The Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) recently awarded 26 apprenticeship programs statewide more than $11 million in PAsmart grants through the Apprenticeship and Training Office (ATO).
Grants totaled between $318,720 and $649,998.
The grants support apprenticeship programs that focus on nontraditional occupations, align with secondary and post-secondary educational institutions, serve diverse talent pipelines and underserved populations, or expedite growth through multi-county or statewide initiatives.
“Today, workers have the power to demand better pay, better benefits, and safer working conditions. Pennsylvania’s economic recovery from the pandemic depends significantly on what we do now to respond to those demands,” L&I Secretary Jennifer Berrier Berrier said. “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.”
Created in 2016, ATO supports and expands registered apprenticeship programs to include nontraditional occupations. It works to ensure apprenticeship opportunities are available to under-represented communities. It provides current and prospective apprenticeship program sponsors and apprentices with outreach, education, and technical support.
In addition to the PAsmart grants, the state awarded six ambassador networks $1 million to build and expand apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs.