Posts by bb4b_linda

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Strategic Partnership Pittsburgh-Based Education Non-Profits Collaborate Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-February 8th, 2017 The Education Foundation is proud to announce its partnership and collaboration with Building Bridges for Business (U•Can•B). With financial backing from The Education Foundation through generous sponsors and donors, U•Can•B is able and willing to bring workforce development and college readiness courses and curricula to the classrooms. Providing educational and informational courses to teenagers is the best way to expose the students to possible career options available before he or she spends time, money, and energy pursuing the wrong vocation for him or her. These non-profits have many years of experience in the educational and academic fields. From their inceptions, they have been reaching out to scholars from ages 12-18+ by providing scholarships and teaching programs. Through this collaboration, the two non-profit 501(c)3 organizations are able reach the youth in a variety of ways. You can find out more and how to contribute to their cause by visiting www.educationfdn.org and https://buildingbridgesforbusiness.org/u-can-b-program/ “We are excited to work with U•Can•B and the Building Bridges for Business organization and to expand our efforts and believe in the power of collaboration. Students can expand on their formal classroom learning by taking courses in entrepreneurship, science and technology, green and sustainable science, and a variety of trades,” said Frank Orga, President of The Education Foundation. “We are very pleased to be working with the Education Foundation. They understand that their success is directly connected to the success of the communities, organizations, and families and students in the region,” said Linda Handley, Founder of U•Can•B. Dr. Tina Chekan, Superintendent/CEO of Propel Schools, added, “We are grateful for the wonderful programming U•Can•B provides to our students. These educational experiences that bring technology professionals to our schools add to the ways that Propel redefines school each day. We thank The Education Foundation for providing the funding for this program. Propel believes that community partnerships, combined with excellence in academics, will lead to great outcomes for our students.” Entrepreneurs and businesspeople, along with the non-profit organization Building Bridges for Business, are giving local students the chance to see what life is like after high school and college. The U•Can•B program and curriculum is tailored to meet each school’s needs and includes a variety of life learning courses like entrepreneurship, website design and SEO, graphic design and animation, career preparation and networking, and green and sustainable practices and careers. The program further engages the students with our proprietary “Coffee With…” film series that showcases industry leaders and politicians with a variety of insight in those careers. The program is augmented by in person speakers and experts that share real world experiences and advice in career development and planning. For more information about U•Can•B and the Building Bridges initiative, please visit their website at https://buildingbridgesforbusiness.org or send an email to info@BuildingBridgesforBusiness.org. Building Bridges/U•Can•B is located at 1526 Rhine Street in Pittsburgh, PA 15212. Contact for more details: Frank Orga, President of The Education Foundation P. O. Box 153 Glenshaw, PA 15116 forga@educationfdn.org (412) 952-1953   Linda Handley, Founder & CEO of U•Can•B 1526 Rhine Street Pittsburgh, PA 15212 handleyl@buildingbridgesforbusiness.org (412)...

Workforce Wednesdays                 Link to Register https://attendee.gototraining.com/r/4276632220306433794 This workshop will provide job seekers and career counselors tips for building contact lists, using social media and creating a branded message that will help generate better job leads. Very practical and applicable information. Participants will leave this webinar with actual tools and strategies that can be put to use same day! After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the training. Please register for Rap Sheet Cleanup on Wednesday, February 15, 2017 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM EST at: https://attendee.gototraining.com/r/3226331434454847490 approximately 75% of criminal records contain errors. Almost every employer in the country is running a background check as part of the hiring process. Don’t you want to make certain your info is accurate? A must for any job seeker with a criminal record! This session will teach participants to obtain and interpret a criminal record, file for expungement and make corrections. A critical first step in the job search process for anybody facing this barrier. Includes an Intro to the Pardon process is included! After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the training. Please register for LinkedIn for Job Seekers on Wednesday, February 22, 2017 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM EST at: https://attendee.gototraining.com/r/637013436879601154 approximately 90% of recruiters are reviewing a candidate’s LinkedIn Profile. But, the profile is not the website’s only useful feature. LinkedIn allows job seekers to easily connect with previous co-workers & classmates, LinkedIn features Job Search & Application sections, LinkedIn facilitates group discussions related to career advancement, and there is much much more!. Sign up today to learn how to utilize ALL of LinkedIn’s unique job searching tools! After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the...

