By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times

With redevelopment on the horizon, Coatesville officials say they are taking steps to ensure that area residents are well-prepared, including those who may be looking for a job, interested in launching a business, or hoping to expand one.

Utilizing an ambitious, wide-ranging partnership, the city will host the Coatesville Career & Business Development Seminar on Saturday, May 3, from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Lincoln University’s Coatesville Campus, 351 Kersey St., Coatesville,19320.

The event, which is open to adults 18 and over, is free; however registration is required at www.cityofcoatesville.org. City Council Vice President David Collins said the seminar will consist of 10 different class sessions, from which the participants can choose  three sessions that best meet their needs. He said the goal of the multi-faceted program is to help people get jobs, change career paths, open businesses, or expand them – and a host of experts will be on had to facilitate the process.

“We enthusiastically applaud the city and its partnering organizations in presenting this seminar,” the county commissioners said in a joint statement. “Investing time and resources in the career development of local residents is the right way to help create jobs, and we’re excited to support this type of leadership and initiative.”

Partners in the program include PNC Bank, Lincoln University, First State Community Loan Fund, SCORE, VanDyne Insurance, Chester County Workforce Development, Western Chester County Chamber of Commerce, Chester County Economic Development Council, Laborers’ District Council, Chester County Department of Community Development, Coatesville Savings Bank, Laborers’ Local Union, Sikorsky Global, PennDOT, SEPTA, and Amtrak.

Collins said the program is designed to help participants understand what local and county resources are available to assist with a person’s job and/or career change process. In addition, he said prospective business owners will learn about  available resources, including financial incentives to operate in Coatesville. He said that the city is eager to attract new businesses and that it would also like to have a trained workforce ready to step into the jobs that are created.

The class sessions are entitled: Employment and Training Services Available at the PA CareerLink – Chester County; Employment Opportunities in the Health-Care Industry in Chester County; Labor Construction Apprenticeship Programs and Other Skilled Trades Resources;  Trending Business Culture in the Workplace and the Personal Skills Needed to be Successful; The Rewards of Business Ownership; Mistakes New Businesses Should Avoid; Successfully Launching a Business; Foundation for Business Growth; Tools and Resources for Business Growth; and Financing Business Growth.

City officials said a follow-up seminar and job fair is being planned for the summer and fall.

The doors will open at 7:15 a.m. the morning of the event for late registration. However, late registrants may not receive their first preference for  class sessions. Additional information is available online at www.coatesville.org  or by contacting City Manager Kirby Hudson or members of City Council at 610-384-0300.