The Bucks County Workforce Development Board and the Bucks County Commissioners announced the selection of Billie Barnes, who has a quarter-century of workforce experience, as the agency’s director.
“We are excited to have someone of Billie’s experience and background for Bucks County,” said Dennis Jones, chairman of the workforce development board and regional manager of USS Real Estate. “Her experience in the workforce development and training industry will be of great value and benefit to employers and job-seekers throughout the county.”
Barnes started her official duties as director on Aug. 26.
She holds a Master of Education degree from Widener University and a bachelor’s degree from Temple University, and has more than 25 years of experience in workforce development in various roles at the Philadelphia Workforce Development Board, Bucks and Montgomery County community colleges and, most recently, the Department of Employment Services in Washington, D.C.
“I am thrilled about the opportunity to serve as Bucks County Workforce Development Board director,” Barnes said. “It is an exciting time to be in Bucks County, not only in the realm of workforce, but economic development as well.”
She said she is “eager to join an outstanding team of dedicated professionals and draw upon my 25 years of workforce experience to help fuel Bucks County business growth while investing in the county’s human capital.”
Barnes said she is eager to continue a partnership with Bucks County Community College through expansion of the Metal Works program and developing non-traditional apprenticeship opportunities for CareerLink customers.
“Additionally,” she said, “it is my plan to create innovative, cutting-edge workforce services such as a mobile service operation to address the needs of Bucks County residents in communities where they live as well as to enhance job readiness, training and job placement options offered to ‘recently returning citizens.’ ”
The Bucks County Workforce Development Board is one of 22 workforce development boards in Pennsylvania that work to ensure that Bucks County’s workforce system – covering numerous agencies and multiple disciplines – meets both employers’ needs for skilled workers and workers’ career and economic advancement. For more information, see bucksworks.org. ••
