CentreREADY™ is a voluntary collaborative workforce-development initiative of the Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County and all five of the county’s school districts and its two career/technical training institutions.

The program is designed to build a better local workforce; one that best matches Centre County employers with employees who possess the six desired core skills and competencies necessary to work effectively and succeed in the workplace.
CentreREADY™ represents a true community response to the long-term hiring needs of the region’s employers.

Six attributes of a CentreREADY™ worker:
-Work Ethic
-Communication
-Tactfulness/Manners
-Teamwork
-Critical Thinking/Problem Solving
-Understanding Supervision/World of Work

Since the program begin in 2019, 346 students have graduated with the CentreREADY™ designation from Bald Eagle, Bellefonte, Penns Valley, Philipsburg-Osceola and State College High Schools, along with South Hills School of Business and Technology and the Central PA Institute of Science and Technology (CPI).

Student Madeline Krentzman received her CentreREADY™ certification through State College Area High School and believes completing the program helped prepare her for the workforce after college.

“I am thankful to have a certification that incorporates so many of the qualities of a valuable worker on my resume,” she said.

Staff members of participating school districts and technical training institutions work with students to become CentreREADY™ under curriculums unique to each school. Students who complete the program are recognized during graduation ceremonies and presented with a certificate and honor cord by CBICC leadership.

“CentreREADY™ is a wonderful program that encourages students to strive for the important qualities sought after in the workforce,” said Debbie Couturiaux, the coordinator of the Practical Nursing Program at CPI. “Centre Ready recognizes and rewards them for achieving standards that will guide them to success.”

Bridget Ciolkosz teaches marketing at State College Area High School (SCAHS) and sees first-hand the impact the CentreREADY™ program has on students.

CentreREADY™ students are able to apply skills they are learning in the classroom to a real-world setting,” she said. “They are learning skills they will utilize in any career field.”

Students who graduate with the CentreREADY™ designation can display the seal of approval on their resume when applying for jobs. Employers will immediately know which applicants possess the six CentreREADY™ soft skills.

Business supporters are also encouraged to display the “We Support CentreREADY™” logo on their website and in their employment advertising.
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For more information about how CentreREADY™ prepares talent to excel in Centre County careers, visit CentreREADY.org.