Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) Deputy Secretary for Workforce Development Eileen Cipriani recently spoke with teachers and students at the Greater Johnstown Career & Technology Center (GJCTC) about Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed Statewide Workforce, Education, and Accountability Program (SWEAP).
“Visiting places like Greater Johnstown Career & Technology Center allows us to see first-hand how important career and technical education is for these students and adults, and their future careers,” Cipriani said. “Ensuring that Pennsylvania businesses have access to a world-class workforce is a priority of Governor Wolf’s, which is why his SWEAP proposal increases investments in STEM education and job training programs to prepare workers for emerging fields and careers.”
SWEAP would aim to expand job training opportunities and career and technical education for students and adult learners. It builds on the PAsmart initiative launched last year. PAsmart grants have provided approximately $30 million to bolster STEM and computer science in schools and expand apprenticeships and job training.
This year, Wolf is proposing an additional $10 million for PAsmart. The governor also recently created the Keystone Economic Development and Workforce Command Center, a partnership between state government and private sector leaders that aims to identify and address barriers, skills gaps and worker shortages impacting the Commonwealth.
GJCTC works with high school students from seven participating area school districts on developing a career path and offers a variety of fee-based general and career-specific programs for adult learners.
“The Greater Johnstown Career and Technology Center appreciates the support from L&I and the Department of Education,” GJCTC Administrative Director John Augustine, II said. “GJCTC’s mission is to ensure student success, and we meet this mission by providing the most current curriculum, technology, and equipment to our students. All of our programs provide an opportunity for students to earn national skills certifications.”