State makes available nearly $3M for Schools-to-Work program

The Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) recently made available $2.6 million for Schools-to-Work program grants.

Grants will be awarded in increments up to $250,000. Funding must be used to create learning opportunities for participating students. These include apprenticeships, internships, externships, mentorships, job shadowing, classroom training, workplace visits, or employment opportunities.

“The Schools-to-Work program grants will create hands-on learning opportunities for students, including apprenticeships, workplace visits, and internships that will create career paths to employment or secondary education,” L&I Acting Secretary Jennifer Berrier said. “These funds will help ensure that our workers obtain the industry-recognized skills, certifications or college credits needed to put them on a solid career path to employment and help meet current and future labor market needs.”

Applicants must be registered with L&I as a pre-apprenticeship program and must administer and operate the Schools-to-Work program. Applicants must be partnered with at least one school in a school district, charter school, regional charter school, cyber charter school, intermediate unit, or career and technical school.

Proposals must focus on building programs that address local labor market needs.

Federal Reemployment money funds the program. Reemployment funds support services and programs that improve employment or help individuals become employed.

Gov. Tom Wolf proposes an additional $3 billion for similar programs.