NEPA manufacturers’ group offers support to former Joriki employees

Officials with the Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center want the more than 200 individuals who lost their jobs last week due to the abrupt closure of Joriki Beverages’ processing plant in Pittston Twp. know that the organization has resources to support them.

“NEPIRC is here to assist the individuals who were unexpectedly left jobless navigate this challenging time as they transition to their next job. In addition to our online Manufacturing Jobs Board, we have upcoming training programs being offered at no cost to help individuals strengthen their skills and learn new ones,” Chelsey Coslett-Traver, manager of Marketing & Stakeholder Engagement, said Tuesday in a news release.

“Our organization is committed to assisting those who lost their jobs to not only help them thrive as individuals for themselves and their families, but to also help benefit the region. Their growth strengthens the local economy and fosters the growth of Northeastern Pennsylvania,” Coslett-Traver added.

Joriki USA Inc., a bottling plant for Coca-Cola and other products, closed its doors on New Year’s Eve. Although the company had been struggling financially as of a few months ago, the news came as a shock to the 226 workers who are now without paychecks and health insurance.

Related story: 226 lose jobs as Pittston Twp. Coca-Cola bottling plant closes

Individuals displaced from Joriki USA should visit NEPIRC’s Manufacturing Jobs Board at NEPIRC.com/ManufacturingJobs. The Jobs Board lists close to 100 regional manufacturers that are currently hiring for a myriad of positions.

They can also take advantage of NEPIRC’s upcoming no-cost training classes to learn skills that distinguish them from others in the job market. Those classes include:

• Lean vs. Six Sigma Webinar — a one-hour online training that takes place at 10 a.m. Jan. 14. Learn about two of the most prominent process improvement methodologies that organizations use across industries.
• Leadership Development Essentials Seminar — a two-hour training, ideal for managers and supervisors, at 8:30 a.m. Jan. 29 at TekRidge Center in Jessup. Attendees will explore topics that include self-awareness, power and authority, risk and failure and leadership style. Most who attend this seminar go on to participate in NEPIRC’s eight-week Leadership Development Essentials program, which helps individuals become stronger, more impactful leaders.
• Coffee and Coaching Workplace Safety — a two-hour in-person training at 8:30 a.m. Feb. 4 at 646 W. Park St., Honesdale. Join Brian Matyjevich, NEPIRC’s authorized OSHA outreach trainer, to learn more about current workplace safety trends, risk assessment and avoidance and OSHA updates.
• High-Impact Leadership Seminar — an introduction to NEPIRC’s newest leadership program. Led by Leo Gilroy, NEPIRC’s director of Leadership and Organizational Development, the training takes place at 8:30 a.m. on Feb. 4 at TekRidge Center in Jessup. The interactive session will provide a high-level overview of personality style, psychological safety, high-performance teams, emotional intelligence, innovation by design, project management and strategic mindset.

To learn more or register for any of the trainings listed, visit www.NEPIRC.com/Training or email Chelsey Coslett-Traver at Chelsey@nepirc.com. Stay up-to-date on trainings and programs by visiting NEPIRC.com and signing up to receive NEPIRC’s e-newsletters.

NEPIRC is a public-private partnership providing technical, engineering, consultative and training services to small and mid-sized manufacturers across an 11-county region of northeastern, northern and parts of central Pennsylvania.