The Private Industry Council of Westmoreland/Fayette Inc. (PIC) always looks for exciting opportunities for the youth in the Westmoreland and Fayette Counties to explore the many jobs that are right in their own backyards. The goal of this program is to provide participants with their first job experience and hopefully a chance of hire after completing the program. Through the Experience Works Program, youth ages 18 through 24 that live in Fayette or Westmoreland County, have the chance to work with a variety of work sites who have partnered with PIC. In this program, the participant would be placed at sites that match their interests. The Experience Works Program pays the participant $10 an hour and they work up to 30 hours a week for a total of 240 hours.
The Experience Works Program has been provided by PIC since 1983. Through the Workforce Investment Board (WIB) providing funding for the program, the youth participants have been able to gain useful job skills. Participants get to work in many fields throughout their communities. PIC has been able to find work site locations in the community that can employ youth, during the pandemic. All site follow the PA Department of Health’s guidelines and Personal Protective Equipment (Masks, gloves, etc.) are made available to youth.
PIC’s Director of Workforce and Economic Development, Alec Italiano, states, “Families in the community are struggling financially. This program offers a way for young adults, living at home, to help supplement the household budget.” There are still slots available for interested individuals ages 18- 24. Eligibility requirements do apply, but all interested youth are encouraged to call and apply. Work sites consist of non-profit organizations, private businesses, municipalities, school districts, townships, state government offices, county government offices, and many other forms of business. The youth get the opportunity to work in job fields that interest them and give them the chance to learn from professionals in their field of interest.
“The Experience Works Program is an amazing opportunity for the youth of Westmoreland and Fayette counties who may have never been given the chance to have a job before.” said Shelly Gilmore, the Youth Program Manager for PIC. “The many businesses are in a desperate need right now making this a perfect time to become involved in this program.” By going through the Experience Works Program, participants that might not have any work experience or a basic knowledge of employable skills are given the chance to learn and put that information into practice. The Experience Works Program is a unique and exciting resource for the youth of Westmoreland and Fayette counties to utilize for the betterment of their work experience.
If you or someone you know might be interested in participating or has questions about the Experience Works Program, please give us a call at 724-836-2600. You can also apply at www.privateindustrycouncil.com/youthwork-experience.
PIC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building tomorrow’s workforce in southwestern Pennsylvania. Founded in 1983, it administers over two dozen programs in three divisions: Early Childhood Development, Education, and Workforce Development. PIC is the operator and Title I service provider of the Alle-Kiski, Fayette, and Westmoreland PA CareerLinks®; operates a private licensed school, Education and Technology Institute; and is the grantee of the Head Start/Early Head Start of Fayette County and Head Start/Early Head Start of Beaver County. To learn more, please visit the website, www.privateindustrycouncil.com.