WASHINGTON – Congressman Paul Kanjorski (D-11) joined U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, announced $2.3 million in “Pathways Out of Poverty” grants from the Recovery Act for job training and development in Northeastern Pennsylvania.  The federal funding will go to PathStone Corporation, a non-profit organization, which will work with CareerLink, Johnson College in Scranton, and the NEPA Labor Management Council to train and find work for about 210 Northeastern Pennsylvanians in the emerging natural gas sector in the Scranton area.  Congress passed the Recovery Act, with Congressman Kanjorski’s strong support, on February 13, 2009. 

“This funding provides needed resources to help unemployed and underemployed Northeastern Pennsylvanians receive the training they need to access job opportunities in the natural gas sector,” said Congressman Kanjorski.  “Every day we are seeing the continuing growth of natural gas drilling in the area, while at the same time, too many people are struggling to find work during these difficult economic times.  Rather than importing labor from outside of the area to fill many of these jobs, this funding from the Recovery Act makes it possible to employ local residents in need of jobs and train them so that they are prepared for positions in the energy field.  It enables us to take full advantage of the benefits that natural gas drilling has to offer, including job opportunities for Northeastern Pennsylvanians and the development of a new frontier in alternative energy.”

The “Pathways Out of Poverty” grants support programs that help disadvantaged populations find ways out of poverty and into economic self-sufficiency through employment in energy efficiency and renewable energy industries. 

Specifically, the funding for Northeastern Pennsylvania will help PathStone Corporation, CareerLink, and Johnson College help select, train, and find jobs for residents in the natural gas sector in the area.  PathStone Corporation has already connected with several natural gas employers in Northeastern Pennsylvania to find openings that will be available after training takes place, and it is still working to connect with others to find more opportunities.  The positions will include multiple levels of welders as well as diesel mechanics.

People interested in applying for the program should contact CareerLink’s Lackawanna County office at (570) 963-4671.