  Join us at the Energy Innovation Center for the Annual Ice Gala! On January 28, 2017, we will hold our annual Ice Gala at the Energy Innovation Center. The Ice Gala is the Signature Event of 2017 for the Pittsburgh Chapter of the German American Chamber of Commerce with high visibility and a C-level audience. You can expect music, an alpine-themed “Ice Room” that will include Ice Sculptures, Glühwein, and more, VIP speakers, great food, a silent auction and a knock-out view of the city. The event will be held at the Energy Innovation Center*. Saturday. January 28, 2017 VIP Reception: 5-6 pm Gala: 6-10 pm Proceeds benefit our apprenticeship initiative. What is the apprenticeship Initiative? In a world of high youth unemployment, where the supply of skilled labor often fails to match employer demand, Germany believes help can be found in its Dual Vocational Training System —a time-tested economic model. This program, many supporters believe, is the reason why Germany has the lowest jobless rate among young people of any industrialized nation in the world—around 7 percent or 8 percent. With so many Americans struggling to find employment after graduating high school and college it might be worth asking: Can the German approach be brought to the U.S.? The German concept is simple: After students complete their mandatory years of schooling, usually around age 18, they apply to a private company for a two or three year training contract. If accepted, the government supplements the trainee’s on-the-job learning with more broad-based education in his or her field of choice at a publicly funded vocational school. Usually, trainees spend three to four days at work and one to two in the classroom. At the end, the theory goes, they come out with both practical and technical skills to compete in a global market, along with a good overall perspective on the nature of their profession. They also receive a state certificate for passing company exams, designed and administered by industry groups—a credential that allows transfer to similarly oriented businesses should the training company not retain them beyond the initial...

U can B School Year 2015-16 Building Bridges for Business brought Career Day back to more than a dozen local schools this year via the U can B Career Awareness Program. Our feature school is Pittsburgh Perry High School. U can B also had the opportunity to participate in many wonderful community events. Here are some of our favorite moments! Thanks to all of our schools, employers, community partners, and students for making this year a wonderful school year! Perry High School Perry High School began in October of 2015 with a visit from a representative of Amazon Corporation. Employer visits, career overviews, and job search opportunities became the theme of the U can B Program at Perry High School, which ran from October of 2015 until April of 2016! A Representative of Presidents Obama’s STEM initiative visited the “Ladies of Perry” in October and the students discussed the importance of learning, education, and ways to get into STEM related careers. The students thoroughly enjoyed the day and said, “this is the best speaker I ever heard.” In addition to U can B staff, many Pittsburgh-area businesses and organizations sent representatives to visit with 10th graders at Perry High. These included Bidwell Training Center, Amazon, and Rosedale Technical College. On the evening of March 15, 2016, U can B organized a Career Opportunity Fair at Perry High. This event was open to both students and parents. Students had the opportunity to apply for jobs and/or discuss future career possibilities with employers; parents were invited to seek employment as well. Participating companies and organizations included The City of Pittsburgh, Arts Greenhouse, United States Probation & Pretrial Services of Western PA, Atlas Dreams Languages, LogixGuru, Allegheny Health Network, First National Bank, Bidwell Training Center, PNC Bank, Legal Shield, CCAC, Job Corps, and UPS. U can B hosted a second Career Opportunity Fair on the morning of April 20th. This event was only made available to Perry High School juniors and seniors who were seeking employment. Participating companies and organizations included Rosedale Technical College, Made Right Here, The Priory Hotel, US Army, Allegheny Health Network, IBEX Global, The City of Pittsburgh, Moriarty Consultants, First National Bank, and Career Talk on KDKA. The Perry High School U can B Program will continue in...

We welcomed Audrey Russo of the Pittsburgh Technology Council on the Coffee With set.  Audrey shares her special knowledge and insight. Join us in watching this exceptional and informative Coffee With video. This video is sponsored by PC NETWORK SERVICES in Pittsburgh. PC Network Services Address: 109 Nicholson Road, Sewickley, PA 15143 Phone:(412) 928-8670   Since 2007, Audrey Russo has served the technology business sector for southwestern Pennsylvania as President and CEO of the Pittsburgh Technology Council, the oldest and largest technology trade association in North America. In this role, Russo facilitates strong interaction across all sectors of the regional economy. With a background in information technology, operations and finance, Russo previously worked for large multi-national Fortune 500 companies (Alcoa, Reynolds Metals), as well as at MAYA Design, and an adjunct faculty and project role at Virginia Commonwealth University. Russo is the Board Chair for the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh, as well a board member of the Regional Industrial Development Corporation, Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh and CityLab, among others. She earned her bachelor’s from Ohio State University and master’s in public administration from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Public...