Northhampton News

The Chester County Economic Development Foundation (CCEDF) will be creating a new program for high school students in Berks and Chester Counties focused on linking agriculture and manufacturing thanks to a $200,000 grant through the Manufacturing PA Training-to-Career (MTTC) Program.

Gov. Tom Wolf said that program will be called “Bridging Agriculture and Manufacturing in Berks and Chester Counties,” and is designed to “develop, deliver and evaluate career awareness and exploration,” according to an April 5 press release.

The program involves CCEDF’s AgConnect and the Manufacturing Alliance of Chester and Delaware Counties Industry Partnerships, the release stated. Students in Kutztown, Octorara, Oley Valley, and Owen J. Roberts High Schools are eligible.

“Highlighting the connection between agricultural and manufacturing careers not only readies high school students for the workforce, it also broadens their horizons and helps them discover new career possibilities,” Wolf said in the release. “CCEDF’s program will inspire a new generation as it exposes them to how these two key industries work together to employ Pennsylvanians each year.”

Students will be able to participate in a variety of career showcases and workplace readiness programs, as well as take part in “Circuit Days” where they will get to visit multiple manufacturers during the day, the release stated. The program will provide real-world experience for students that will ready them for the future, as well as help businesses have entry level candidates obtain skills as they go into the workforce.

Since October 2017, the Manufacturing PA Initiative has funded 66 projects and invested $14.8 million through the Training-to Career Grant program, according to the release. It helps with job placement and assisting youth and those with barriers to career opportunities.

“CCEDF and AgConnect have been serving the agriculture community for more than a decade by providing workforce training, financing, and business services, and engaging our future workforce through career exploration programs,” said Gary Smith, CEO of CCEDF. “However, as technology continues to increase, we realize that many of the available jobs in agriculture are in manufacturing. We are excited to showcase the breadth and depth of career options, increasing student opportunity and helping ensure farming and manufacturing can thrive in our region for years to come.”