With the recent creation of an Office of Economic and Workforce Development, Penn State has been taking measures to help strengthen the state's economy.

Jack Gido, Office of Economic and Workforce Development director, said the office's main purpose is to help Pennsylvania businesses and their employers.

"We are using Penn State's resources to help create jobs," Gido said.

"Penn State is partnering with many businesses to improve them, and we will also train people to give them better opportunities," he added

Fred Loomis is the head of the Workforce Education and Development Initiative, which is in the university's Office of Economic and Workforce Development.

The initiative is a joint effort between the College of Education and Penn State Outreach.

"The current focus of our initiative involves providing policy research for the state, developing new program initiatives for industries experiencing workforce shortages, and reaching out to K-12 schools to encourage better career awareness and preparation," Loomis said.

The office will also include the university's Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program (PENNTAP).

Gido was previously the director of the program.

PENNTAP was originally established at Penn State in 1965 as a partnership between the commonwealth and the university.

The program helps Pennsylvania businesses improve their competitiveness through providing technology assistance and information.

In 2003, PENNTAP helped create 900 jobs and positively affect the economy by $25 million.

Gido said that Penn State is helping businesses progress through implementing software, expanding their technology, helping companies be more productive and improving their competitiveness.

The office is also helping individuals through training and career awareness for youth and adults.

Tracey Huston, Outreach Marketing and Communications executive director, said the office works to respond to the economic needs of all 67 counties in Pennsylvania.

"It will enable Outreach to marshal the resources and intellectual expertise of the university," Huston said. "We can provide a comprehensive response to the many challenges facing the commonwealth, its people, and its businesses and industries."

Outreach director Craig Weidemann said the goal of the office is to prepare people for the work force.

This is accomplished by offering training programs for people in Centre County or near any of Penn State's campuses.

"We have been educating and training workers for nearly 150 years, and we will continue to develop programs in collaboration with our local and state partners to meet the demands of today's and tomorrow's workplace," Weidemann said.

Offices that are similar to the Office of Economic and Workforce Development at Penn State have been forming all across the country.

"Universities are beginning to realize that they can use their resources and assets to help economic development in their areas," Gido said.