hiring this available workforce.

Youth Program

Youth of the Lehigh Valley are our future workforce and are an excellent source for full- and part-time employment and internships. Many employees enjoy the opportunity to mentor youth and assist in their career development, which is a great retention aid. If your organization is interested in exploring opportunities to work with youth, PA CareerLink^® Lehigh Valley can help. We can even help you with funding.

Employers, organizations, agencies if you are interested in providing Summer Work positions for youth ages 16-24 at no cost to you, submit a summer worksite request.

Employers, organizations, agencies if you are interested in providing work experience for youth ages 16-24 at no cost to you, submit a worksite request.

Contact us by email at BEST@careerlinklv.org, or call us at (610) 437-5627, Extension 136 for more information.

Information on Child Labor Laws.

Information on Working Papers.

Job Corps

Job Corps is the United States’ premiere youth training program. Job Corps students participate in up to 2 years of employability, career development, and skills-training activities that provide them with the technical and transferable skills they need to succeed in a variety of area jobs.

Call 1-800-354-9758 to find out more about how you can hire a Job Corps graduate or go to the Job Corps website.

Resources:

• Career Gates Videos