Funding from the Pennsylvania Manufacturing Training-to-Career grant, a part of Gov. Tom Wolf’s Manufacturing PA initiative, will be used to expand the statewide “What’s So Cool About Manufacturing?” student video contest.
The Delaware Valley Industrial Resource Center will receive $134,200, and the Manufacturers Resource Center in the Lehigh Valley will receive $169,000. The extra funds will allow the contest to be expanded to include more schools, students, and manufacturers in the future.
The contest pairs teams of middle school students with local manufacturers. The students create a video profile that explains what the manufacturers produce, how they produce their products, and why the companies are a great place to work.
The goal of the contest is to change perceptions and attitudes in the state about advanced manufacturing careers. There are 15 contests scheduled statewide for 2019.
“This administration has placed an incredible emphasis on developing Pennsylvania’s manufacturing workforce,” Wolf said. “One of the best ways to do that is by getting the next generation excited about these careers. The ‘What’s So Cool About Manufacturing?’ student video contest has steadily grown over the years. We’re excited to see it continue to grow in the years ahead supported by this funding.”