Philadelphia Works’ Apprenticeship Team is heading to State College for the Pennsylvania Workforce Development Association’s Workforce Development Symposium. We couldn’t be more excited for this opportunity to network, engage, and facilitate a conversation on apprenticeships! We’ve convened several partners who are doing the work from across the state to share what’s working, lessons they have learned, and aspirations they dream of for the future of apprenticeship in local workforce development. Our panelists will discuss how to build the apprenticeship infrastructure in local areas within three specific strategies: integrating apprenticeship navigators/ambassadors into local service delivery, aligning local policies, and creating a recruitment pipeline.
For more information, check out our resource document below:
Meet the Panel
Adina Tayar
Moderator
Adina Tayar is a Regional Apprenticeship Coordinator for Bucks and Montgomery County. She is dedicated to convening employers, training providers, and intermediaries in those counties to explore how they can best utilize the Registered Apprenticeship and Pre-Apprenticeship model. Additionally, she provides technical assistance to programs in development and facilitates connections to apprenticeship experts and stakeholders regionally. Through her connections to the PA CareerLink® offices in Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties, she coordinates access to local funding for apprenticeship and assists with apprentice recruitment.
Collen Chamberlain
Panelist
Colleen Chamberlain has been the Site Administrator of the PA CareerLink® Lawrence County since October 2019 but has been involved with Workforce Development for over 20 years, having sat on the Workforce Development Boards in Lawrence and Mercer Counties in Pennsylvania and Mahoning County in Ohio. With over 25 years of experience in Human Resources and Safety, she continues to be an advocate for employee training and upskilling. She recently earned Journeyworker status as a Registered Apprenticeship Navigator through KDP, and works closely with employers, job seekers, and local unions to promote registered apprenticeships in the Commonwealth.
Val Hatfield
Panelist
Val Hatfield has been with the Lancaster County Workforce Development Board for 6 years where she has held roles of CareerLink Site Administrator, Youth and Community Engagement Officer, Strategic Innovation Officer, and currently as Contract Administrator and Outreach Manager. Val is a journeyperson RA Navigator and is enjoying the challenge of demystifying apprenticeship to the business and education community. Her prior work experience in manufacturing with a concentration in continuous improvement has proven valuable in developing strong workforce intermediary relationships.
Rachel Mauer
Panelist
Rachel Mauer is the Co-founder and President of the Pittsburgh Chapter of the German American Chamber of Commerce (AHK Pittsburgh Chapter) with the mission to foster commerce with Germany and to grow the regional economy. Rachel and her team also launched the German Dual Apprenticeship and Pre-apprenticeship programs in Western Pennsylvanian region. The registered apprenticeship programs are industry-led with over twenty-five companies and programs, including Mechatronics, Polymer Technician (plastics), Sales Engineering (technical sales), and CAD/CAM Technical Designer.
Pam Streich
Panelist
Pam Streich is the Executive Director of Workforce Solutions for North Central PA (North Central Workforce Development Board) serving the counties of Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, McKean and Potter with 24 years’ experience in Workforce Development beginning as a youth counselor under JTPA legislation prior to holding several positions as staff to the North Central Workforce Development Board.