The CORE Academy offers a free on-site visit to assess your organization’s needs and make a training recommendation before you commit to anything. The CORE Academy works with organizations across Northeast Pennsylvania on training and development opportunities that build lasting capability, not just check a box. Some people come to The CORE Academy for themselves. Others come on behalf of a team. The path you take depends on which one you are.
Most of what we deliver for organizations is shaped to the team in front of us, not lifted off a shelf. If you have a specific problem, start there. We will help you scope the right response. For larger engagements, the work often begins with an organizational assessment and grows into a multi-month partnership. Browse upcoming class dates, compare your certification options, or talk to us about an engagement for your team. For longer guides on certifications and workplace training topics, read the The CORE Academy blog.
CORE stands for Creating Opportunities for Reflection & Education. We start by understanding what a person or team actually needs, then we teach in a way that connects to how the work gets done. Less theater. More usefulness. That philosophy shows up in small ways. Class sizes that allow real practice. Trainers who answer questions instead of rushing the room. Workplace engagements that begin with a real conversation about what is going on inside your team. We are a Pennsylvania Quality Assurance System (PQAS) Approved Organization, and a Pennsylvania Department of Education Act 48 Approved Provider. Applications are in process for CEU and CPE credits. Learn more about The CORE Academy and our team below.Â
You may need a particular certification for work, a credential for a clinical program, or just the confidence to act when something goes wrong with a customer, patient or child. Our American Red Cross CPR, First Aid, AED, and Basic Life Support classes are hands-on, paced for adult learners, and built around real situations. Teachers, coaches, childcare staff, and people entering healthcare fields all train with us.
Something in your team needs sharpening. Communication. Leadership. Behavioral response. Onboarding. Many of our organizational engagements begin with a conversation and an assessment, not a workshop. We build a plan that scopes the right work before we deliver it. Schools, nonprofits, healthcare-related teams, and service providers work with us when they want their staff sharper.
As an American Red Cross Licensed Training Provider (LTP), we run two American Red Cross certification paths: the combined First Aid, CPR and AED class, and Basic Life Support (BLS). We also teach Youth Mental Health First Aid, which is certified by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. Choosing the right one may depend on your role, your program requirement, and the level of response training you need. Basic Life Support (BLS) is the more advanced certification required in clinical and patient-care environments such as nursing, EMS, and medical assistant roles. If you are not sure which one you need, visit the certifications hub.
The CORE Academy works with organizations across NEPA. Our tailored workplace training engagements span the kinds of organizations whose staff are doing people-centered work where the human element actually matters. We deliver workshops on-site, in our Wilkes-Barre training space, or in formats blended around your schedule. The organizations we work with come to us at a specific decision point. We scope workplace training to mission-critical capabilities for organizations.
Youth Mental Health First Aid focuses on training adults (such as parents, teachers, and coaches) to recognize and respond to mental health crises in youth.
RegisterTraining will pair CPR and First A into a single class. This is the most comprehensive option for non-clinical roles as its comprised of one session for two certifications.
RegisterThis is an advanced certification for healthcare and patient-care professionals. Training covers team-based resuscitation and clinical-level emergency response.
RegisterEvery organization faces unique challenges and we’re here to help you find the right solution. Whether you need targeted training for a specific issue or a long-term development strategy, we’ll help identify the best approach. Personal and professional development that builds practical, lasting skills. Our customized training programs include:
For larger initiatives, we begin with an organizational assessment and build a customized training partnership that can continue monthly, quarterly, or over multiple phases.
Being based in Wilkes-Barre changes how we work. We are easier to schedule with, easier to reach when something comes up, and we can come to you when on-site training makes more sense than scheduling around a classroom. We serve participants and organizations across Wilkes-Barre, the Wyoming Valley, Scranton, Hazleton, and the broader Northeast Pennsylvania region.
The practical advantage of choosing a regional training partner over a national LMS subscription or an out-of-state provider shows up in the small things. When you call to ask a question about a class, you reach the same person who runs the training.
Training ProgramsWhen you need a group certification scheduled around your team's actual availability, we work around your calendar, not the other way around.. When your organization is thinking through a broader engagement, you meet the people who will deliver the work, not a sales representative three steps removed from delivery. For schools, nonprofits, and service providers across NEPA, that responsiveness is what turns a vendor into a partner.
The CORE Academy operates as a regional training resource, not as a credentialing factory. That orientation shapes everything from how the certification classes feel to how the long-term consulting engagements get built. Closer is better, and not just geographically.
Group WorkshopsWhat Our Partners Say
As a CEO, I have learned that the success of any organization is directly tied to the strength of its employees and leaders. Our partnership with The CORE Academy has been instrumental in helping us invest in both. From leadership development workshops and behavioral management trainings to trauma-informed care programs and staff development initiatives, their team consistently delivers meaningful, engaging, and high- impact learning experiences.
The Core Academy provided exceptional training and support to our team at AspenGold Behavioral Health. Their commitment to developing skilled & compassionate professionals has had a direct impact on the quality of care we are able to provide to young children with autism spectrum disorder.
I have worked with many consultants and training organizations over the years, and it is rare to find a partner that takes the time to truly understand your organization before offering solutions. Rather than presenting a generic program, they listened intently, asked meaningful questions, and sought to understand both our opportunities and our challenges.
Â
Â
Jennifer Lutsey, LCSW | Executive Director, The CORE Academy
