Amanda Dawson

Amanda Dawson, who is now 23 years old, enrolled in the Year-Round Youth Program with YSS, Inc. in November 2017. Amanda had barriers to getting and keeping a job over the years and never really liked the jobs she was choosing. She has kept meeting with Jaime Long, YSS, Inc. Life Skills Specialist, and together they have worked on financial literacy, interview techniques, resume writing, career counseling, etc. After mentioning her desire to work in healthcare, Amanda received continued encouragement from Jaime to take a leap and apply for Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Training offered at Carehaven of St. Mary’s, WV. Amanda was accepted into the CNA Training Program and began her 120 hours of paid training on October 5, 2020. One of the requirements of the paid training is that she is required to remain at this Nursing Home as an employee for at least one (1) year. Amanda successfully completed her training and received her Certificate of Completion on November 6, 2020. Since then, Amanda has gone on to take her state CNA Exam and we are proud to say that she successfully passed and now has obtained CNA License. Best of luck to you, Amanda, as you move onto the next stage in your life. Without a doubt, you will continue to have success as long as you never stop believing in yourself! To find out more about the YSS, Inc. Youth Opportunities Unlimited! (YOU!) Year-Round Youth Program, please contact Cassidy Talamonti at 304-218- 2816 or 304-215-8834.

Brannan Clegg

Mr. Brannan Clegg came into the Wheeling American Job Center in September 2019 looking for help since he was laid off from his job with Ohio County Coal on August 26, 2019. Mr. Clegg and his wife had recently welcomed a baby boy into their family. He was receiving Unemployment and had already applied for WIC, SNAP and a Medical Card but had not yet received approval for these programs. Mr. Clegg has an Associates Degree in Mechanics, but was told by a potential employer that he needed to earn a CDL in order to be hired. Mr. Clegg expressed his interest in earning his CDL in order to be able to earn a higher rate of pay and also provide a better life for his family. He applied and was found to be eligible to receive the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 (WIOA) funding for an Individual Training Account (ITA) Program to pay for his CDL. He started his CDL training at All State Career School in Wheeling on September 23, 2019 and successfully completed his training on October 10, 2019. Mr. Clegg received his CDL on October 27, 2019 and became a full-time employee at Raze International Inc. located in Shadyside, Ohio on October 28, 2019. He now has a steady income to support his family, with benefits, and many more perks. Mr. Clegg has expressed his gratitude with all of the help to get him to this point in his life.

David Barthnek

In October 2019, David Barthnek walked into the Weirton American Job Center to see how they could help him. Mr. Barthnek explained how he was currently a seasonal part-time employee and trying to raise his two (2) sons. At 23 years old, Mr. Barthnek had only held part-time employment since graduating from High School, which included jobs like Fast Food Cook, Cashier at a Department Store, Seasonal Job as a Heavy Equipment Operator, and his most recent job was a Flow Back Operator in the Oil and Gas Industry. Mr. Barthnek expressed his interest to earn his CDL in order to be able provide a better life for his children. He applied and was found to be eligible to receive the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 (WIOA) funding for an Individual Training Account (ITA) Program to pay for his CDL. He started his CDL training at Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics (PIA)- Weirton location in November 2019 and successfully completed the training in December 2019. Mr. Barthnek was offered an On-the-Job Training (OJT) position with TMC Transport in February 2020. One month later, March 2020, he successfully completed his OJT with TMC Transport in Iowa. Mr. Barthnek is now the proud owner of his own tractor trailer truck and an over the road driver. He now has a good income to support his family, with benefits, and many more perks. Mr. Barthnek has expressed his gratitude with all of the help to get him to this point in his life.

Jennifer Chambers

Ms. Jennifer Chambers came to the Wheeling American Job Center in 2019 as a participant in the Lee Day Workshops, which are held bi-weekly for those in Drug/Alcohol Addiction Recovery in the Northern Panhandle. It was in the “Workshop” where Ms. Chambers learned about our WIOA Programs and Services from our One Stop Operator Staff. Ms. Chambers goals were to obtain Employment and get her Driver’s License reinstated through the Second Chance Driver’s Program offered by the State of West Virginia. Ms. Chambers met with Katrina Dumas, Northern Panhandle Workforce Development Board, Inc. Employer Services Coordinator, to see what she had available through the On-the-Job Training Program. At that time, Katrina had an On-the-Job Training Contract (Transitional Training) with Heller’s Flowers in Moundsville, WV, which was close to where Ms. Chambers lived so it would not be an issue for transportation. This was a great opportunity for Ms. Chambers to learn new skills, and also an excellent opportunity to build her resume for future employment. While working at Heller’s Flowers, Ms. Chambers also enrolled in a Recovery Coach Training Program in hopes to help others that are going through a similar situation. Knowing the On-the-Job Training Contract with Heller’s Flowers would soon be coming to an end, Ms. Chambers started applying for jobs. She would eventually be interviewed and hired for a position that has her working with individuals in Recovery who need assistance in obtaining employment.

Rick Smith

Mr. Rick Smith was working at a dead-end job and decided he wanted something better for himself. He visited the Weirton American Job Center and knew he wanted to be an Electrical Technician, but also knew he didn’t have the money to pay for schooling. Mr. Smith was approved for the WIOA ITA Program and earned his Associate’s Degree as an Electrical Technician in 2019. He started applying for jobs and received a job offer as a Maintenance Technician Electrician (MTE) at Arcelor Mittal, located in Weirton, WV. Mr. Smith let his Case Manager know that with this job, he is now receiving benefits that include a 401K and pension, health benefits, etc. Mr. Smith has expressed how grateful he is that the Northern Panhandle Workforce Development Board, Inc. was able to pay for his Training and get him to where he is now, a full-time employee at Arcelor Mittal and also a new homeowner.