wt —. The Dallas Post Dallas, PA Wednesday, July 22, 1998 > Offset, Penn State enter in unique training partnership By RONALD BARTIZEK Post Staff DALLAS - Forming a unique relationship, Penn State Wilkes- Barre and Offset Paperback Manu- facturers have launched a workforce training partnership in which all employee education at the plant will be managed by Penn State Wilkes-Barre. “We've made a big-time com- mitment to training,” said Ken Getz, Offset’s personnel manager. “But it was time to step back and say, ‘Maybe someone from an edu- cation background should do this’.” As part of an effort to achieve coveted International Standards Organization (ISO) certification, Offset built a training and educa- ‘tion center in a separate building behind the main plant. But it became apparent that training sometimes distracted employees from the work of printing 300 million paperback books a year. ~~ “Itbecomes extremely demand- ing,” Getz said. He gave computer training as an example, in which it wasn’t unusual for Offset train- ers to find it difficult to keep up “We've made a big-time commitment to training.” Ken Getz Personnel Manager, Offset Paperback with changing hardware and soft- ware, even as they were charged with showing others how to work it. As a result, the company hired an outside trainer a couple of years ago who can teach a mixed group of employees two or three programs at once. Training is a key aspect of achieving ISO certification, a de- manding process that forces a company to institute systems to assure a consistently high quality product or service. “You must say what you'll do, and do what you say,” Getz said. “It's extensive.” Now, Penn State will take over management of all training in the plant. “A big part of that job is assessment” of what training is required, Getz said. “Penn State will be responsible for determining what the training needs are for all 700 Offset em- ployees,” said Janet Rosenbaum, Penn State continuing education representative who will adminis- ter the program. Offset has contracted with Penn State since 1983 to provide man- agement training and other ser- vices. Arecent program was more extensive; Penn State assessed the need for training of mid-level managers in-1994, and produced a training schedule that went through 1996, Rosenbaum said. The difference now will be that Penn State will plan and manage all training, functions that in the past were handled by Offset’s Human Resources Department. Until now, most of Penn State’s contribution has been in man- agement training — such as ses- sions dealing with supervision, planning and communication — but the university will now coor- dinate other education resources. For example, Luzerne County Community College developed a computer graphics program for Offset, and its use will be man- aged by Penn State. Getz said the company solic- ited proposals from other colleges, Churches are "Hooked on Jesus" “Hooked on Jesus” was the ‘ theme for this year's Ecumenical Vacation Bible School held re- _ cently at Shavertown United Meth- *odist Church and sponsored in vpart by St. Paul's Lutheran i Church, Shavertown. ~~ More than 80 children and ‘youth participated in the week- -day morning program centered on the Beatitudes and kicked off ‘with a picnic on Sunday after- ‘noon. The site-based lessons were “presented in such places as “Com- fort Cove”, “Belief Reef” and “Pa- (tience Peer” where they enjoyed snacks, games, and crafts using ‘the fishing theme. The children ‘were assisted by more than 25 ‘adults. The mission emphasis benefit- ‘ted the “Rikki Sue Shotwell Fund.” COOK'S PHARMACY [ e Computerized Prescription Service ® Russell Stover Candies ® Greeting Cards ® PA Lottery Tickets e Newspapers ® Magazines 159 N. MemorialHwy., Shavertown, PA POST PHOTO/RON BARTIZEK ‘Patrolman Martin Maransky of the Kingston Twp. police department stretched a yellow police line "across the entrance to Luzerne National Bank Friday. The branch was closed the rest of the day for a ‘robbery investigation. 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Priced for economy, laundered with pride Town & Country Cleaners Check out our New Store Hours Monday - Friday 6:00am - 7pm ® Sat. 7am - 5 pm The Professional Edge * The Personal Touch A member of the International Fabricare Institute, \_ SE the association of professional drycleaners and launderers. ow p) Cleaners eT e——— Traiting fousther: shown at the Offset Paperback plant in Dallas to announce a training partnership, from left, Ken Getz, Offset Personnel Manager; Adam C. Crahall, Offset Director of Human Resources; Dr. Mary Hines, CEO, Penn State Wilkes-Barre; Joseph Makarewicz, Offset Executive Vice President; Ina K. Lubin, Penn State Director of Continuing Education; Janet Rosenbaum, Penn State Continuing Education Representative; Michael J. Gallagher, Offset CEO and President. - but felt Penn State offered the best overall program, and ex- pressed a willingness to provide the best training, no matter what the source. Penn State is already working to develop training resources, and Rosenbaum has been in contact with Dr. William Roswell, a main campus professor and author of several training and development Robbery (continued from page 1) the thief is being circulated. He is described at a white male, ap- proximately 6’ tall, with a thin build. Leandri said the:bank holds regular meetings on security, and employees are retrained every few months. “The staff acted accord- ing to our guidelines,” he said. Leandri said the main office in Luzerne was held up about four years ago, and the thief was cap- tured within a couple of days. George Maculloch, branch manager, said most bank robber- ies are solved, but arrests usually get much less exposure than rob- beries. He cited a robbery at an- other bank earlier this year, in which the thief turned himself in a few days later in Pottsville. The robbery was reported in the news, but the arrest was not. 4 SHACKUS MAXIMUS (great food!) ET texts. Rosenbaum said training will be tied to specific pusmess objectives. “It is a very unique project for Penn State to be involved in,” said Ina Lubin, director of continuing education. A full-time Penn State employee will work at Offset to implement the program. Rosenbaum will administer the partnership from her office at the Lehman campus. “It's a brand new position,” Rosenbaum said. The job was’ posted at Penn State last week, and is being advertised. The aim is to fill the position by late Au- gust. The Penn State/Offset agree- ment began July 1, and is renew- able annually. If you'd like to meet in hidden caves, have d Battle of Wits with Roman Soldiers, and be ON dangerous secret missions, make sure you don't miss this year's 'KidVenture' ~ July 26 - 29 at Back Mt. Harvest Assembly, 2340 Carverton Rd. Trucksville 5-8pm every night, for kids 5 - 12 years old KrazyKid Games, Prizes, and The Catacomb Store and best of all, you'll find out the biggest secret of all time! There's Something for everyone! 2 696-1128 for more info
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