Marko came to PA CareerLink® Lehigh Valley in June 2024 seeking assistance from the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) program to advance in an information technology (IT) career pathway. At that time, he had been employed for three months as a data entry specialist earning $13.50/hour. Having graduated from high school only four years earlier, his additional occupational experience was limited to package handler and assembler positions. Marko really enjoyed working with computers and even built his own for personal use. He realized he needed formal training to increase his knowledge, obtain industry-recognized credentials, and secure employment offering a sustaining wage.

After enrolling in WIOA services, Marko attended employability skills workshops and developed a new resume with the instructors. He completed assessments and increased his math scores through remediation coursework. Marko regularly met with his workforce career counselor and recruiter to discuss training opportunities that aligned with his career goals. Staff assisted him to research training programs. When the one he selected was no longer available, he patiently investigated other options and enrolled in the Customer Service Boot Camp offered at PA CareerLink® Lehigh Valley to enhance his soft skills. 

In October 2024, Marko became PA CareerLink® Lehigh Valley’s first participant to attend the TechWorks virtual training program with JobWorks Inc., a Philadelphia-based information technology training provider. After the first week, Marko assured his workforce career counselor that he was “getting the hang of it”, and within three weeks of starting classes, he received his CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+) certification. Shortly thereafter, he also earned his CompTIA A+ certification. 

At the conclusion of training in January 2025, Marko collaborated with his recruiter to update his resume and apply for jobs in the IT field. He quickly received an offer for a PC repairer/ processor position with a global information technology company that returns end-of-life products to secondary markets. Marko’s career readiness instructor at JobWorks remarked to PA CareerLink® Lehigh Valley staff, “Marko was a model student and obtained his CompTIA IT Fundamentals and A+ certifications, graduated from the program, and has obtained employment in a tech role. It has been a great partnership so far and I look forward to working with you and your team more in the future.”

Marko continues to excel in his new career and currently earns $3.00 per hour more than he received in his previous data entry position. The PA CareerLink^® Lehigh Valley team congratulates him for doing IT!