Along with drawing Unemployment Insurance benefits in Pennsylvania, jobless workers can also utilise an array of programs and courses administered by the Department of Workforce Development in the state. In the state, Commonwealth Workforce Development System or CWDS as popularly known extends comprehensive career assistance services which includes
- Job Search Services
- Training for Improving Job Skills
- Vocational Rehabilitation Services
These programs are designed to help both unemployed and new workers to seek jobs, nurture their skills and get access to market information with a view to confidently apply for jobs and attend interviews. Let us explore the channels administered by the state in this regard.
Pennsylvania Job Gateway
jobgateway.pa.gov is an online portal that not only helps you to look up for jobs and meet prospective employers in the state, but also hosts a range of career resources and tools laid out to help you in your quest for job search. Simply register and start using the services. Creating a CDWS profile ensures that you can request for staff assisted services, sign up for events and use other tools.
One – Stop Services
This umbrella services gateway is a list of all departments and services available through the Commonwealth Workforce Development System(CWDS) such as Veteran services, Unemployment Compensation, Center for Workforce Information and Analysis etc. One Stop Services provides information about various agencies, their functions, contact information and services locations.
Search and Attend Events
The CWDS conducts various workshops and events in many fields such as vocational courses, skills training etc. You can not only look up for events happening in your area or county, but also find details of the event and register for them.
PA Career Coach
This web portal/tool will help you if you’re looking for a change in career or staring at setting up one as a fresher by means of reference to industry wise data in wages, employment, education and training etc. This site contains localised content to help you gauge the opportunities available in the state of Pennsylvania.
List of Certified Training Programs
This easy-to-use tool hosts details of all certified TAA/WIA training programs under a single roof. It contains various search references which helps in narrowing down easily on the desired training program. It also provides details of the available training programs/courses offered in your area. No registration is required to use this facility.
Labor Market Information
Your one stop shop for all the data and stats that extend in depth analysis on labor market information. It also contains charts, presentations, news and facts sheet that will help you in understanding the latest trends in the market.
All the services above comply with Jobs for Veterans Act by extending friendly and priority services to Veterans.
If you became unemployed recently and looking forward to claiming unemployment insurance benefits in the state of Pennsylvania, use the Benefits Calculator to estimate the monetary benefits. Unemployment compensation is extended for up to 26 weeks upon losing job due to involuntary reasons such as lay offs etc.
The weekly benefits is a derivative of your wages earned in the last 4 calendar quarters.