WORKforce PA Workforce Development Association The Voice of Pennsylvania Workforce Development

~~“As with any partnership between the public and private sectors, the workforce development system faces challenges. While some of these challenges vary from local area to local area, a few are common among Pennsylvania workforce boards. Presently, one prevailing issue that is most concerning is the state Department of Human Services' proposed redesign of the Employment, Advancement and Retention Network Program, commonly referred to as EARN. This program was designed and created by DHS to address the needs of public assistance recipients with barriers to employment, and to coordinate the existing employment and training programs available to them. EARN currently operates in all 67 Pennsylvania counties, and federal TANF/EARN funding is controlled and distributed by DHS to each local workforce development board –  all of which provide services in  every county of the commonwealth”