Northhampton News

In an effort to support state businesses and their workers in a variety of career focuses, Gov. Tom Wolf announced that 26 PAsmart apprenticeship programs are being awarded a total of more than $11 million in workforce development funding.

All 67 counties in Pennsylvania will be served by one or more programs, a recent press release from the governor's office said. Career fields include health care, agriculture, manufacturing, IT, education, human services, building trades and others. The grants are offered through the Department of Labor and Industry Apprenticeship and Training Office (ATO) in the PA Statewide Movement for Accountability, Readiness and Training framework.

"Today, workers have the power to demand better pay, better benefits and safer working conditions," Department of Labor & Industry Secretary Jennifer Berrier said in the release. "Pennsylvania's economic recovery from the pandemic depends significantly on what we do now to respond to those demands. Workforce development is most successful when community members collaborate to develop practical solutions to collective problems. The apprenticeship programs funded through PAsmart are precisely the types of solutions we need to meet this moment."

The Wolf administration created the ATO in 2016 to support apprenticeship programs and create a pipeline of talent, the release said. It provides outreach, education and technical support for both current and prospective apprentices. The ATO currently supports over 17,000 active apprentices, 5,000 new apprentices and 1,500 active apprenticeship programs. It has goals of expanding the apprenticeship model to nontraditional career fields and ensuring apprenticeship opportunities are available to under-represented communities across the state.

"Throughout history, apprenticeships have been a vital and necessary part of career education in certain fields," Wolf said in the release. "By expanding these important programs to more occupations and industries, we are offering Pennsylvania workers opportunities to train for family-sustaining jobs while helping businesses develop a workforce that will strengthen our economy and our communities."

In March, a new round of grant funding was made available for apprenticeship programs across the state in the building and construction trades as well. These programs have been allotted $1.5 million, and applications are being accepted until April 21.