Community Resource & Job Fair

Greater Johnstown United Neighborhoods and Vision2025 will host a Community Resource & Job Fair on Wednesday, November 8th from 5 to 7 PM at the Christ Centered Community Church (531 Somerset Street) in downtown Johnstown.

Approximately 140 available job openings will be featured at the fair. Representatives from various agencies will be able to provide information on a variety of topics such as education assistance, job seeker services and more.

For more information, click here. If you have any questions or would like to participate as an exhibitor, please contact Debi Balog by phone at (814) 262-8366 or by email at .

Hosted by:       

Coordinated by:      

Wessel & Company and 1st Summit Bank Make 2017 List of Best Places to Work in PA

Congratulations to Wessel & Company and 1st Summit Bank on making the list of the 100 companies in PA to win a designation as a “Best Place to Work”!

The 2017 list represents 23,000 employees of 44 small, 27 medium and 29 large sized companies. In order to be eligible for this process, companies had to be a for-profit or non-profit business, be publicly or privately held, employ at least 15 people working in Pennsylvania and be in business for at least one year. What a great accomplishment!

Click here to view the full list of winning companies.

Debi Balog Receives Workforce Education Star Award

Recipients of Somerset County Chamber of Commerce’s 2017 awards (front row from left): Michele Beener, Sarah Bittner and Bill Arnold. Second row: Dr. V. Krishnan Nair. Third row: Godfrey Mendes, JoAlyce Kopinski, Jason Kaplitz and Debi Balog. Fourth row: Susan Walker and George Walker.

The Somerset County Chamber of Commerce honored 13 recipients of its 2017 awards for service to the region on Thursday, October 19, at a reception held at the Somerset Country Club.

“In every award, there is a level of commitment, dedication, volunteerism and so many other things. More than simply words written on a piece of paper, it’s a commitment to our community and region,” said Ron Aldom, executive director of the chamber.

Debi Balog, JARI Director of Workforce Development, was honored with the Workforce Education Star. This first-time award is presented to an educator or business representative who has made a significant impact on connecting students to career opportunities while also making an impact on providing skilled workers to local businesses. The recipient is selected by the chamber’s Success in Somerset County Committee.

Others honored include: Michele Beener, Sarah Bittner, Bill Arnold, Dr. V. Krishnan Nair, Godfrey Mendes, JoAlyce Kopinski, Jason Kaplitz, Susan Walker and George Walker.

The award winners will be celebrated at the 77th annual Somerset County Chamber of Commerce Dinner on November 9 at Seven Springs Mountain Resort.

To read the full article, click here.

Students Have Opportunity to Engage With  Area Professionals

Panel facilitator (left): Tobie Gunby; Panelist left to right: Chad Miller, Johnstown Police Department; Kayla Cobaugh, the Learning Lamp; Mike Hinson, API Technologies; Tim Mallon, Pepsi Co.; SSG Aaron Eddington, US Army

On Thursday, October 19, JARI and the Human Resources Association of the Alleghenies (HRAA) hosted the 6th Annual Youth Professional Development Conference (YPDC) at the Pasquerilla Conference Center in downtown Johnstown.

The conference hosted nearly 180 students in grades 10-12 from 13 school districts.  Students heard from area business leaders including keynote speaker Robert Heinrich, Academic Academy Principal at Greater Johnstown High School.

YPDC gives students the opportunity to engage with a variety of business and industry leaders and human resources professionals. Students also attended sessions on resume building and interviewing, social media/cyber security, teens in the workplace, and various career options with regional employers.

Additional community leaders who gave their time as session speakers and panelists include: Mike Stohan, In-Shore Technologies; Tim Mallon, PepsiCo; Mike Hinson, API Technologies; SSG Aaron Eddington, US Army; Renee Shaw, PA CareerLink Cambria County; Tonia Gordon, Mount Aloysius College; Brittany Snedden, Student, Mount Aloysius College; Chad Miller, Johnstown Police Department, and Kayla Cobaugh, the Learning Lamp.

For more information on the Youth Conference click here or contact Debi Balog at (814) 262-8366 or via e-mail .

Mike Stohan, In-Shore Technologies, presents information on social media and cyber security.

Safety Conference Provides Key Health and Safety Information for Area Companies

Nearly 170 individuals completed eight hours of health and safety training and earned 0.8 continuing education credits toward their safety committee and professional certifications.

Eighteen health and safety experts donated their time to offer high-quality workshops on a variety of topics. The information presented will help participants create a safer and healthier work environment.

Many thanks go to the sponsors, speakers and exhibitors for their assistance in making this event a huge success. This year’s Gold Sponsors included: BAE Systems, Damin Printing, DiVal Safety, and PHOENIX Rehabilitation and Health Services. For a full list of sponsors, click here.

