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!
Mark your calendars to find out more about our PA CareerLink® Services! Visit the job huts during PA CareerLink® Awareness Days from August 25 to September 15 to see how we help you with resumes, career coaching, learning about local hiring opportunities, and available career training options. Find our job huts in Easton on August 25, Bethlehem on September 8, and Allentown on September 15.
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Auxiliary Aids and Services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities/Equal Opportunity Employer/Program. Programs at PA CareerLink® Lehigh Valley are funded in whole or in part by federal funds. Detailed information can be found at www.lvwib.org/stevens-amendment. Equal Opportunity Officer: EqualOpportunity@careerlinklv.org or 610-841-8332 TTY Line 610-437-0741. More information on adaptive equipment and Equal Opportunity resources can be found at www.lvwib.org/equal-opportunity-and-adaptive-equipment. ... See MoreSee Less
Looking to boost your team's skills? SkillUP™ Lehigh Valley offers free training and employee assessment screenings! With over 6,000 courses and 130 certifications, we help companies like yours create custom course clusters to develop your workforce. Learn more: lvwib.org/training-service-providers/skillup/
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Auxiliary Aids and Services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities/Equal Opportunity Employer/Program. Programs at PA CareerLink® Lehigh Valley are funded in whole or in part by federal funds. Detailed information can be found at www.lvwib.org/stevens-amendment. Equal Opportunity Officer: EqualOpportunity@careerlinklv.org or 610-841-8332 TTY Line 610-437-0741. More information on adaptive equipment and Equal Opportunity resources can be found at www.lvwib.org/equal-opportunity-and-adaptive-equipment. ... See MoreSee Less
🚀 Youth Spotlight: J’Livette’s Journey of Workforce Success! 🌟
Meet J’Livette, a recent high school graduate with big dreams of becoming a psychologist. Through the WIOA In-School Youth program, offered by the Lehigh Valley Workforce Development Board in partnership with PA CareerLink®, she gained real-world experience, career-readiness skills, and the confidence to succeed.
After completing employability training and a paid work experience at the Allentown Public Library, J’Livette landed a retail job and is preparing to start her next chapter at Moravian University this fall! 🎓💼
Her journey is just one example of how workforce programs empower local youth to grow, lead, and achieve. 💪 ... See MoreSee Less