Wolf announces new funding for apprenticeship program for electricians

Gov. Tom Wolf announced Tuesday the approval of new funding for the Western Pennsylvania Chapter of Electrical Apprenticeship Corporation’s Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC).

The grant will come from Wolf’s Manufacturing PA initiative.

“This administration has been steadfast in its commitment to strengthen Pennsylvania’s workforce. Programs like the one the Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee has presented, are just as committed,” Wolf said. “Their responsiveness to the growing demand for skilled workers is what will help push PA forward and continue to boost our economy.”

The grant will provide $297,810 to assist the JATC in training skilled electricians. The new funding will enable the JATC to increase enrollment to 135 first-year apprentices for the 2019-2020 school year from the average enrollment of 80-100 first-year apprentices.

Apprentices in the program attend electrical training school over five years and take academic courses at Community College of Allegheny County in Math, English, Physics and other subjects. After completing the five-year program, an apprentice earns an associate degree and a Journeyman/Wireman ticket. They’ll also receive on-the-job training with area manufacturers such as Alcoa, US Steel, Clarion Boards, Domtar, Wabtec, T.P Panel, Crown Castle and Range Resources.

The JATC covers all costs for apprentices, including training school tuition, college courses, laptops, textbooks, and software.

“The Western Pennsylvania Chapter of Electrical Apprenticeship Corporation’s Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee would like to extend a sincere thank you to Governor Tom Wolf for awarding our apprenticeship program a grant that will help us to continue to train skilled electricians for the Pennsylvania workforce,” Paul Reinert, training director for the JATC, said. “As the director of training, I have worked hard to ensure that our program provides each apprentice with the knowledge and skills to become an asset to the electrical industry. Through this grant, we will be able to continue providing materials and training on not only the basics of electrical work but also new and ever-changing technologies.”