With unemployment in Westmoreland and Fayette counties hovering around 19% because of the covid-19 impact on the economy, the new leader of the region’s workforce development organization sees “connecting companies and employers with professional, skilled, and interested job-seekers” as one of its biggest challenges to economic growth.

“There can sometimes be a barrier between the companies and the job seekers they are seeking. Our challenge is to breakdown that barrier,” said Janet Ward, the executive director for the nonprofit Westmoreland-Fayette Workforce Investment Board.

Ward, who had been the agency’s youth services manager, succeeds William Thompson, who is retiring after serving 20 years as executive director. Ward started the new job Friday. Her salary is $110,000.

While there are many employment opportunities for those looking for work, “unfortunately, job-seekers do not always have the proper skills for the position, the interest to find these opportunities, or even the knowledge on how to find and prepare for these opportunities,” said Ward.

The Workforce Investment Board had been involved with the Economic Growth Connection of Westmoreland and other economic development organizations and educational institutions in the Workforce Forum to develop a workforce that matches the needs of the region’s employers.

“It will be the number one workforce challenge for years,” said James Smith, chief executive of the Greensburg-based Economic Growth Connection. “We have taken steps to address this issue.”

With the pandemic forcing many companies to keep workers at home for two or more months, the Workforce Investment Board intends to help employers and individuals adapt to the changes that will be part of the “new” workplace environment, that includes working remotely, Ward said.

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