Northhampton News

Last week Gov. Tom Wolf announced new funding for Advance Central PA through the Pennsylvania Manufacturing PA Training-to-Career Program (MTTC) in the amount of $80,058 for the creation of five professional videos for students looking to advance in a manufacturing career.

The project will create awareness for students about Career and Technology Education (CTE) programs, a recent press release from the governor’s office said. The videos are to prepare students for entry into manufacturing careers and are also a marketing campaign showing the innovation of CTE and the various pathways they create to a manufacturing career. Additionally, they will educate guidance counselors and educators on showing how CTE prepares students.

“This is a great awareness campaign, one that benefits both students and area manufacturers,” Wolf said in the release. “It will show students and their parents all of the wonderful opportunities available in the manufacturing industry while developing a strong pipeline of talented new candidates that will help area manufacturers thrive.”

The videos will be shown to approximately 5,000 students across partner school districts in the counties of Clinton, Lycoming and Union. They will also be on the Advance Central PA YouTube channel. Print materials will also be developed and displayed in partner schools.

Advance Central PA covers 5,370 square miles—including Centre, Clinton, Columbia, Lycoming, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder and Union counties. It is designed to create jobs and make central Pennsylvania businesses competitive.

The Manufacturing PA Initiative was launched in 2017, and through $17.2 million in investments it has funded 81 projects through the MTTC program. 

“Advance Central PA is excited for this opportunity to showcase modern manufacturing and the related career and technical education programs available in Central PA that provide students the opportunity to graduate high school and quickly transition to a rewarding career and afford the lifestyle that fits their dreams,” Erica Mulberger, executive director of Advance Central PA, said in the release. “We hope this project enlightens parents, teachers, and students about these rewarding manufacturing career paths and creates a sustainable workforce for the region.”