State awards more than $1.2M in grants to six apprenticeship programs

The Pre-Apprentice and Apprenticeship Grant Program recently awarded more than $1.2 million to six apprenticeship programs statewide.

The program helps employers with talent recruitment and development by helping them increase apprenticeship availability. Funding can be used for expenses regarding instruction that complements on-the-job learning.

“These programs create talented new pipelines of workers that meet the demands of our existing businesses while also making Pennsylvania more attractive to companies looking to locate here,” Gov. Tom Wolf said.

FortyX80 in Allegheny County was awarded $297,000 to partially underwrite 14-weeks of required technical instruction that is needed to fill entry-level IT jobs for 90 apprentices.

The Steamfitters Local Union #449 in Butler County was awarded $297,000 for welding classes for up to 40 students.

The Chester Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committee in Delaware County was awarded $297,000 for a five-year apprenticeship program designed for journeyman electricians. The program includes 900 hours of classroom and lab training and 8,000 hours of on-the-job training.

Global SFC/Valve in Somerset County awarded $8,777 to train apprentices on how to inspect the company’s valves and other parts to ensure there are no defects.

CTE in York County was awarded $8,135 to fund the classroom portion of a tool design apprenticeship program.