BARRY LILLEY worked in the coal mining industry for 24 years until Dilworth Mine closed in November 2002. He took advantage of the training opportunities available for dislocated coal miners, choosing to attend the building inspection program at California University of Pennsylvania at Southpointe. When he completed the program, he applied for a position with Home Depot and was hired on the spot because of his degree and his state certifications in several residential and commercial building inspection fields. He helped to put the new store together in Uniontown and has distinguished himself as an excellent employee. He was the first employee to receive a "customer service merit award" in the Uniontown Home Depot and has received two more awards since then. He receives excellent benefits, great pay and incentives.

NANETTE “RENEE” MCDOWELL is a true inspiration to all who know her.  She began working in retail at age 16 and achieved her dream of going to college.  In college, she worked forty hours a week and went to school fulltime.  "It took me a little longer to graduate," she explains, "but it was a big accomplishment."  After she graduated, Ms. McDowell continued to work in retail and got married. Life was good. Then the unexpected happened. Ms. McDowell's husband lost his job with the railroad due to a mass layoff.  And shortly after the tragedy of 9/11, Ms. McDowell was laid off from her retail job, too.  She heard about services for dislocated workers at CareerLink so she metwith a counselor to discuss her situation.  She was referred for training at  Penn Commercial's PC Power Program -- an accelerated computer program.  Ms. McDowell distinguished herself as a motivated, competent individual with a great attitude.  Upon completing the program, she was offered a teaching position in the same school.  Again, she distinguished herself and was chosen as "Teacher of the Quarter" by her students.  This earned her a gift certificate from the school, a prime parking space, and a plaque with her name that hangs proudly in the entry way --the result of a lot of hard work, persistence and positive attitude.  Recently, Ms. McDowell was honored yet again -- she was awarded the Governor's Achievement Award for Dislocated Worker Program Participant of the Year.

JEAN WESSEL, an experienced administrator, was recently laid off from her job due to downsizing.  Eager to get back to work, she went to the Washington County CareerLink office to brush up on her reemployment skills through Southwest Training Services, Inc (SWTS).  SWTS assessed her vocational aptitudes and skills, provided case management services, including the development of an employment plan, and identified an employer who was impressed with her qualifications. Today, Ms. Wessel is working as a full-time administrative assistant, and has even better benefits than before she was laid off.  "I was pleasantly surprised at the quick response in getting job interviews," Ms. Wessel says. "I would recommend Southwest Training to anyone and everyone seeking employment."