Also, a special thank you to the conference committee: Lauren Brewer, JARI; Daren Cuppett, Ron Donaldson and Kathy Garris, Lockheed Martin AeroParts; George Erisman, Galliker Dairy; Chad Gyorke, DRS Technologies; Tessa Minnick, Pepsi Bottling Group; Paul Seitz, PHOENIX Rehabilitation and Health Services; Dave Johnson and Jerry Burkhart, North American Höganäs.

The 16th Annual Alleghenies Regional Safety Conference is scheduled for Tuesday, October 2, 2018.

For more information on the Safety Conference and/or the Safety Industry Partnership, please contact Debi Balog at (814) 262-8366 or via e-mail .

Healthcare Specialists Available for Work

Congratulations to six individuals who participated in a 270-hour HealthCare Specialist Course at Penn Highlands Community College.  Four individuals received certificates of completion and two moved on to full-time employment.

Graduates of the program are qualified for employment in entry level healthcare billing departments. The course included topics on legal compliance, medical billing and coding, anatomy and physiology and the revenue cycle.

This opportunity would not be possible without the funding provided by the Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Local Workforce Initiative.

Use Your Tax Dollars to Invest in Your Community

JARI is proposing to utilize tax credits to provide training programs in Welding and Industrial Maintenance for individuals residing in neighborhoods located in the City of Johnstown. Companies with state tax liability can make a donation to the JARI Workforce Program and receive 55% in tax credits through the state Neighborhood Assistance (NAP) Program. Upon completion of the programs, participants will acquire the skills needed to obtain employment in the energy, manufacturing, distribution and construction industries.

Over the past 3 years, JARI has used tax credit donations to fund short term training programs that placed 24 unemployed workers into full time employment offering family sustaining wages with benefit packages.  Please help keep the momentum going by considering a donation to the program in exchange for tax credits. Click here for program details. Any business willing to contribute would need to provide JARI with a commitment letter by September 5, 2017.

If you are interested in helping JARI provide educational opportunities for people in our community, please contact Joette Watson, CFO at 814.262.8372 or via email .

Safety Conference Keynote Announcement

JARI and members of the JARI Safety Industry Partnership are pleased to announce that the keynote presentation for the 15th Annual Alleghenies Regional Safety Conference will be on the Medical Marijuana Act and the Effect on Employers. Panelists include: Attorney Robert Brierton; Judge Norman Krumenacker III, P.J.; Johnstown Chief of Police, Robert Johnson; and Dr. Patrick Gray, M.D., FACP. Attendees will hear a brief overview about the Medical Marijuana Act, as well as the impact it has on criminal law, criminal activity, driving skills, future drug use and the use and limitations for treatment.

The conference will be held on Tuesday, October 3 from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm at the Frank J. Pasquerilla Conference Center located in downtown Johnstown.

For the list of workshop topics, conference information and registration, please click the links below or contact Debi Balog at 814.262.8366 or via e-mail at .

2017 Youth Conference

The Human Resources Association of the Alleghenies (HRAA) and JARI are pleased to host the 6th Annual Success is Intentional Youth Professional Development Conference (YPDC) on Thursday, October 19, 2017 at the Frank J. Pasquerilla Conference Center in Johnstown.

Students in grades 10-12 from multiple local school districts will be in attendance. This event highlights career preparation for both college-bound and trade-focused students by providing educational workshops to prepare students for their future.

How to Get Involved and Support Our Future Workforce

  • Become a Program Sponsor and feature your company at this event
  • Donate company branded items or gift cards for prize giveaways

There are limited seats available for school districts. If your school has not registered and would like to attend, click here.

For more information and the sponsorship form click the links or contact Debi Balog at (814) 262-8366 or via e-mail at .

Calling All Vendors, Sponsors and Participants!

We are back again this year for the 15th Annual Alleghenies Regional Safety Conference. This year’s event is scheduled for October 3, 2017 and will once again be held at the Frank J. Pasquerilla Conference Center in downtown Johnstown. Our keynote speaker will be Wylie Davidson from Dival Safety with a presentation, “Safe 4 the Right Reasons”.

Vendors, sponsors and participants help to keep the conference strong year after year. It has proven to be a good opportunity for companies to display products, make new contacts with local businesses and visit with existing clientele. Vendors are able to connect with new and existing customers while participants can gain useful information on the latest resources to keep the workplace safe and secure.

Below you will find more information as well as the vendor/exhibitor registration form, the sponsorship form and the participant form.

If you have any questions or would like more information on the Safety Conference, contact Debi Balog at  or at 814-262-8366.