Pennsylvania’s Secretary of Labour and Industry, Sandi Vito, visited the young people working at Erie’s Saint Vincent Health Centre in August of 2010. Sandi Vito has repeatedly made headlines and won several awards for her outstanding efforts at making Pennsylvania a more efficient economy. Her moves have helped workers find better jobs and she has helped the unemployed find the right employment opportunities during the recession as well.
She is known to strongly encourage the efforts of the young to gain meaningful employment and skills for themselves. Her visit to Saint Vincent proved that her efforts were proving to be fruitful for the people of her state.
Saint Vincent Health Centre has introduced a new Ways to Work programme. This programme is funded by the Workforce Investment Act and is operated by the Erie School District. This programme gives students the opportunity to develop their skill sets and gain vocational training for their future careers. The development of the right occupational skills is crucial to any career and this programme gives students the opportunity to learn such abilities. After spending the day with five students who were a part of the programme Sandi Vito said, “Programmes like this are a great way to get people in the work force and give them the training they need to get started.” Katelin Gido, one of those chosen for the programme, now works full-time at the hospital. This gives her the ability to support herself and her family.