Nearly $1M in funding announced for Chester County job training, workforce development programs

The Chester County Economic Development Council (CCEDC), in partnership with the Chester County Workforce Development Board, received almost $1 million in job training and workforce development funding for joint programs that support businesses in key industry sectors.

Gov. Tom Wolf announced the funding last week, which will be awarded through the Commonwealth Next Generation Partnership grant program.

“The Commonwealth’s Next Generation Partnership grants have provided significant support for our region’s high-priority industries. Having access to these grants is especially critical during the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing us to provide valuable resources to help employers address their business and industry-wide challenges,” CCEDC Chief Human Resources and Marketing Officer Marybeth DiVincenzo said.

According to CCEDC, more than 1,400 employers from Chester County and the region participate in CCEDC’s industry partnerships each year. Over the past 14 years, the partnerships have collectively trained an annual average of 2,200 workers and provided critical career exploration opportunities for more than 6,000 students.

The Commonwealth Next Generation Partnership grants include $250,000 for the Innovative Technology Action Group (ITAG); $250,000 for Health Care Connect; $220,000 for the Manufacturing Alliance of Chester and Delaware Counties; and $220,000 for the Smart Energy Initiative.

“This funding allows us to continue to close the skills gap so people can be trained for higher-paying jobs, as well as provide programs that connect employers with qualified job candidates,” said Patrick Bokovitz, director of the Chester County Workforce Development Board. “Now we can ensure that our major industry sectors remain strong and provide jobs at a time when Pennsylvanians need them most.”