NEPA Manufacturers & Employers Council

Your Employability Skills

The YES (Your Employability Skills) Northeast Certificate Program, which is administered by the Northeast PA Manufacturers & Employers Council, is a 1-credit, 120-hour, yearlong elective course targeted at high school seniors. The program is designed to bridge the worlds of education and work by developing and enhancing students’ basic job skills that managers in all businesses and industries require. The course curriculum consists of 36 modules that are meant to give students the “real life” knowledge they can apply both on and off the job. The Quality and Technology topics contain assessment components. In addition, the Y.E.S. Northeast curriculum closely aligns with the new Chapter 4 Academic Standards for Career Education and Work. Students participate in four (4) plant/business tours throughout the year and business professionals present in the classroom to further discuss the modules and how they are applied in the work environment. Mock interviews are also conducted with Y.E.S. students. In order to receive the program certificate at the end of the year, students must meet the following criteria:

• Reading and math scores are at a 9th grade level (determined by the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) )
• Score of 21 out of 50 on the Wonderlic Cognitive Ability Test
• Successfully pass a 6-panel drug screening
• Demonstrate 95% or better attendance rate
• Obtain High School diploma or GED
• Completion of 120 hours of coursework

The program originally began in York County in 1996 as an adult-focused program, which was later adjusted for high school students, with the high school phase of YES beginning in 2001. The Council began administering the YES program in the northeast PA region in 2006. In 2010, the Council completely revamped and copyrighted the YES Northeast curriculum. The curriculum is used for both the in-school and out-of-school youth programming.

Preferred Interviewing

Approximately five hundred thirty (500) businesses in Schuylkill, Luzerne, Erie and York counties endorse the Y.E.S. program and have agreed to offer “preferred interviews” to program graduates.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to Y.E.S. graduates:

• Penn State University offers Y.E.S. graduates a one-time scholarship. Students who take more than 12 credits are eligible for $1,000 and students who take six to 11 credits are eligible for $500. Scholarships are available at the Schuylkill and Hazleton campuses.
• Graduates of the program that enroll at Penn College are eligible to receive a $2,000, renewable scholarship. Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree are eligible for up to $8,000 and associate’s degree up to $4,000. This will be for first-time, full-time students.
• Graduates of the program that enroll at Johnson College are eligible to receive a $1,000 scholarship. In addition to the scholarship, students will also be awarded four credits based on prior learning assessment.

YES Northeast Workshop Series

The Council also provides a customized version of the YES Northeast curriculum for out-of-school youth enrolled in GED classes. These workshops are currently offered to students enrolled at various local PA CareerLinks. The topics are easily customized to serve a variety of groups, including adults and high-risk populations.

Statistics

For the 2020-21 school-year, class enrollment totaled 836 students in the program, and 196 students receiving the YES Participation Certificate.  Cumulative enrollment to date totals 9,385 students, with 3,114 graduates from 2007-2021.

Program Participants

20 schools are currently participating in YES Northeast in Pennsylvania. They include:

Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program (EITC)

Want to keep your tax dollars local and support your future workforce? Donate to the YES Northeast Certificate Program today through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program.

The Council, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, is deemed an Educational Improvement Organization in providing innovative educational programs to, or in conjunction with, public schools. PA businesses can apply for EITC credits through the Department of Community & Economic Development's electronic single application system. Donating allows for businesses to support hundreds of local students in your community and all this will require is completion of the one-page application.

4 Simple Steps!

• Apply Online
• Receive Award Notification from DCED
• Donate
• Provide Letter of Receipt from Organization to DCED

Eligibility

Businesses authorized to do business in Pennsylvania who are subject to one or more of the following taxes:

• Corporate Net Income Tax
• Capital Stock Franchise Tax
• Bank and Trust Company Shares Tax
• Title Insurance Companies Shares Tax
• Insurance Premiums Tax
• Mutual Thrift Institution Tax
• Insurance Company Law of 1921
• Personal Income Tax of S corporation shareholders or Partnership partners

Funding

Two year agreement - 90% tax credit up to $750,000
One year agreement - 75% tax credit up to $750,000

Tax credit applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis by day submitted. All applications received on a specific day will be processed on a random basis before moving on to the next day's applications. Applications will be approved until the amount of available tax credits is exhausted.

Approval

DCED will notify you directly of approval. An approved company must provide proof to DCED within 90 days of the notification letter that the contribution was made to an organization within 60 days of the notification letter. DCED will then notify the Department of Revenue to apply the EITC against the appropriate taxes identified by the business. Tax credits not used in the tax year the contribution was made may not be carried forward or carried back and are not refundable or transferable.

Example

Your business pays $10,000 annually in taxes. If you apply for EITC tax credits and apply for a 2 year agreement, you will receive a 90% credit for each year. $9,000 of your tax dollars is able to be directed locally, at your discretion, in 2015 and again in 2016.

Questions?

Contact the Council office at 570-622-0940 or email Courtney Fasnacht for assistance in the application process. We can even fill out the application for you, if needed. Visit the DCED website to apply now! Support your future workforce and retain the talent in your community.

Schuylkill County Career Fair

Every year, we hold the Schuylkill County Career fair at Martz Hall in Pottsville. This annual event takes place each spring. While there, students have the opportunity to speak one-on-one with local employers, post-secondary educational institutions, and the military about the careers and educational opportunities available in Northeast Pennsylvania.

Elementary Career Awareness

MAEC has also partnered with elementary schools in Schuylkill County to help coordinate individual Career Awareness Events for students in grades K-6. Vendors participate on site and are from a variety of industry clusters, including manufacturing, agriculture, health careers, military, government, legal professions and others.

NEPA Career Advantage

Internship Placements

The Council works in conjunction with area high schools and post-secondary education institutions to connect students and local companies for internship opportunities. MAEC also works with companies who do not currently offer internships but are interested in developing a program.

Career Integration

Business professionals speak to high school students about career opportunities in the area as well as the duties and responsibilities of many positions within their organization. The Council also coordinates and participates in mock interviews at local high schools and post-secondary institutions. This simulated interview experience gives students the knowledge to succeed in a real job interview.

Youth Employment Register

Students who have any type of certification can include their resume in the Northeast PA Manufacturers and Employers Association’s resume register. Member companies with job openings are able to contact the student directly to arrange an interview.

Administrator in the Workplace

This program provides opportunities for school district administrators, guidance counselors and teachers to tour area businesses and industries so that they can become more familiar with local companies, careers available within those companies and the skills needed for those careers. The purpose of the program is to make a direct connection between business and education, begin a dialogue on the needs of employers and how educators can help students develop the skills to best meet those needs.