Governor Wolf Announces $2.5 Million Available for School and Business Partnerships to Expand Job Training in Pennsylvania
Grants will prepare high school students for success in the 21st century economy
Harrisburg, PA – Governor Tom Wolf today encouraged local workforce development boards (LWDBs) to apply for $2.5 million in Business-Education Partnership (BEP) grants that will connect businesses and school districts and lead to new career opportunities across Pennsylvania.
“A key workforce development objective for my administration is to provide students with the necessary technical training to help them get in-demand, 21st century jobs. It is our goal that 60 percent of Pennsylvanians will have some form of postsecondary education and training by 2025,” Governor Wolf said. “These types of partnerships between employers and schools help students gain the technical skills they need to be competitive in today’s job market, while also helping Pennsylvania businesses find the talented people they need to succeed.”
The grant funding is available through the Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) to LWDBs; regional entities whose main role is to direct federal, state, and local funding to workforce development programs in their areas and oversee the PA CareerLink® locations. Members of the LWDBs are appointed by a local elected official.
A total of $2.5 million in funding is available to LWDBs to implement Business-Education Partnership programs. These programs increase awareness of in-demand technical careers for students, parents, guardians, teachers, and school faculty. Each of the 22 statewide LWDBs are urged to apply.
“Last year, nearly 9,000 young people throughout the commonwealth participated in Business-Education Partnership activities,” Governor Wolf added. “These opportunities support employer needs by educating our future workforce through exposure to technical careers and opportunities that exist in Pennsylvania, and places students on a path to future success.”
These partnerships connect schools, employers, parents, and students to provide career-related experiences and opportunities through soft-skills development, internships, workplace shadowing, and career mentoring, all with the goal of engaging more students in the need for technical skills required by employers.
“Governor Wolf understands that Pennsylvania’s businesses are growing and need skilled workers, and that workers want and need the education and training to get today’s in-demand jobs,” said L&I Secretary Jerry Oleksiak. “The governor’s innovative PAsmart initiative is improving coordination between state agencies, cutting red tape, and expanding access to STEM and computer science learning and job training.”
Recently, Governor Wolf signed an executive order that will help state agencies more effectively deliver workforce development services to Pennsylvanians. This collaboration will help to ensure the investments meet employers’ need for skilled workers, and that workers are gaining the skills for good, middle-class jobs that will grow Pennsylvania’s economy.
The Business-Education Partnership grants are funded through federal money made available from the Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act.
Additional details and the grant application can be found on L&I’s website. The application deadline is October 31, 2018.
For more information about pursuing an education and career in Pennsylvania at any stage of life, visit PAsmart.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
J.J. Abbott, Governor’s Office, 717-783-1116
Penny Ickes, L&I, 717-787-7530