Three apprenticeship programs in central Pennsylvania and Lehigh Valley are among 14 awarded grants totaling $4.9 million, Gov. Tom Wolf said. 

Gov. Tom Wolf has proposed a $6 million increase for career and technical education in his final budget to prepare students for the workforce. Lehigh Career and Technical Institute, (LCTI), Schnecksville, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, would be a recipient of some of that money. 

Apprenticeship programs are growing across the state to help students earn while they learn and provide employers with a stream of workers they need. Thursday, Gov. Tom Wolf announced awards totaling more than $11 million for 26 apprenticeship programs for occupations in agriculture, manufacturing, health care, IT, education, human services, building trades and more. 

AgConnect and The Innovative Technology Action Group received PAsmart Industry Partnership grants to develop the workforce in the Lehigh Valley and surrounding counties. 

A program in Berks County that helps those who have been incarcerated gain job skills was highlighted by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry this week. 

Pennsylvania is offering $12.5 million in PAsmart grants to support the growth of registered apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships in new industries and occupations for Pennsylvania workers. “Apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships create hands-on learning environments that allow workers to learn important skills while they earn,” said Jennifer Berrier, state Department of Labor and Industry secretary in a press release.

The Next Generation Industry Partnership grants work to bring together multiple employers in the same industry to collectively provide targeted job training so that students, workers and job seekers get the skills to work in those industries.

The new law establishes provisions to support workforce development career and technical education, according to a Commonwealth of Pennsylvania website press release. Act 76-2019 aims to make it easier for high school students and graduates to prepare for and fill job openings in manufacturing and industry jobs.