Nearly 5,000 Pennsylvanians have been connected with hundreds of employers across the state through the PA CareerLink Awareness Days initiative, the Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) announced.

The awareness initiative ran in August and September and featured 64 events, including job fairs, resource fairs, and ribbon cuttings across the six regions of Pennsylvania.  The initiative brought together 633 employers and 399 organizations, creating an extensive network of opportunity for Pennsylvanians.

Among the Southeast Region highlights, the Lehigh Valley welcomed 24 employers and served 270 customers.

“PA CareerLink Awareness Days transformed the lives of thousands of Pennsylvanians – from Philadelphia to Erie, Hazelton to Indiana, we’ve seen success in connecting skilled workers with their next career,” L&I  Secretary Nancy A. Walker said in a statement. “Dozens of people were hired on the spot, hundreds more secured interviews and thousands gained access to local employers with jobs that offer family-sustaining wages and benefits. These results showcase the effectiveness of in-person workforce services across Pennsylvania – making PA CareerLink a critical resource for both job seekers and employers throughout the commonwealth.”

According to a release, the PA CareerLink network prepares Pennsylvanians to meet the needs of businesses and matches employers with qualified, skilled candidates. Individuals can register for career and training services, search for job postings and upload their resumes to make themselves visible and available to thousands of employers.

Free career-building and other services include the following:

• Resume building/posting/submitting workshops
• Mock interviews
• Job search and training assistance
• Adult education classes and workshops
• Career fairs
• Referral services to partners

Gov. Josh Shapiro signed in July the bipartisan 2024-25 budget increasing Pennsylvania’s Career and Technical Education funding by $30 million and expanding registered apprenticeship programs by $2 million to help fill nursing positions across the state.