PAsmart initiative awards nearly $4.8 million in grants

The PAsmart initiative recently awarded nearly $4.8 million in PAsmart Industry Partnership Grants to 26 recipients that have innovative plans to meet local and regional workforce needs.

“Pennsylvania employers are hiring, and they need more skilled workers,” Jennifer Berrier, Department of Labor and Industry secretary, said. “PAsmart was created to help close the skills gap and allow more people to get the education and training they need to get those good jobs. The 26 grants announced today enhances the Wolf Administration’s goal to build the strongest workforce in the nation.”

Grant winners include:

The Pennsylvania Steel Alliance was awarded $250,000 to align workforce, education and economic development partners with steel industry business and labor leaders.

The South Central Manufacturing Industry Partnership was awarded $250,000 to achieve its goal of changing the image of the industry, creating innovative programs in training and outreach, providing high skill technical incumbent worker training, and driving more individuals into manufacturing careers.

The Southwest Corner Advanced Manufacturing Next-Gen Sector Partnership received $144,000 to conduct diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives that reach underrepresented populations in the manufacturing sector, business and education roundtable events, manufacturing career promotion and incumbent-worker training.

The Westmoreland-Fayette Manufacturing Industry Partnership received $142,444.50 to convene industry partners for employer seminars and workshops.

Since its founding, the initiative has distributed nearly $60 million.